There were plenty of pleasant surprises on the countdown this week, most notably ‘outtakes that don’t sound like outtakes” from Kendrick Lamar. Also making appearances were Usher getting his R&B indie on with Yuna, Miike Snow musing about a Lonely Life, and The Kills describe their rock n roll lifestyle on Doing It To Death.
Whenever you’re in desperate need of new songs, always know Spotify has got you covered. Check out the full rundown of all the latest tracks over on New Music Friday. And just for funsies we’ve kept a running tally of all the best new tracks on the playlist New Music Friday All Stars.
10. NO by Meghan Trainor
Fresh off the high of winning this year’s Grammy for Best New Artist, Meghan Trainor is back and letting you know in no uncertain terms she is NOT interested in your advances. The sound is just as catchy as All About That Bass and Lips Are Movin, while the vibe is reminiscent of Destiny Child’s Bugaboo (but without references to extinct methods of communication like MCI and pagers). Meghan’s just getting started with the fanfare for her second album, Thank You, to be released May 3rd.
9. Serotonia by Highly Suspect
One of the most tireless bands in rock n roll, Highly Suspect just released their sixth album in seven years, and according to their Google Play page have played over 800 concerts since 2009. Yowser. Practice makes perfect, and on Serotonia the band deserves accolades for its stark and blunt lyrics. The words are sobering, like sitting in a freezing car on a winter morning, waiting for the car to warm up…which may account for the California dreaming and fantasizing about slow dancing with Elizabeth Taylor and bumming a cigarette from Cary Grant. A great one to unwind with at the end of the day.
8. Bourbon by Gallant
Here at Busted Wallet we like our bourbon just a little bit more than the average bear, so when a song of the same name arrives, we take note. Gallant’s take of Bourbon has more of a sweet Moscato feel, piping his trademark sweet vocals into every note he breathes. The track explores detoxing after a love lost and “shaking like I need bourbon in my coffee cup.” Perfect for first thing on a weekend morning, when bourbon coffee is permissible.
7. On My Mind by Moxie Rala, Pusha T
After breaking onto the scene by pairing up with EDM’s wild man Steve Aoki on I Love It When You Cry, Moxie Raia is ready to take the reins. This time Pusha T makes a guest appearance, not the other way around. On My Mind is frenetic, depicting one completely overwhelmed with thoughts of another – hence the onmymindonmymindonmymind harmonies. Somewhat ironically, bringing all of this to the light makes for a smoothly enjoyable track.
6. Shovels & Dirt by The Strumbella
Shovels & dirt, shovels & dirt, it ain’t worth livin’ if you don’t get hurt – croons the six piece band from Toronto, in such a way you’d find them right at home opening for acts like Mumford & Sons. Often classified under the newly crafted category of folk pop grass, blending genres attracts a broader range of fans without risk of alienation. Shovels & Dirts is meant to be enjoyed best at sunset during a music festival in the middle of nowhere.
5. Human – Acoustic by Jon Bellion
On the original version of Human in 2014, Jon Bellion’s laments are entwined with so many electric notes and tones -or to be specific the “dip-a-dip-a-dips”- that it seemed he’d much more prefer being a robot. On the acoustic version the laments show the portrait of a man burdened by all the modern entrapments of every day life. Without the musical nuisances it creates a more clear eyed, fuller heart approach to the song, and life.
4. The Little Things by Big Gigantic, Angela McCluskey
Big Gigantic has never been one to shy away from creating a big, larger than life sound (hence the name, Big Gigantic), and here they show that even the little things in life deserve some pomp and fanfare. Knowing that the secret ingredient to stand out EDM is a dynamic voice, they’ve recruited Angela McCluskey for the ride. Will be a good one to blast at unreasonable decibels out of your car stereo when the weather takes a warmer turn.
3. Bounce by 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne
When Bounce kicks off both Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz adapt a higher pitched tone than either are known for, as if the excitement of the track was too much to contain themselves. While the pace never slows eventually the two find their vocal strides. Though Collegrove is strictly property of 2 Chainz, he took a shine to Weezy in the studio, as Lil Wayne makes an appearance on eight of twelve tracks on the album.
2. Do It, Try It by M83
When one thinks of M83 it’s typically of their massive hit in 2011 Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming and the crazy sexy cool sound of Midnight City. That vibe is still present on their latest release, but the delivery is…different. When the song opens at first it sounds like someone is messing around with a mic and a Casio; Jan Brady might describe it as positively goofy. Around the 35 second mark the professionals take over and you’re thrust into a wormhole of trancelike sound. No word yet if this will be the dominant take when Junk rolls into town, but it definitely gives us something to look forward to.
1. Untitled 03 | 05.28.13. by Kendrick Lamar
Pimp, Pimp Hooray! After sweeping all rap categories and delivering a mind blowing performance at the Grammys, Kendrick gives fans a little something to nosh on: eight untitled tracks that sound like B sides off the vibe of To Pimp A Butterfly. But unlike outtakes or bonus tracks that often feel like filler with a capital F, on unmastered untitled the rhymes are crisp and the production is on point. While there’s no aggressive banger in the mix, Kendrick has poured every bit of laidback Kendrick into unmastered, making it a can’t miss.
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