This week marked the end of an era, as American Idol took its final bow after premiering 14 years ago this June. But the beat, as always, goes on, as former judge Jennifer Lopez quickly showed up this week to prove she’s most certainly a sexy mamacita, but not YOUR mama. On the other end of the spectrum The Deftones their album Gore this week, and Nick Jonas wants you to he has a super tough life chock full of Champagne Problems.
With so much variety you’ll have to get moving quickly to get through this week’s full list; head over to Spotify for all your new music needs. Be sure to check out New Music Friday All Stars to get caught up on all the new music highlights as of late.
10. Boyfriend by Tegan and Sara
Serious new waves vibes will hit you upon your first listen of Calgary’s finest latest. It’s a breath of fresh air to be hearing from the twins, though the last time we heard from them it was a in a whirlwind with Everything Is Awesome from The Lego Movie; Boyfriend feels more on par with their typical style. The best part is that it’s all a lead in for their next album, Love You To Death, which will be here quicker than you know it on June 3rd.
9. Lake By The Ocean by Maxwell
When it comes to creating an R&B groove rolled around in neo-soul, Maxwell is always at the top of that category, and on Lake By The Ocean he lays the imagery on thick to create a blissed out superfunkadelic scene. It’s a sure thing Maxwell is happy to back in making music, times may have changed since his last album BLACKSummers’night but his sweet like honey vocals still come through clear as ever. Lake By The Ocean serves as the perfect compliment to watching a thunderstorm roll through with a glass of wine.
8. Golden Ticket by Highasakite
“Boy can you hear me now, I got a golden tickkett, I’m out!” declares Ingrid Håvik on the synth heavy indie rock band’s latest, their Nordic accents coming through clearly on the pronunciation of each word. The song meanders through different schools of thought, lamenting at the lack of happy days, declaring they need a proper high, before delivering the song’s peace out theme. It does well to bolster self esteem and get you moving, as all good cheer up anthems are wont to do.
7. Groove Tony by Schoolboy Q
There’s no one more representative of hip hop’s underground scene than Schoolboy Q, though with the popularity of Oxymoron and its subsequent Grammy nominations he’s no doubt become a popular aboveground act in hip hop. On Groove Tony, or rather BLANK FACE, Q feels as underground as ever; the whole track would do well to pair well on a journey down an empty highway towards a sketchy club scene that doesn’t start til 3am.
6. Wrong Crowd by Tom Odell
Peer pressure is alive and well on Wrong Crowd, Tom Odell’s lead single off his second album of the same name, though by the looks of the single’s font/artwork it looks like he’s been hanging around a crowd from New York Magazine. The song starts slow, with a scene of a mother begging for no more fighting, and gradually builds as the song’s protagonist just can’t help it, he don’t know how, he’s always been hanging around with the crowd. No harm no foul here.
5. Castle – The Huntsman: The Winter War by Halsey
There’s no doubt that Halsey has been having a stellar year since the release of her well released debut Badlands. With success comes opportunity, and here the bright young thing has volunteered the single Castle for use for the Universal Studios film The Huntsman: The Winter War, released in the United States April 22nd. You’ll recognize the song at its core and lyrics as still the same as the original off Badlands, but with some orchestra swells added to give it that classic movie soundtrack feel.
4. Hungry Ham by A$AP Ferg, Skrillex, Crystal Caines
Another shining piece from the star studded Always Strive And Prosper, this time Ferg gives you something to spaz out to, with spaz-tastic Skrillex laying down drippy beats, and Crystal Caines chiming in to represent for Hungry Ham, Ferg’s Hamilton Heights native neighborhood in Harlem. The influences come through hard on all sides; resisting the urge to wild out in coordination with the song’s loopy groove is HARD on this one.
3. Go! by M83, MAI LAN
At last M83’s latest ‘Junk’y project is here in full to enjoy, and on Go! it starts awfully unassuming, before (with help on the background vocals from the individualistic Parisian MAI LAN) a countdown is begun and you’re blasted off into a Universe that spins around according to the Almighty Groove. It mimics the theme of the album, which can be best described as other worldly. Fans will have a chance to hear more from the album at this week’s upcoming Coachella music festival, where the band is among the top headliners.
2. Glowed Up by KAYTRANDA, Anderson Paak
With just one listen you’re likely to be adding Glowed Up to your vocabulary, or at the very least be using as a hashtag for your next Snapchat. And what exactly does it mean to be glowed up? Nothing more than full time killin,’ Mello Yello lemon, same squad chillin. It’s a weird in a good way, bass heavy world you’ll be immediately transported to you, and with a chill so hard you won’t be aching to come home anytime soon. A match made in heaven was made between producer KAYTRANDA and Anderson’s spirit; his emergence and reign as hip hop’s best new native continues.
1. Shine by Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
There’s something achingly familiar and summeresque when Ben Harper voice comes through, whether he’s having to Steal His Kisses from you or Burning One Down, it can make even the most cynical of hearts want to rock on a rocking chair and sip lemonade on a porch barefoot. The sunshine streams straight through on Shine, incorporating classically romantic lines like “If you were all I had, I would have it all.” Perfect for your first summer barbecue.
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