The world feels much more monochrome this weekend, as we were shocked and immensely saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic & beloved names in music, Prince. It makes carrying on to the new music of the week all the more harder. No doubt the artists in this week’s list have been influenced by his one of a kind sound and style . Frequent fresh new music visitors Meghan Trainor and Kygo make an appearance with Better and I’m In Love, respectively. Popular rapper Fetty Wap gives us a call to arms, or rather a call to get out of bed, on Wake Up.
The best way to get your dose of weekly new music is Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist; make sure you don’t miss out on a hidden gem this week. Also be sure to reference New Music Friday All Stars for more new musical goodness.
10. Guillotine by Jon Bellion
The imagery is rich on Jon Bellion’s latest, as he delivers an echo-y bum de bum bum-bum bum de bum funky beat while harmonizing about being filled up and his soul set ablaze. The guillotine comes in as he says “You fill me up, even when I lose my head.” The many different styles the song takes on can leave your head spinning, but in a good way. The song is part of his certified official debut album, but the official release date is still TBD.
9. Holding Roses by Twin Peaks
You can always count on a dose of garage bank chic when it comes to Twin Peaks, with a little bit of romanticism mixed in for good measure. The song rolls in like a cool breeze before it gets to its will-get-stuck-in-your-head-in-a-good-way chorus “I’m GOOD, BAD, bay-bee” as the band strums along and pounds on the piano. As the third single off of the forthcoming album Down In Heaven, we’ve got much to look forward to when it drops May 13th.
8. Ghost by With You., Vince Staples, Major Lazer
Already funky on its own, With You. chose to take its original collaboration with Vince Staples to the next with a remix, and you can always count on next level status when Major Lazer makes an appearance. The remix starts off slower than the original but quickly outruns the original and morphs to supersonic speed. The lyrics, which include the classic line “So damn high I might see a ghost,” are still in tact as the beat ebbs and flows around them. Good for fans of the original and Major Lazer alike.
7. There Will Be A Time by Mumford & Sons, Baaba Maal
It’s both Mumford & Sons as you’ve never heard them before, and as they’ve always been at the same time, making good on their folksy “take ‘em to church” style rock n roll, but with the key addition of Baaba Maal he takes their sound to new heights. Baaba Maal is an international World music player, born in Senegal and known mostly for his Yela songs, a traditional African style of music. As you can imagine eventually the banjoes roll in, but this time there’s a powerful drum line to back it up. If ever you’ve wanted something completely original from the band, this is your jam.
6. Space by Amber Mark
There’s few things more pleasing than an artist making their debut on Spotify that coincides with an appearance on the New Music Friday playlist. Amber Mark has found plenty of ways to make her mark this way, strong vocals delivered over what can best be described as hand claps styled similarly to rhymes from your childhood. The artist describes her style as R&B Tribal according to her Facebook page, and as the bass kicks in the sound has an almost hypnotizing effect.
5. Duele El Corazon by Enrique Iglesias
The last time we heard from Enrique we couldn’t help but widen our eyes as he sang “cause I’m a freak” with a little help from fellow freakster Pitbull. Here he applies a layer of mystery and a touch of heartbreak, as he sings in Spanish about literal heart ache. The song has enough beat to make you bailas, but is laidback if you’d rather sit this one out and chill. Adding to the flair and zest of the song is popular Reggaeton act Wisin.
4. Heart Of A Dog by The Kills
Known for being a rough n’ rugged act in rock n roll, on Heart of a Dog The Kills keep it gritty n’ pretty; the guitars gradually building and dropping a funky bass line here and there. The lyrics take on the subject of everlasting lasting loyalty, and what better example of loyalty than describing oneself with a ‘heart of a dog.’ A good one to shake off the plain-ness and repetition of any week day with.
3. Bitten By The Apple by Big Black Delta, Kimbra
Let an electronic maven provide the beats and an indie pop-tress clean up the vocals and the song will unfold unto itself…a mantra adopted here that any aspiring artist should wise up to. The track is composed of Kimbra doing her thing over lightly spooky beats. It comes off the album Trágame Tierra, which, don’t be fooled, is completing in English, adopting the Spanish slang for “let me die!” only for the title and a ten minute track. The full album is worth a run-through, which includes additional appearances by Debbie Gibson.
2. Let Me Love You by Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne
As she puts on the finishing touchs of and publishes the names of the tracks to Dangerous Woman, we get a special treat here on Ariana’s latest single with an appearance by Lil Wayne. If you listen closely enough you can pick up on a faint Weeknd vibe in the verses, before the choppy staccato chorus of Let Me Love Yous. Lil Wayne accents the young pop diva nicely, dropping easygoing verses with his signature cleverness, like “My ex tripping, it’s no Biggie, I 2Pac shook her.”
1. Fireflies by Atmosphere, Grieves
A huge scoop of Minneapolis and a dash of Seattle are added to a pot, and thus begins a track whose main ingredients pair quite nicely together. Atmosphere takes over for most of the track, spitting verse after verse of pure poetry, such as “everybody gets to shine at the hotel bar, with the fireflies that fell in the jar.” The vibe here is completely chill, not a single bite of venom to be found. Take this one out during a summer time bonfire, one with -only fitting- fireflies all around.
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