Every once and awhile there’s a slightly unbalanced distribution in what type of music genre sounds best each week; this time around the Best Of list leaned heavy on the hip hop side. But, as a general rule, no matter your musical preference there’s bound to be something that strikes your fancy. Kings of Leon and JoJo both celebrated the release of their respective albums, Swedish hit maker Tove Lo shows all is not well on True Disaster, while Avenged Sevenfold keeps it amped up as they take The Stage.
All of this and more awaits you; be sure to head over to Spotify and scan through the tracks yourself. Been living under a rock the last six months? Well lucky for you we we’ve kept tabs on all the best tracks in that time, all for the taking on Busted Wallet’s New Music Friday All Stars.
8. Boyish by Hippo Campus
An unlikely candidate for a protest song about saving the earth, but with lines like “I would save the earth, I would save the earth” you can’t help but wonder. When it comes to this band straight outta St. Paul, however, it falls under the indie imagery speculation rule, and it could be anything really. The important thing is that it all goes down with an artful smoothness. Big things in the works for the band, including a tour that kicked off this weekend with fellow Fresh New Music favorite Saint Motel. This one belongs right at home on your indie favorites playlist.
7. The Juice by The Game
There’s a ‘set adrift on memory bliss’ vibe accompanying The Game’s cup of Juice served here, and while the 1992 as depicted on the cover does not recall a simpler time, nevertheless it’s a nod to Snoop’s 1993 Doggystyle artwork. The song title itself is a throwback to a previous track from The Game, 2011’s ‘Who Got the Juice’ and the 1992 iconic film ‘Juice,’ with the film notably ending on the line ‘You got the juice now.’ Maybe it’s Lorine Chia’s gentle harmonies or the vibe that hits when The Game is in his laid-back mode, but this track is all chill.
6. Palm Trees by SWMRS
As much as we expect a riotous pace from punk rock, there’s also the expectation of vocal ambiguousness. Such is the case on SWMRS’s latest, kicking things off with a drawn out ‘to the top,’ with the last word delivered like a doctor has a tongue depressor firmly in place. It adds to the enjoyment, however; the repetition feels like you’re racing a pal up to the topppp of a hill. It is of note that the band (originally formed as Emily’s Army) is something of a lineage to punk royalty, if such a moniker ever existed, as drummer Joey Armstrong is son of Billie Joe Armstrong, and the Green Day frontman habitually helps out on the production of the band’s tracks.
5. Don’t Want To Know by Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar
Ah sweet chosen ignorance. Denial sounds so smooth coming from the hit ready lips of Adam Levine, backed by Maroon 5, and truth be told DWTK has all the trappings of radio readiness: easy breezy trop house vibes, gentle harmonies following a simple repetition, and a guest appearance by Kendrick Lamar. Truth we be told we were ready for Kendrick much sooner than his arrival at the two minute 30 second mark, and wished he stayed around longer too. A good choice for your ride home after a brutally long day at work.
4. Free Agent by Big K.R.I.T.
If you’re in the business of only giving 15 seconds for a song to prove itself (and let’s be honest, we’ve all been guilty) you’ll be missing out on this gem, as the track kicks off with a snippet of the rappers interview with morning show The Breakfast Club. It serves as the primer for the song’s theme; most often in the NFL you’d consider free agent to be something of a dirty word, but they way Big KRIT makes it sound so gritty, here it becomes something you’d like to aspire to be. Whether you’re watching or competing, this one will serve as major inspiration before the next big game.
3. Find Me by Kings of Leon
It’s been a quick and exhilarating whirlwind since KOL’s announced their latest album and following singles last month. The best revelation, perhaps, is that they’re not serving up anything close to filler, having taken their time to put out thoughtful material that depicts who they are at the this moment. Always something old and something new, they’ve kept with the tradition of a five syllable album names with WALLS being an acronym for We Are Like Love Songs. How do we find you Kings of Leon? Best as they’ve ever been.
2. Born Again by Saint Motel
As reviving as a refreshing dip after a hot day, or a cool shower after a sweaty workout as the case may be now that’s fall, Saint Motel helps you get born, get born again on their latest. The band uses the phrase born again as its inspiration, more of a ‘start again’ whatever your situation than pure religious connotation, that everyone is deserving of hope, and a upbeat track to back it up. Perfect for a fresh out of the shower jam.
1. Ex Calling by 6lack
Another track that started out with low-key expectations and blew our minds, 6lack first sounds like a conversation we’ve all had with ourselves looking at our missed calls list. From there the track just takes off, slowing the down on the chorus, and giving a million reasons why IDFWU in the verses. Whether it’s something you can relate with now or visions of a former you, 6lack gives us plenty reasons to believe he’s one to watch.
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