Many feelings to be felt on this week’s list of new music; One Direction fans will be feeling a mix of joy and pain this week, with the band’s first release since Zayn made his departure, Sam Smith & Disclosure conjure up feelings of trepidation, issuing out an ‘Omen’ and Titus Andronicus gets adrenaline going with their latest ‘Fire Up.’
A new addition to Fresh New Music this week is the personally tended to playlist Fresh New Music All Stars, which will allow you to keep up with the last month of top 10s. For the current full list from this week, head over to Spotify.
10. Impossible by LION BABE
Already having a massively busy and big year, LION BABE is keeping at it, releasing her latest Impossible, along with three remixes. Another round of fresh female power (or people power) anthem, the diva asserts “You can break me down, shake me, no way to rearrange me, it’s impossible” throwing in a few Rhianna styled “ay, ay, ay”s in for good measure. A good one to get you moving in the morning.
9. Stare by Prince
It’s a shame Prince’s full catalog is no longer available on Spotify (who hasn’t needed a ‘Let’s Go Crazy’ kick in the middle of the afternoon every once in awhile), but to make up for it he’s dropped a new dose of funkiness for all. A funky baseline keeps the song in check, while Prince has tongue in cheek lines like ‘Everybody jam cos this party’s going H*A*M*’ and asking “Can I get a kiss?” while a cut from the classic plays for a moment in the background. We can only hope he continues with the new jams to re-up the catalog again.
8. Spaceship by K-os
The first thing you need to know upon introduction to K-os is that it’s not “kos” it’s pronounced “chaos” like kay-os. Got it? Good. It’s unsolved but noteworthy that rappers take a certain shine to the outer worldly experience (See: Kanye, Kid Cudi). This Canadian rapper has been super consistent down here on Earth since 2002, bringing his particular blend of self-analysis and discovery to exhale of deep breath of consciousness into hip hop.
7. Twist My Fingaz by YG
Funkier than an old batch of collard greens, Young Gangsta rocks it hard here, singing about his every day life as Mr. YG. As the song reaches it’s funky peak YG asks, rhetorically I presume, Do You Dance YG, Do Ya Dance? Maybe not as of late, as the popular rapper is recovering from a shooting/car accident in June. Hip hop fans are sure to be wishing him a speedy recovery so he can get back in the game so he can get back to doing his dance and cuffing his pants.
6. Bun Up The Dance by Dillon Francis, Skrillex
Dillon Francis taught us all a valuable lesson last year with his album ‘Money Sucks, Friends Rule,” and that of course is: tis better to collaborate with your friends than to go it alone. The lesson carries over into his latest, pulling in support from his old pall Skrillex. Hopefully he’s speaking figuratively here, as asks for the light, a call for a little fiyah on the dancefloor. The result is reasonably danceable electro track, with a little goofiness here and there for good measure.
5. Afterlife by XYLØ
Times are tough in XYLØ’s latest Afterlife, feeling far behind in a world of Lamborghinis, perfect skin, and plenty of cash, (not) enjoying from the view on the other side of the fence. The band then takes their aspirations to the afterlife, musing “I just wanna be loved.” As somber as things would appear, its style is in the company of Lorde’s Royals and Here by Alessia Cara. There’s a silver to be applied here, and that is sometimes there’s coolness in not being cool.
4. So Good by Beat Connections
Ever have a day that was all sunshine, everything effortlessly going your way? So has Beat Connection, apparently, because ‘So Good’ so perfectly encapsulates those days as a whole. This duo started out as a musical project from the University of Washington, the name an ode to a rambling LCD Soundsystem track. Play this while making dinner, or better yet, when you’ve had a ‘so bad’ day, to help shift it to the other end of the spectrum.
3. HELP by The Front Bottoms
The first twenty seconds of HELP may sounds like many an opener to an indie song, but once lead singer Brian Sella pipes in the with the lyrics, it’s clear there’s a punk, dare I say even punk pop aspect at play here. The lyrics are a desperate plea for being stuck in a rut or calling for a “a spiritual cleansing” after you’ve already proclaimed, “This is what I want, make it happen!” The result is pure musical magic.
2. Sorry To Interrupt by Jessie J, Jhene Aiko, Rixton
A song destined for the dance floor, Sorry To Interrupt packs a triple power play; Jessie J bringing it funky and fast, Rixton breaking it down and keeping it smooth, while Jhene Aiko closes it with her unique style of ethereal R&B. Their combined forces has an outcome of a fresh & exclusive track, ripe for the radio airwaves.
1. Getting Ready To Get Down by Josh Ritter
Cranking it up and bringing it to a speed faster than his ‘regular’ songs, folk All-star Josh Ritter takes us on a tale of concerned parents for children on the brink of adulthood. The only solution here is to haul off said almost adults to a bible college in Missouri. But as for Josh? Well he’s just getting ready to get down. You’d be hard pressed to keep your toes from tappin’ as this one gets going, mandatory listen while getting ready for a night out, preferably before heading to a folksy country bar.
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