While things are winding down for the year, with best of 2015 lists popping up all over the place and the Grammy nominations officially confirmed, it’s easy to overlook that the new music machine forever rages on. This week’s list has appearances by Coldplay – more off of their technicolor album Head Full Of Dreams- The 1975, and Pusha T with The Dream; but the real stars this week are the relatively unknowns making up the majority of the top songs.
With this time of year so busy it’s easy to get caught in the swing of things and the days roll into one another, why not slow down and cap off the day with a new song or two? Head over to Spotify for the full list, and check out New Music Friday All Stars to hear the top songs in an playlist format.
9. boom boom by jennylee
While the name jennyleee might not be instantly recognizable, indie fans will most likely recognize the artist from her all female band, Warpaint, whose members having been focusing on solo projects for the majority of 2015. Jennylee, bassist, is the first from the band to put out a full album, the righteously named Right On! hit the streaming world this Friday. boom boom has that same Warpaint spirit, meandering around with trance like beats in repetition and draawnn outttt lyrics.
8. Been Around The World by August Alsina, Chris Brown
It’s hard to utter the phrase “Been Around the World” without adding “ay yai yai” and August Alsina tries his best at blurting it out at the beginning. Here he’s creating his own vibe before getting at it during the chorus from the Lisa Stansfield original, made legendary in hip hop by the mogul formerly known as Puff Daddy. The vibe here is much more relaxed, not mentioning about having been around the world because of all the player hating, but rather bragging how crazy his life has become. Be sure to check out his album This Thing Called Life, which features collaborations from Lil Wayne and Jadakiss.
7. Ready by Chaz French, GoldLink
Perhaps it’s from being easily fooled by the artist’s last name, but there’s an European rapper vibe on Ready, French’s latest from These Things Take Time. The truth is the rapper is from as real as it gets Washington D.C., as well as fellow rapper on the track, GoldLink. Chaz French has been no slacker in 2015, These Things Take Time being his second mixtape in seven months, after gaining accolades for Happy Belated back in April. Ready is laid-back hip hop at its finest, perfect for both unwinding at the end of the day or getting ready for a night out.
6. Friend Inside by Bag Raiders
As jazzy and dancy as they come, Bag Raiders have been kicking out the jams since 2006, but are not as well known in the United States as they are in their native Australia. Friend Inside has a MGMT feel to it, making you want to kick up your feet and wail along to the chorus, particularly if your friends left you behind at a festival, but you’re okay hanging by yourself because you’ve found a friend inside. Or, insert any another random scenario here. For fans of the track in the US, you’re in luck; the band just announced a 30 stop tour throughout North America.
5. Bob Marley by Grizfolk
Despite what conclusion you might leap to from the title, there’s zero reggae vibes here; it’s all alt rock indie, if for a Western feel, as the chorus has a Wild Wild West whistle to it. Alas the track is dedicated to hearing Bob Marley playing on the radio in an El Dorado driving through the American Southwest. The band is an international affair, with two-fifths of the band hailing from Sweden and the remainder Americans, who came together in Los Angeles to produce sweet sweet music. The band has been touring up a storm this year, hitting stages around the country in two months bursts; they next take off on January 21st in San Diego.
4. Nobody Dies by Thao & The Get Down Stay Dow
Known for her experimental and quirky songs, Thao and her band of low swung musicians have paired up with the equally experimental and quirky Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs. On Nobody Dies tUnE-yArDs presence is felt, but the leading lady’s voice maintains her dominance. While the song’s mission statement is easily lost in translation, it’s no bother; it’s better to drink the song in and not get lost in the details.
3. This Might Hurt by ROMANS
Another band that can’t be slowed down with multiple releases in 2015, ROMANS is back with all their moody and melodramatic magic, spitting out powerful vocals with synth heavy beats that pop. While the chorus says “This might hurt – and if it hurts, you know it hurt me worse,” but this particular type of music, which echoes the band’s typical style, goes down pretty smooth. If you’ve been frustrated at the lack of suitable tracks for ripping off a band-aid, look no further.
2. No Filter by Black Coast, Madison Love
New York producer Black Coast has a talent for finding the right voice for the vibe a track is trying to convey. In nowhere else but No Filter is that clearer, bringing Madison Love along for the ride with a straight to the point message – “I say what I want when I wanna, Take what I want when I wanna, You say I’m too wild, but baby that’s just my style.” Perfect for your uncensored friends, or better yet when you simply want to stop being polite.
1. Changes by Charles Bradley
Coming from a man who is best known for his James Brown impersonations, double takes are the norm when you hear he’s covered a Black Sabbath song….except that it’s Changes, one of the band’s least metal singles to date. The track sounds right at home in the world of soul – Bradley’s voice carries so much pain, with each word accentuated as he sings of heartache and loss, it’s impossible not to get caught up in the emotion. A can’t miss.
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