Riding high off the fumes of a wildly entertaining SuperBowl weekend, the new music of the week has a tall order to keep the masses entertained. Fortunately, New Music Friday brought it’s A-game to make sure you stay enthused through your work week. Adele showed up as a bright surprise this week, allowing her single When We Were Young, that I’m sure you’re familiar with already, to appear on Spotify. The “party stars” of the nineties, Nada Surf, made an appearance as well, alongside a bluesy kickback from Leon Brides with Mississippi Kisses. Don’t miss the late addition of Rihanna’s ANTI, now fully available on Spotify.
Don’t be caught uninformed of what’s new and what’s great in music, head over to Spotify to get the full rundown from this week’s showing. And while you’re at it, check out New Music Friday All-Stars for the best of weeks past.
10. Jusfayu by KAMAU, No Wyld
Good eye (or ear rather) if this single didn’t register as “new” to you; KAMAU came out with this banger last August, and Spotify delivered it via new music Friday, “just for you.” The good news is that Jusfayu is spirited enough to hold its flavor longer than typical new music shelf life. KAMAU is also making waves for a cover of an Adele hit, Hometown Glory, that transitions directly into Three 6 Mafia’s “Stay Fly.” Bet you did not see that one coming. A talented artist with an unique take on things, certainly one to watch in 2016.
9. 29 by Run River North
Turning 29 may be dwarfed in excitement compared to turning the big 3-0, but still has significance in astrology as it marks the return of Saturn, signifying true adulthood. Astrology buffs or not, Run River North decided to commemorate the occasion when its lead vocalist, Alex Hwang, turned 29 in the middle of the night, according to their Facebook page. It’s also pointed out in the lyrics “My eyes were the first to find, 29 in the middle of the night.” There is a Of Monsters and Men style that’s present here, giving indie fans something familiar but still new and fresh to sink their teeth into.
8. New Year’s Eve by MØ
New Year’s Eve may seem like a strange topic to be tackling this week, this the first week of February, but when it comes from the pleasing pipes of Miss Karen Marie Ørsted (better known to the world as MØ) the lack of adherence to the Gregorian calendar is pardoned. New Year’s Eve starts out slow and builds with autotuned wheezes, giving strength to a powerful chorus before toning it down again. We may have missed the mark with celebrating the arrival of 2016 with this track, but it’s just in time for the celebration of the Chinese New Year of the fire monkey.
7. All I Need by Foxes
Even if you’re not familiar with the face or name Foxes, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard her voice before, as she provided the vocals to Clarity by Zedd, a monstrous hit that won them the Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2014. Steadily she’s been making a major name for herself, launching single after single from her album All I Need, that was just put out this week. Here you can get to know the Brit a little bit better, with the title track that highlights two of the things she does best; powerhouse vocals over hot beats.
6. F Cancer (Boosie) by Young Thug, Quavo
On his latest mixtape, I’m Up, Young Thug shows his heart, the titles of the tracks alone pointing to what he finds important – My Boys, For My People, Family – and what he’s all about. On F Cancer he gives a shout out to Lil Boosie, showing support for his friend battling kidney cancer. F Cancer comes off as inspired, fast, amped, and as an inspirational hip hop track it will find itself right at home on your workout playlist.
5. Something New by Zendaya, Chris Brown
It seems on her latest Zendaya took a cue from the old wedding adage ‘Something Old, Something New….’ something old and borrowed coming from the beginning of TLC’s Creep, Something New providing the title and her take on the classic. The songstress artfully incorporates preserving the song and updating it to be certified 2016. Brown chimes in at all the right times, harmonizing and providing contrast at the song’s peaks and valleys. Now if we only could find “Something Blue” about the track.
4. Summer Sixteen by Drake
On Summer Sixteen Drake really gets whatever is on his mind off his chest, first bragging about his dance moves in the Hotline Bling video, and then provides the ultimate jab at Kanye by stating that his pool, is actually bigger than Kanye’s. Kanye’s rebuttal? He has three pools. Zing! It remains to be unseen if this will start a property war between the two, but for now we can enjoy the track for all its summer sixteen freshness it has provided.
3. Make My Love Go by Jay Sean, Sean Paul
Because Sean Paul’s sound was so definitive of early 2000 music, any new tracks are immediately at risk of getting stuck in a time warp. But on Make My Love Go, this one is a keeper. You may not recall the name Maxi Priest, but when you hear the phrase “I Just Wanna Be Close To You” at the chorus, you’ll be set adrift on 1990 easy listening bliss. All of these elements combined with the input of Jay Sean, make for the soundtrack of a West Indies flavored Carnaval playlist, just in time for Fat Tuesday.
2. Ophelia by The Lumineers
It’s hard to believe it has already been four years since The Lumineers first arrived and flooded the airwaves with Ho Hey. On Ophelia they’re back with a vengeance, coming on strong in their quiet manner of tickling the ivories and delivering super likable and “it’s so easy to sing with!” choruses. It would be easy to draw comparisons with Shakespeare’s Ophelia, especially with lyrics like “Ophelia you’ve been on my mind since the flood,” but the band maintains the track is about their wild experience of becoming stars.
1. Skipping Stones by Gallant, Jhene Aiko
It would be remiss of us to not mention what a great start Gallant’s year is off to, having first gained accolades last year with Weight In Gold, and his cover of Blue Bucket of Gold by Sujfan Stevens. Now he’s the star of the show, Skipping Stones highlights his incredible vocal range, and pairs nicely with fellow ethereal R&B artist Jhene Aiko. It’s always nice to see someone with true talent succeed, and the proof is all here in the song – that falsetto is REAL.
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