While the entire East Coast was rocked by winter storm Jonas, the music world was rocked by winter storm Macklemore and Tyler, with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis releasing an ambitious sequel to White Privilege, a 2005 track put out when Macklemore was not quite yet a household name. Steven Tyler goes all Toby Keith on us, while Wiz Khalifa promotes a good old fashioned Bake Sale.
There’s no need to let the weather get you down when you have fifty new songs for you in the queue; head over to Spotify and check out this week’s selection, from PJ Harvey to Låpsley. Need a little bit more to go with this week’s top 10? Check out New Music Friday All-Stars, a playlist of recent weeks of New Music Friday tracks.
10. I Don’t Love You by DJDS
Promoting an album is long, arduous journey, usually starting months in advance, gradually dropping singles until the drop date arrives. DJDS have been at it since late September, finally celebrating Stand Up And Speak, out this Friday. In that time there’s been a few singles, each of them as unique as a snowflake landing on your tongue. I Don’t Love You keeps it real and straightforward, the lyrics consisting only of the phrases “I don’t love you” and “I changed my mind” over and over, as if they drew inspiration from a break up text.
9. I’m In Control by AlunaGeorge, Popcaan
It’s a 2016 musical fairytale, when trop house meets R&B princess, resulting in said R&B princess spitting out lyrics that hit you like sun rays to your skin. Adding to the warmth is Popcaan, a Jamaican reggaeton All-Star, giving the song its necessary dose of reggae fusion. AlunaGeorge have been at it since 2009, one part Aluna Francis (R&B princess), one part George Reid (producer extraordinaire). Jonas be damned, this track will put you in a summer state of mind no matter where or when it’s played around the globe.
8. The Ransom by Catey Shaw
Sax skills strong and metaphor game on point, Catey Shaw takes to this week’s countdown by describing a love affair that’s become a hostage situation, giving everything her “captor” demands of her, but sorry bro, her love is already out the door. For however serious Shaw paints this love game, the song is incredibly catchy, infusing elements of eighties pop with a modern twist, spelling out R-A-N-S-O-M, and did we mention how strong the saxophone is here? The Ransom will find a good fit on a variety of playlist types, from early morning pick-me-ups to workout to getting ready to go out jams.
7. Insane In The Brain by Cold Chilling Collective
Who you trying to get crazy with Buster? Feeling like the son of Sam has never been so spirited or upbeat, as not straight-outta-Compton but straight outta Stockholm Buster Moe takes us back to 1993 for a favorite Cypress Hill throwback. He makes sure to incorporate his own touches (down to the blip of Swedish at the end of the track) by infusing a little bit of a soul into an otherwise morose subject. Great for times when you want to break out into song.
6. White Privilege II by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Compelled to share his piece, Macklemore takes on White Privilege, straight from the vantage point of where the world is in 2016. Macklemore told Rolling Stone that the song was “processing out-loud” and 8 minutes and 45 seconds later it certainly plays out that way. There’s many points the Seattle native wants to make here, but perhaps the one that carries the loudest is “We take what we want from black culture, but will we show up for Black Lives?” The song only really breaks out into “song” when it briefly incorporates Jamila Woods. White Privilege II does not have eternal staying power of classic protest songs like Get Up Stand Up or Fight The Power, but worth a listen nevertheless.
5. Unstoppable by Sia
Jay-Z famously declared “What more can I say?” on the swan song of his (fake) retirement from music in 2003, and after reviewing the titles to Sia’s latest releases – Alive-Bird Set Free-Reaper- what more does SHE have to say, she’s full of life and UNSTOPPABLE today, in all ways. The sense of an all powerful mortal being seems to be the central thesis for This Is Acting. You can’t help for cheer for Sia, after (the although massively successful) 1001 Forms Of Fear, it feels good to hear songs that have a much more optimistic outlook. Now if we can only make sense of the meaning behind the bizarre faces accompanying the wigs on the single covers.
4. Shackled Up by Alex Vargas
With a ghostly wail and soft notes from a piano, Alex Vargas ‘gets the feeling’ that he’s shackled up, and we’re along for the emotional rollercoaster. Vargas began his musical journey with the band Vagabond, who cracked the UK top 40 in 2009 with hits like Don’t Want To Run No More. Alex departed in 2010, and has been hard at work since honing his craft. It has proven to be worth the wait, as Giving Up The Ghost is a well crafted and thought out EP. Shackled Up could be your soundtrack for the remaining winter months, while the cold air has you feeling ‘shackled up’ to your couch.
3. Space & Time by FMLYBND
If Space & Time and the accompanying album Hearts On Fire wasn’t so damn good, it might be easy to get caught up as to what the band’s name stands for. I’ll save you the suspense, the band gives no clear indication as to its meaning, so let’s just say it stands for Friends Making Loud Yahtzee Ballads and Naughty Dancetracks and call it a day. In all reality the band is a six piece outlet hailing from Santa Barbara, CA that consist of a husband and wife and good friends alike. Space & Time will play well at an outdoor party when the weather makes a turn for the better.
2. Malt Liquor by Lewis Del Mar
Still flying high on the success of the well received Loud(y), Lewis Del Mar shows no signs of stopping, this time showing just how to handle your Malt Liquor. Just as in Loud(y) (in a “same same but different” manner) they build and layer like no other, starting here a little bit softer, as to not give too much thought of the song really breaking out. By 40 seconds in a steady beat has kicked in and you’re swept up again. Great for your afterparty playlist.
1. Part One – Hey No Pressure by Ray Lamontagne
The guitars are warped and full on, and the vibe? Coming in full on as well. If the sound comes off as a little “influenced” you won’t be surprised to hear that Dan Auberach of The Black Keys lent his hand in the production of the track. This is not the man singing earnestly of Trouble Trouble Trouble, this guy is so chilled out that there’s no reason to go above a rock n roll whisper. It’s the type of track designed to be enjoyed sitting in a darkened bar with sticky floors and cheap drinks.
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