While many in the music world zeroed in on twitter battles between Kanye West and Wiz Khalifa and Rihanna’s ANTI release this week, over at Spotify all attention was focused on Zayn Malik’s first single since departing from One Direction. Also of note this week includes Akon being ‘Hypnotized,’ Daughtry lending you one of his ‘Torches’ to show you the way, and Sia’s full album, This Is Acting, was finally released.
Music doesn’t always have to be full of drama to generate interest; head over to Spotify for a full rundown of new music that gains attention by simply being fun to listen to. New Music Friday All-Stars keeps the party going with new songs from recent weeks.
10. Pillowtalk by ZAYN
In the ten months since Zayn Malik announced his departure from One Direction, fans have been speculating what would come next from the former boy-band member. It seems that Zayn has gone the way of the Timberlake, trading in the smooth and hyper stylistics of pop for R&B. There’s a sense of The Weeknd’s influence, but coupled with Zayn’s cadence it doesn’t come from as twisted and dark of a place that Abel is able to get to. Adding to the hype is a steamy video with “so hot right now” Gigi Hadid. With almost 10 million plays in the three days since the song has been released, you know on its way to a becoming a huge success for this emerging solo star.
9. Used by Strangers You Know
According to the band’s website, this musical duo came together after Grady Lee snuck into a sold out Coachella one year and met the band’s other member Adam Haagen (they made sure to add that they do not condone this type of behavior). How fitting now, that the festival that brought them together becomes the festival they will be playing this year (the band will be performing on Saturday of both weekends). Make sure to catch Used if you’re at the festival or streaming it at home with the rest of us; as it’s tinged with folk, a little bit of EDM, a nice set of violins to add to the mix.
8. Kids by Katie Day
Nostalgia holds a dear spot in many a musician’s heart; here Katie Day takes us back to her childhood and all the other kids she grew up with to make it memorable. Katie took to her Facebook page after the song made it on the New Music Friday playlist, saying “I wrote it about growing up middle class in Munster, IN and knowing how to make your own fun.” Special touches to the song, whether intentional or not, are background accompaniments that sound like they’ve been lifted out of MarioKart. Great for a quick flashback to your childhood.
7. Free Stuff by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Slow and low, that is the tempo when it comes to Mr. Sharpe and his band of Magnetic Zero’s latest release, Free Stuff. There is a touch of his folkiness, as always, yet the pace is decidedly much less spirited than the hits they’re most known for, Home and 40 Day Dream. The song goes out like New Orlean’s funeral, finishing out with horns that cast the song into the night. Free Stuff finds itself on the band’s forthcoming album PersonA, out April 15th.
6. We Run by iSHi, French Montana, Raekon, Wale
It’s common for rappers from the same geographic area to come together for a track, but less common to come together for an overseas producer. Yet such is the case on We Run, a track originally released last fall, with a bunch of east coast rappers collaborationg for the greater of Sweden born producer iSHi’s skills. The song is in the news again with the release of the song’s video, shot in a slow-mo grainy black and white fashion. Worth keeping on your hot new hip hop playlist.
5. Not Above That by Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard has a public persona that’s so easy to be envious of; a natural style that she shares in ‘Outfit Of The Day’ type posts and promotional photo shoots that feel lifted straight out of the pages of Vogue. Oh and for added bonus, she’s certifiably supermodel gorgeous. But before you start hatin’ on what you ain’t got, Dawn lets us know via her latest that she’s just like us. Calling you at 4 in the morning? She’s not above that. The track is high energy and spirited, perfect for a getting ready playlist.
4. Bennie and the Jets by BØRNS
Knowing just how well he performs live, Spotify capitalized on a good thing this week and turned BØRNS set from SXSW into a Spotify Session consisting of seven songs. Aside from the (predictably) stunning live performance of 10,000 Emerald Pools and Electric Love, BØRNS threw in a few covers for good measure (also make sure to check out It’s My Party). On Bennie and the Jets, no easy cover for any artist, he adds his unique take, annunciating more clearly than Sir Elton, giving it a modern twist.
3. Stepping Stone by Lamaitre, Mark Johns
Norwegian indie electro duo Lamaitre pound out some hard hitting beats here paired nicely with the airy vocals of Mark Johns. Don’t let Johns’s first name fool you, as she is an unsigned female vocalist best known for being a part of Skrillex’s OWSLA. Here’s hoping the pair bring along Johns to Indio, as the duo is set to perform Coachella this year and Stepping Stone is an easy stand out – strong lyrics plus strong vocals plus heavy beats equals a potentially awesome live performance.
2. In The Morning by Pell, feat. Stephen, Caleborate
Nothing but good vibes here on In The Morning, it carries that feeling that today is going to be a GREAT day. The sun is coaxing you out of bed, but it’s not, like, being a jerk about it or anything. Along for this carefree ride is Caleborate, who is always sure to add a touch of eclectic to hip hop. At times the artist and his collaborators appear to be freestyling, stating at the beginning “you can talk, sometimes it makes it more soulful” and then later in the middle of track “Hey Pell can you whistle?” If there’s ever been a laid-back track from start until the track is through, this is the one.
1. Gangsta Walk by SNBRN, Nate Dogg
There are several ways to honor fallen hip hop legends – artwork, sweatshirts with their faces plastered over them, and of course the hologram. Perhaps the best is a way for their voice to carry on, and here SNBRN takes that and runs with it. An apacella track from the Nate Dogg archives is paired with a catchy as hell beat. Gangsta Walk flies out of the gate fast, creating a more gangsta boogie vibe than just a walk. Hard to believe he’s been gone five years, but tracks like this help Nate Dogg’s legacy live on by appealing to a younger audience who may not be familiar with everything in the Dogg’s catalog.
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