Summer can often mean spending more time with others, by way of heading to crowded beaches, family and/or class reunions, and plenty of time sitting next to others in construction traffic. In the spirit of togetherness, this week’s new music playlist features several collaborations as well- Travis Barker has teamed up with Tyga, Kid Ink, Ty Dolla $ign, and Iamsul, NERVO and Kylie Minogue pair off for an interesting duet, and Future & Dej Loaf join forces for another new track.
Nobody likes to be the last to know about the next big thing; head over to Spotify and cop this week’s latest before Friday shows up.
9. Falling by Here We Go Magic
A band whose style is characterized by “whatever strikes their fancy” has released this cheery track dedicated to art of falling for something, and the ensuing feeling of everything falling apart around you as well. The first we’ve heard from the explosively creative band out of Brooklyn in years, the track takes the listener to dizzying peaks, and a sudden drop off towards the song’s end, leading one to believe that the falling referred to in the song resulted in a slip into the abyss.
8. Disarm by Kaskade, feat. Ilsey
File under high quality EDM, Kaskade’s latest brings to the table exactly what has made him successful – identifiable ownership of all beats on the track, while using a fresh new voice (Ilsey’s) to promote the song’s best qualities. The song itself is easy on the ears, subdued and fit for disarming after a long day at the office, or before heading out for a night on the town.
7. Baby One More Time by Tove Stryke
Containing those three opening notes that brought Britney Spears instant worldwide fame, now seventeen years later this 22 year old pop temptress out of Sweden covers the track to full revival. The song makes no attempts to cover that there’s not much that can be done to create a stark contrast, it’s still fun to revisit it in a new way, esp. the new break around the 2 minute 50 second mark.
6. I Will Go by Jim Adkins
Without knowing or running a Wikipedia check on the artist’s name, it would be easy to assume by the simple style of I Will Go that Jim Adkins is a newcomer to the music industry, wet behind the ears and eager to get himself known. Not the case here, as Mr. Adkin’s fronted the rock band Jimmy Eat World for 21 years. Referring to his solo career as “life outside the pattern” via his website, I Will Go is a beautifully told tale of leaving drenched in sadness. Listen to as a B -side to (#2) Jill Scott’s “Closure.”
5. Mountains At My Gates by Foals
Featured not too long ago on this countdown at the number one spot with What Went Down, we’ve received more reassurance that the band’s album, titled after the proceeding title, will be major. Reaching an exhilarating fever pitch, Mountain At My Gates is much lighter but just as impactful. Prepare yourself for the epic break – “give me some time, show me the foothold from which I can climb to stir things up again.”
4. Amadeus by Family and Friends
First garnering attention last year for My Life, My Love this folk group with a staggering seven members is back with an heartfelt musical love letter penned for, you guessed it, their family and friends, and now adding to that, fans around the globe. Their latest EP, XOXO, contains just six songs; Amadeus, a solid standout, has the band crooning “If for the love in your heart, let it out let it out!” Much like in real life, one can feel completely revived after spending a brief amount of time with Family and Friends.
3. DNA by Clairity
Carrying a voice and issues in the realm of Marina and the Diamonds, Clarity sings with a (no pun intended) clarity and collectedness that comes through crystal clear on each song of her first EP, Alienation. DNA examines the differences between us that cause us pain, and concludes “when you tear it all apart, it’s just DNA.” A track that’s easy to listen to on repeat, Clairity is likely to find herself among the choice few who can can count themselves as reigning alt-pop alterna princesses.
2. Closure by Jill Scott
Following a sweet groove with a whole lot of funkiness and SASS, Jill Scott’s latest is an empowered lesson learned about a woman craving a little more sugar in her bowl, a deeper connection within romantic relationships. Adding major personality to the song, the artist highlights a few perks he’ll be missing – homemade waffles with fresh strawberries and the agave sweetener to be exact. Scott’s fifth album, Woman, carries many more similar sentiments.
1. Pretend by Seinabo Sey
‘Things are going just as they should, knock on wood’ Seinabo sings in the chorus of Pretend, a verse that could accurately describe the previous and current year for the talented songstress, who has been stock piling awards in her native Sweden, in particular winning best newcomer at the 2014 Swedish Grammy Awards. Enrapturing from the start, Pretend highlights Sey’s powerful vocals, which carry way more soul than seemingly possible for a 24 year old. For further reference on how to groove to this, see here.
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