Fresh New Music – Week of June 21st

We can always count on music to keep us informed on current weather situations around the world; as the Northern Hemisphere officially kicks off summer there’s self explanatory tracks like SummerThing! by Afrojack to help celebrate, and Big Winter Jacket by The Cayucas to keep the Southern Hemisphere warm as winter passes its peak.

There’s always a chance a new favorite track might have fallen through the cracks; make sure to head over to Spotify to catch this week’s list in its entirety.

10. This Must Be The Place by Iron & Wine, Ben Bridwell

Iron & Wine’s latest is so easy going, it conjures up many images of what might be the place the song is referring to – an idyllic setting off a porch looking over golden cornfields, swinging back and forth on a tire swing, or driving through rolling hills of green. A very clever adaptation of The Talking Head’s original (first released in 1983), Iron & Wine gives the song a whole feel and location.

9. Classic Man by Jidenna, Kendrick Lamar

Already having two successes on his hands earlier this year – Classic Man the original and Yoga featuring Janelle Monae – Jidenna plays his card right again by including hip hop’s brightest star for a rhyme or two, opening up this official remix. Kendrick smoothly adds his much sought after and amped up perspective, while letting the song maintain its original voice. It can best be summed up in the line “keep my gloves dirty but my hands clean.”

8. Them Changes by Thundercat, Flying Lotus

An artist know for his ability to create otherworldly bass lines, Thundercat’s new one is full of interesting bass heavy beats, while he stylizes about a beating heart that appears to be missing from his body (Nobody move, there’s blood on the floor and I can’t find my heart!) Helping to create this funky experimental sound is one of the industry most brilliant producers, Flying Lotus, who has mastered the art of filling up the space in between the sounds.

7. Abrasive by Ratatat

A read of the song’s title could have one anticipating an ear piercing screamer of a song, but much in the way of their big hit, Loud Pipes, the title is all talk, producing out a sound that you’re sure to find agreeable. Utilizing their savory blend of keyboards and programmed beats, Abrasive hits all the right notes, creating a great mixture of temperance in the background.

6. Girl by The Internet, Kaytranada

A neo-soul insta-classic, Girl has mellowed out flyness dripping out of its soul. The duo, notably a part of the now defunct group Odd Future, scored one of Canada’s hottest producers, who has produced tracks for the likes of Vic Mensa and Mobb Deep. The song is guaranteed to put you an equally soulful and mellow mood.

5. What You Don’t Do by Lianne La Havas

Much in the way of other Fresh New Music favorites Andra Day and Alessia Cara, Lianne La Havas makes herself hard to compete with by supplying a combination of a wildly harmonious voice with superior songwriting capabilities. La Havas first hit the scene in 2012 with her stunner album, Is Your Love Big Enough? She’s back this time by pledging her love due to the all important things in relationships that don’t have be to said.

4. Good for You by Selena Gomez, A$AP Rocky

It’s a struggle for anyone who made a name for themselves as a Disney star to avoid scrutiny of every aspect of their work and how it might relate to their personal life. It would be easy to assume Selena was issuing out a sarcastic ‘Good for You’ to unmentionable exes, but really she just wants to look good…for you. Helping her establish grown person cred is A$AP Rocky, who has a short spot of the song.

3. Not You by Steven A. Clark

File this one under ‘Way harsh Steven’ and ‘Are you really breaking up with me via a song?’ Steven A. Clark spares no feelings by declaring “I want love…but not you.” Ouch. The problem with holding a grudge is that the song is super easy on the ears, and has a beat that is hard to resist bobbing your head to.

2. No Sleeep by Janet Jackson

It’s been seven years since Ms. Jackson has issued out an album, and though it’s unclear why the lack of sleep needed an extra e for emphasis, it’s shown here the Janet can keep pace with the hitmakers of today, with updated sound current with other R&B songs out now. It’s been an uncanny ability of hers to come and goes as she pleases through the years, but always managing to maintain her signature sound.

1. What Went Down by The Foals

When a song roars to life with a buzz of an organ and dramatic lyrics that finish with an annunciated dun-dun-DUN, you know you’re in for an intense one. Such is the case on What Went Down, the latest from the popular English quartet. It’s a song that build and builds, and then maintains its passionate bravado. Best listened to at high volumes with the windows rolled down.