With so many great new songs floating around lately Spotify took note and jam packed this week’s New Music Friday playlist with the goods, adding an extra eight tracks to the typical fifty. To make sure we’re not missing out on any gems either we added a bonus track to the top 10 list too. Some high notes include Alicia Keys lamenting about too many similarities on In Common, Fifth Harmony offering themselves as better than a piece of paper on Write On Me, and Fitz and the Tantrums showing sometimes things are just complicated on, you guessed it, Complicated.
You know the drill; head over to Spotify to catch the full run down on new releases this week; also be sure to keep your eye on New Music Friday All Stars, for weeks past of the best new music.
11. Figure It Out by French Montana, Kanye West
With artwork that appears to be an open bible and a soulful soft opening melody, it feels like French and Ye are takin’ us to church, with the auto tune cranked up to the max, just because. And even though the song’s central theme ‘I can’t figure it out’ is repeated over the course of the song, it seems these two are trying their best to put all the pieces together. The song’s vibe is perfect for when you want exposure to the softer side of rappers known for their brashness and hard attitudes. Catch Nas on a few verses on the tail end of the song.
10. Daydreaming by Radiohead
One of the top trending topics we couldn’t escape this week was “Radiohead Has Disappeared From The Internet,” reporting that information on the band’s website was slowly disappearing, and all the posts on their social media had been erased. While this initially felt like it was pointing towards an imminent end, it turns out it was just a fancy, nonsensical way to promote singles and a forthcoming album. On Daydreaming wind chimes and piano keys do their thing while Thom Yorke sings softly into the mic, and then of course things gets weird, warped, and mangled- but with Radiohead we wouldn’t have it any other way.
9. Dive by Blondage
There’s a few things you need to know about Blondage before you dive right in. First, they’ve actually been at it for years, having just recently changed their name from Rangleklods, stating that Blondage better suits them, explaining that “it combines naivety and daydreaming with aggression and sensuality.” Secondly, they’re wailing harder than ever, Dive being an uptempo, ecstatic ode to loving life, no matter what the circumstances may be.
8. You & Me by Marc E Bassy, G-Eazy
There’s a good chance that if G-Eazy appears on a track there’s gonna be a reference to partying and bein’ about that life, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as he gets it right just about 100% of the time. On You & Me that vibe is here, but really it’s about a chance encounter with someone from that life, and it being “not us no more, it’s just you and me.” Marc E Bassy lends his R&B soulfulness and Eazy the rhymes, while the feel of the song is pure summertime reggaeton.
7. Into You by Ariana Grande
Fans already can’t get enough of Into You, Ariana’s umpteenth release before the new album, that admittedly feels like it should be here already. Into You was born ready for the dance floor, and it’s that type of jam that we’ve come to appreciate most from Ms. Grande. With a simple “So baby come light me up” you’ll be moving and swaying towards the dance floor, and resisting it isn’t advisable.
6. Loveblood by Sundara Karma
Upon the opening of Loveblood it feels like the start of something new, a great start, and a call to get your motor running. It could accurately depict the pace the band has been keeping lately, last year releasing two separate EPs and spending the the last quarter of 2015 on tour throughout the UK. Before you know it they’ll be on tour again, which includes a stop at the massive Reading Festival this summer. Loveblood will be right at home on your wake up playlist or to help you kick off a road trip.
5. 4 Degrees by Anohini
While many a pundit or internet blabbermouth has criticized the Millennial Generation’s style of music, one crictism that has its merits is that there are no classic protest songs that the sixties has so many of, but yet there is so much to be protested these days. On 4 Degrees, Anohini (formerly known as Antony Hegarty) tackles the largely unsung-about issue of climate change, envisioning a world warmer by ‘only’ 4 degrees that has ravished our trees and seas, along with a substantial portion of the animal population. The combination of the singer’s individuated falsetto and pounding drums leaves you overwhelmed, and hopefully affirming to do what we must to protect the Earth from ourselves.
4. Entertain Us by Benny Cassette
It’s a modern dilemma trying to get to know someone for who they really are, in a swirling world of Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram that uses filters to portray a life that might not exactly be reality. On Benny Cassette latest’s he tells you what exactly you can do with your social media presence, adding “We’re so bored, come and entertain us, you can’t really blame us.” And while it’s unlikely the song’s laid-back clap back will make you swear off social media, it’s a welcome reprieve from this crazy world we’ve woven ourselves into.
3. TOGETHER by Kaytranada
Arguably one of the best new artists of 2016, dropping hot single after hot single finally Kaytranada’s latest, 99.9%, is here, and it’s about 99.9% full of tight collaborations. The vibe on TOGETHER is so intricate it’s hard to tell if you want to get up and move or just keep it low key. Together on the track is AlunaGeorge, who is also having a pretty hot 2016, keeping the opening and chorus beautiful before Kaytranada lays it down. Also appearing on the album is Vic Mensa, BadBadNotGood, and Little Dragon, among others.
2. Dark Necessities by Red Hot Chili Peppers
On Dark Necessities RHCP has created a viable force, one in which you can feel the funk a-coming before it hits you, much like the building on their 2002 release, Can’t Stop. When the funk breaks it’s a little more laid-back this time around, softening the edges with soothing piano notes. It’s hard to get a grasp of what the crew means by Dark Necessities, especially with lines like “you don’t know my mind,” but it’s best to leave it in mystery. The new album, The Getaway, is set to drop June 17th.
1. CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! by Justin Timberlake
Since the drop of JT’s first song in three years, there’s been buzz that its a 2016’s answer to Pharrell’s Happy. Only this summer will tell us how the public receives CSTF!, but there’s an undeniable happy relaxed feeling that washes over you as Justin sings ‘so just dance, dance, dance, dance.’ Upon the ending it’s only natural to want more, we can’t stop the feeling!, and while the song is for the Dreamworks film Trolls, there’s no album just yet, even though JT recently shared on Carson Daly’s radio show that “he’s definitely working on a new album.” Fingers crossed.
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