Fresh New Music – Week of November 22nd

This week marked a big moment for New Music Friday, as the popular playlist reached over a million followers. While it’s just a drop in the bucket for big names in music, it’s a huge opportunity for the unknown and freshest of faces. Some of such big names grace this week’s list, including David Bowie, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and Omarion with Rich Homie Quan.

There’s no better place than here to hear what variety sounds like, head over to Spotify and find out what songs get you to that happy place. For a taste of best songs from week’s past and to listen to the songs in playlist form, check out New Music Friday All-Stars.

10. Stick & Move by Jazz Cartier

Proving that Drake isn’t the only rapper out of Toronto that spits hot fire, Jazz Cartier reps his city proudly, proclaiming “I’m from the snow” in the first verse. Real name Jaye Adams, and sometimes he goes by Jacuzzi, as you can hear women whisper in the intro. The song’s familiar message and corresponding metaphor doubles as a great track for your warm up before your next cardio heavy workout.

9. Victorious by Wolfmother

With a blazing beginning and a roll of the tongue, Wolfmother kicks off their latest track in a theatrical way with much aplomb. It has the rolling tempo of some of the band’s biggest tracks like The Joker & The Thief and Woman, but there’s something that just feels undeniably….happy about the song. The song’s release corresponds with the band’s announcement there will be a fourth studio album from the band, hitting the streets Feb. 19th.

8. Water by Ra Ra Riot, Rostam

Producing what can only be described as pure indie gold, Water is an easy moving composition with the band crooning in the chorus, “I jumped into the water, I jumped into water.” While not exactly a revolutionary statement on it’s own, the band makes it an act to remember, holding the topic with earnestness and revelry. You should notice the addition of Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij at work here, who helped write and produce the song.

7. Don’t You Wait by Cloves

This simple and sweet track would feel completely apropos as the soundtrack to watch the ocean/lake/body of water lap up to shore and muse over. The Aussie native has a rich and full voice that carries heavy emotion for someone of just 19 years old, that with each swell creates an enriching listening experience. The song itself has been out for months, but this week we celebrate the track as part of her LP, XIII.

6. Pelican by David Guetta

On Pelican David Guetta echoes themes of electronic dance music from ten to seven years ago, moving away from the boombastic powerhouse vocals that fills the clubs these days, opting instead for an instrumental only escapade, which maddeningly gives us no clues as to why the title was given to “Pelican.” But like all good DJs of his age, the song reaches its zenith with a drop so tight you feel like you’re cresting the top of a roller coaster, about to head straight down.

5. Trouble by Cage The Elephant

Trouble acts as another solid track off the forthcoming album Tell Me I’m Pretty (out December 18th). The track kicks off with some high pitched moody oohs, that zip around and around until you practically envision the outline around your head. As the title tells it, there’s trouble in Paradise, but an ultra catchy chorus detailing, “trouble on my left, trouble on my right, I’ve been facing trouble almost all my life.” Such sweet sorrow makes for such a sweet song.

4. Lost On You by LP

A big standout while breaking down Lost On You is the beautiful prose that are the lyrics, and it’s easy to see why; LP (the musician’s initials, Laura Pergolizzi) is a seasoned songwriter who has worked with megastars, Cher and Rhianna, familiar chart-toppers like Rita Ora and Erik Hassle, and the ‘Other’ category including Heidi Montag. Lost On You opens like a gunslinger cruising into town with tumbleweeds as the singers feet, as she raises a glass to failed relationships, much in the style of Adele.

3. So Long by Leon Bridges

Leon Bridge has constructed his latest as a long slow goodbye of few words. Like so many things in art, the backstory enriches the song’s impact, as it acts as the main theme to Concussion, a movie opening Christmas Day starring Will Smith. The film is a biological drama centering around a neurologist who sought to publicize the effect of brain damage to professional football players in the NFL. It’s a troubling story to take in for any viewer, but Leon Bridges adds grace and understanding with his peaceful track.

2. Break Away by Bobby Caldwell, Jack Splash, Jessie Ware

A collaboration of mighty forces, Break Away is a testament to the power of pairing well with those from different genres. 70s jazz and R&B powerhouse Bobby Caldwell brings out the groove from that boogie, Jack Splash acts as one today’s hottest songwriters and producers, and for the cherry on top Jessie Ware provides sweet and breathy vocals. The result is a retro flavored track with a whole lotta soul and pizzazz.

 

1. 19 In Mexico by Sofi De La Torre

If there ever was a nominee to for a female “The Weeknd” Sofi De La Torre would most definitely walk away with the crown. With tracks like 19 In Mexico off of her LP, Mess, the elements that compromise the song combine beautifully to make for a pretty, moody song for the Tumblr set. The 24 year old from Las Palmas, Spain now can draw the wisdom that age can bring, seeming as if she is simultaneously lamenting and reveling in this fact, as she coos “I’m not 19, in Mexico/We’re not just kids anymore.”