This week showcased highly anticipated albums from Fresh New Music favorites BØRNS and Demi Lovato. Also in the mix is a new one from Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and an unlikely partnership in the form of Demi Lovato kicking out the jams with Fall Out Boy.
There’s 50 new opportunities to find your new favorite song on New Music Friday; hop to it and head over to Spotify now to get searching. Also make sure to check out New Music Friday All Stars for all of your favorites within an easy to listen to playlist.
10. Satellites by Bill Ryder-Jones
Complied with a mood as drawn out and heavy as fog rolling over in his native England, Satellites is the somber punk type kid reading his poetry aloud track. Part of his third solo album to be released this November, the track takes on the genre of alt-rock with a pinch of folk, as his albums tend to be more ‘concept’ in form; long time fans will remember his earlier work as instrumental and used for film soundtracks.
9. Tilted by Christine and the Queens
In at number 9 is a gentle track from the pristine Christine and her Queens, in a style that can be best described as flutey pop. Fans of the artist and her genre will probably recognize the track, as it was released way back in February of this year, but the track is in dedication to the full self titled album now available in the United States. At times Christine lapses into her native French, and then keeps it quirky with lines like “I’m doing my face with a magic marker/I’m in my right place, don’t be a downer.”
8. The Hills Remix by The Weeknd & Nicki Minaj
If you missed their debut on SNL a week ago, just know that Nicki & Abel debuted the remix of The Hills in a big way. Admittedly the remix isn’t that much of a difference to the original; keeping in the grand tradition of rap remixes a 40 second verse was added and after said verse the composition of the song remains entirely the same. Highlights include a Joe Biden reference by Minaj, and on the single’s flipside, a remix with Eminem. Both perfect for your Halloween party playlist.
7. Elegy To The Void by Beach House
It may feel like it’s too soon to be raving about Beach House latest album, Thank You Lucky Stars, since we were just raving about Beach House’s last album, Depression Cherry, and that’s because…it is. The two were released just a staggering 4 and a half months apart from each other. What’s more, is that both managed to be high quality, engaging, and thoughtful albums. Elegy To The Void is a dreamy enveloping track that takes you on a six and half minute journey through love and loss. Like many tracks in the Beach House arsenal, it’s perfect to zone out to.
6. Drifting RAC Mix by On An On
On An On starts both the original and RAC mix of Drifting with “I had a dream that when I woke up you were finally there” – the original sounds like the song was part of the waking up process; here on the RAC mix it sounds as if the music is still inside the dream. It is minor but key differences that give this track a completely different enjoyable vibe, but not too distorted from the song’s center.
5. Waiting To Ignite by Goldroom
There are some songs that just get you in the mood to get hyped, hyped for a fun party later in the evening, or perhaps in anticipation of an upcoming vacation. Waiting To Ignite is one of such songs; it’s kind of like listening to Waiting For Tonight by Jennifer Lopez, but without having to fear that awful Y2K Millennium bug. For help on the vocals the EDM All-Star brought along fresh-out-the-box crooner Ren Farren, and for an extra punch R&B princess Tinashe assisted on the song’s production. Keep this one on while packing for your next vacation.
4. 61 Cygni Ave by Neon Indian
There’s been a evil slumlord out to take all your money, a manhunt for Annie, and now a trip to the outer realms of the Universe trying to catch the buzz on 61 Cygni. All in a day’s work for Neon Indian, off of the just released album Vegas International Night School. 61 Cygni Ave has that electro warpy-ness that Neon Indian has come to be known for, hitting notes that feel like they’ve come from outer space themselves. Fit for your next gaze into the night sky.
3. Ref by Pentatonix
Arguably the most popular A Cappella group in the game, and responsible for a -wait, what?- one BILLION cumulative views on their YouTube channel, the group is moving away from covers and on to original material. Ref is a fast moving fun singalong track, that us mortals don’t need to know how to beat box to enjoy. Catchy as hell and sassy to boot, just try to resist an equally sassy head shake as they sing “you made your bed youknowtherest.”
2. Feel by D.A. Wallach
All beautiful sweeping piano and mistiness, on D.A. Wallach’s latest he invokes some Elton John styled 70s realness with a just a touch of Rufus Wainwright-ness. With lines like “What we can do/Not just to be another two/Caught up in love/Thinking we’re on to something new?” it would be easy to sense a little bit of melodrama, but he manages to hit you in the feels without taking it overboard. The result is a gorgeous, full track, and the best part? His album Time Machine is full of equally beautiful, piano rich tunes.
1. King Of Everything by Wiz Khalifa
For one brief moment on the song’s opening it’s bound to cross your mind “….is this the beat off of (Drake’s) Back 2 Back?” Never fear, Wiz isn’t copycatting, but perhaps showing that he’s ready to take this winter over the way Drake did the summer, and simply wants to make sure he has your attention. Having been released for a couple weeks, this heavy hitting track is the ultimate to get you hyped before the big game.
Leave a Reply