April showers bring May flowers, and April new music releases bring the end of waiting for many highly anticipated releases. One of the most anticipated is Gwen Stefani’s This Is What Truth Feels Like. The Chainsmokers keep it moving with spilling their guts from the Inside Out, and a fresh new artist named Rick Astley shows you he is Never Gonna Give You Up- OR Spotify was just having some fun on April Fools Day when the tracks were released.
Jokes aside, this week’s batch has enough to keep you going straight through next Friday. For the full run down head over to Spotify. If time has been moving too fast for you lately there’s always New Music Friday All Stars, a definitive playlist of the top ten lists from the past couple months.
1o. Come And See Me by PARTYNEXTDOOR, Drake
Drake is famous for using the line “No new friends” in his rhymes, and PARTYNEXTDOOR has proved his friendship to the rapper, a fellow Torontonian whose tracks Drake often finds himself a part of. Come And See Me (For Once) explores the dicey of topic of a love affair always taking place in the Alpha’s home base, Drake adding his two cents to say “I don’t even know what things are looking like inside your place and how its decorated.” Well Drizzy, the simple solution is to just come and see, for once.
9. Where Are You Now? by Royal Bloods | Music From Vinyl Vol. 8
Since its release on Valentine’s Day of this year, the HBO series Vinyl has released a staggering eight volumes of music, an impressive feat of defintive 70s and 70s inspired music, but not at all surprising when you consider Mick Jagger is one of its creators. Royal Blood is one such 70s inspired bands, here on Where Are You Now? invoking the spirit of Wolfmother, and giving off serious music for a montage in a badass movie vibes.
8. I Wanna Know by Alesso, Nico & Vinz
There’s something undeniably easy breezy about Alesso’s latest release I Wanna Know, striking out with his trademark radio friendly laid-back style of DJing. Mellowing out the mood is the vocal accompaniment of Nico & Vinz, serving up romantic feelings and stating point blank “I wanna know, I wanna know (ey a ey a ey)” where exactly this love affair is going. With his debut album having only been released less than a year ago, there’s no word yet if the popular Swedish DJ has plans to release an album in the near future.
7. World Is Mine by A$AP Ferg, Big Sean
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and that sentiment is alive and well on this hip hop collaboration, coming through with a “she’s trying to telling me the world is mine, I know that ain’t true, but I’m young man and I got everything to lose.” It’s tough being on top, or rather near the top, but there’s no reason to be so sad, even though it creates a great low key song to unwind to, heavy feelings aside.
6. Die Like A Rich Boy by Frightened Rabbit
One could easily see this track as the featured track in a sad movie, as the movie’s troubled protagonist takes a walk along the waters edge and thinks about his life. Frightened Rabbit encapsulates on using gentle guitar strums with tender lyrics, with the band’s Scottish accents coming through every now and again. Their new album with the equally somber title “Painting of a Panic Attack” will be out everywhere April 8th.
5. Where Would I Be? by Gwen Stefani
Fresh off the release of This Is What Truth Feels Like, Gwen is helping kick off her first album in 10 years with seriously funky reggae beats on Where Would I Be? Of the singles released so far Where Would I Be? comes off as the most modern, with playful temporary breakdowns that feel like a throwback to Hollaback Girl, which long time fans will love. Stefani is showing she’s got the chops to keep up with the times, this is one you’ll want to crank up all the way up on your way to the beach.
4. All My Pride by Black Honey
Known typically for their polished indie sound, this foursome from Brighton take a Strokesque (but with female vocals) turn on All My Pride. The style here is a tripped out get outta my face anthem, clearly stated in the chorus “everybody saying what I need to do, but I haven’t gotten a thing to prove, prove to you.” This track and three more make up the band’s next EP, Headspin, expected to be released on April 29th.
3. Free by Broods
Since bursting on the scene in 2014 with their sensational album Evergreen, fans have been asking WHEN will there be more releases from Broods? Well the wait is over, and the brother and sister duo from Auckland feel as fresh as ever, breaking open the track with a “Hallelujah I’m free I’m free I’m free.” The chorus is nothing short of spectacular, and plays well off all the emotion in the song. Broods will have a busy year ahead of them, just having started touring, opening for Ellie Goulding on selected dates on the North American leg of her world tour.
2. Famous by Kanye West
While I’m sure you’re no slouch and are well acquainted with The Life Of Pablo and the controversy around the lyrics on Famous by now, music fans did get a surprise this past week when Kanye announced that TLOP would no longer be available just on Tidal, but now through Spotify and Apple Music. Still many weeks later there’s much to celebrate on Famous, Kanye using Rihanna for its choruses, samples from a Nina Simone classic, and a throwback to College Dropout.
1. Healer by Moxie Raia, GoldLink
Healing can take its form in mysterious ways, and on the track Moxie Raia thanks Mister dope dealer, who has shown up like a healer. The song is an act of healing in itself, Raia’s voice echoing that of the indie R&B princesses before her, and the R&B princess status she is moving towards, combining it with powerful bass licks. Goldlink shows up very briefly for thirty seconds less of a hip hop break. You’ll find the release among equally as beautiful stark slow jams on her latest mix tape 931.
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