When one sees blink-182, Sum 41, and Taking Back Sunday together on a playlist, one is not predisposed to think ‘2016.’ But long live blink-182 and long live new music, as the three bands found themselves on of this week’s list of hot new tracks. Also in the cooker this week, Demi Lovato with a sensual ‘Body Say,’ Logic rhyming fast and hard on ‘The Jam,’ and Maxwell showing only minor superstitions on ‘Fingers Crossed.’
It’s not too late to keep filling up your Summer 2016 playlists with new tracks; head over to Spotify for this week’s complete rundown. As the new music train keeps chugging along each week, make sure to check out New Music Friday All Stars for the best jams of week’s past.
10. M.I.L.F $ by Fergie
Who better than a bunch of moms you’d like to follow to help Fergie navigate her way back to music in ten years? Her very own ‘mom’ squad show massive support in M.I.L.F. $’s video, which visually takes Amy Schumer’s ideas on ‘Milk Milk Lemonade’ and runs with it. And yes an album, Double Duchess, is imminent. If you’re still in touch with the person you used to be who updated your status to ‘up at the gym working on my fitness’ M.I.L.F. $ with go down just fine; if you consider Black Eyed Peas an assault on good music, best to skip right over to the next track.
9. Got Your Number by Serena Ryder
“Treated me bad and you drove me crazy, it’s 36 steps to the front door baby” is the perfect rhyme to start off Serena Ryder’s SUPER catchy latest, a fast paced romper of a single. Straight out Toronto, another member to add to Toronto’s decorated music industry, Serena Ryder’s’ is using Got Your Number as the first song to be mentioned off her forthcoming album, which makes a perfect sequel to 2012’s Harmony, now turned Utopia. Turn this one on when you’re looking for something you’re able to sing along with.
8. Medicine by Biffy Clyro
Sometimes you just need a to take things slowly, and that’s evident on Medicine, a subdued acoustic guitar jam from the normally turnt all the way up Scottish rockers. The song’s central themes are soaked in melancholy, touching on what seems to be addiction, stalling relationships, and worlds being turned upside down. Simon Neil’s thick Scottish is well on display as he harmonizes ‘What was up’s gone daown.’
7. California Dreaming by Armaan Cekin, Paul Rey
It’s hard to pick up on the tone on California Dreaming, even after a few listens. It’s not all together sad, but not full force happy vibes either. Lines like ‘It’s you that I call on my FaceTime when I need something real’ point in the direction of a far flung long distance relationship, say from Arman’s native Netherlands, and, California perhaps? It’s a perfect wind down track, play this once the sun has set.
6. She’s Out Of Her Mind by blink-182
There’s a touch of old school blink in every song on the just released California; on She’s Out of Her Mind there’s a twinge of the admiration vibe on the oldest of schools ‘Josie’ and the attracted-in-disgust vibe on ‘The Party Song’ off of Enema of the State. The dream girl in contest on the track is ‘ah ah ah antisocial,’ dressed in all black, and has goth band Bauhaus stuck in head…what’s not to love?
5. Sledgehammer (From the Motion Picture “Star Trek Beyond”) by Rihanna
Every major recording artist must have their day with a Bond-esque sweeping summer action movie soundtrack, and bad girl RiRi’s already having a huge 2016, so why not? While we won’t be certain until July 22nd if the phrase ‘you’re just a brick and I’m a sledgehammer’ might have some double entendres we’re not yet aware of, it will definitely help us get in the mood for the movie.
4. Tidal Waves by Taking Back Sunday
One must always take heed when perusing New Music Friday’s list each week; some tracks that declare such freshness have been pre-warmed for several months. Such is the case on Tidal Waves, so don’t make the faux pas of saying, ‘Check out the new TBS!’ but rather, “Check out Tidal Wave, I mean, I’ve already known about it since December, but it’s fine.” And what to make of Tidal Wave? Well their typical sound has been altered with, almost producing an Against Me! vibe/sound reference, as the band explained to EW recently that the track has a more ‘Americana’ feel to it.
3. My Squad by Problem, 2 Chainz
Any respectable Millennial/90’s kid will instantly recognize the beat that serves as the background of the track as Black Box’s Everybody Everybody, that was a part of the legendary Jock Jams Vol. 2. And while we’re mentioning everybody everybody, Problem and fellow squad member would like to introduce you to their own squad. Since he hails from the West Coast, there’s no doubt Problem’s squad also consists Snoop, and the extended network that comes with heavy names such as his. A track for those who like their hip hop laid back.
2. Hold On by OLSSON, Maipei
You might not equate gospel music with Sweden, but there’s no doubt the Swedes know how to create ultra-smooth pop music. The best of both such worlds collide on Hold On, delivering an empowering ‘When they try to break you down, get up again, get up again’ against intensely stylistic beats. OLSSON recently told Vice that he’s been ‘obsessed with gospel choirs since he was a kid, so the song had to have one.’ Smart choice.
1. Augustine by Blood Orange
The best part of listening to Augustine is knowing that it is but the tip of the iceberg for Freetown Sound, Blood Orange’s latest album that was released a few days early as a midweek treat for fans. Devonté Hynes doesn’t shy away from the pressing issues of today, stating in press release that it tackles what it means to be black in England, and being black in America. There’s layers on layers on layers of richness and references on Augustine, and a nod to 20th century South African prophet Nontetha Nkwenkwe, pleading in lamentation at the end ‘Nontetha, we’re waited here for you.’
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