We’re jamming out hard to the best new music of the week
Having a hard time keeping up with all the new music that drops every week? Us too — which is why we’re rounding up the best new music of the week every Saturday evening.
Zendaya — “Something New”
One of our favorite activists is also an amazing singer, and “Something New,” which samples TLC’s classic “Creep,” is fantastic. (Now, if she’d release a Chris Brown-less version… that’d be even better.)
Majid Jordan — Majid Jordan
The world was introduced to Jordan via Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” but now the man with the voice like silk sheets has finally dropped his solo album. And, it’s the perfect, actually smooth “come over and watch a movie oops let me yawn and drape my arm around your shoulders really casually” album.
Drake — “Summer Sixteen”
Though the Drake/Meek Mill “beef” is basically over and/or an elaborate conspiracy at this point, we’re still relishing Drizzy’s very pointed/petty verses. The targets this time: Still Meek, and also fellow Torontonian Tory Lanez; even if you don’t get all the references, that beat is pretty fantastic.
Vessels — “4AM”
Vessels’ “Elliptic” is one of my favorite productive songs; the immersive, hypnotic loops put you in an almost-trance, enough to get your mind going without distracting from it. “4AM,” which is a new single off of their 2015 album Dilate‘s reissue, follows in this tradition.
Porches — Pool
Porches’ debut album reminds me a lot of the 2014 film The Guest; that ’80s vibe, but slightly twisted. The effervescence of Aaron Maine’s production is tempered down by harmonic friction, as in “Be Apart,” and his voice glides throughout the album, suspended, waiting.
Katy B x Craig David x Major Lazer — “Who Am I”
UK artist Katy B has been a staple of their electronica scene for a while, but for her new collaborative album Honey, she’s tapped some heavy hitters to collaborate with. The song’s a little uneven in its structure and production, but Katy B and David’s vocal turns are fantastic.
Trixie Whitley — Porta Bohemica
Whitley, who shares the surname with her late, great father Chris, seems to have a cushion around her voice. Whether it’s sharing sonic space with whispering production, like on “Faint Mystery,” or with roiling, menacing guitar on “Soft Spoken Words,” she sings directly to the listener; the effect is arresting.
Florist — The Birds Outside Sang
The name Florist conjures up music soaked in sunshine, but instead, the NY four-piece makes incredibly intimate bedroom rock. “I Was” is in particular a grower — literally and within itself.
Breakbot — Still Waters
It’s tough to have a big hit (as Breakbot did with “Baby I’m Yours“) and then outlast it, but the French producer accomplishes that with this summery album. That said, the stronger tracks run more instrumental than, um, not.
Jamie xx — “Seesaw” ft. Romy (Four Tet remix)
The underlying rule of whether a remix is successful is if it makes you miss the original song. Listening to Four Tet’s rework, I mostly just feel like dancing. (That is a good thing.)
