This week seemed like a pretty slow week for new music but looking back on it now we must have spent too much of our time watching drug busts outside the window and contemplating the percentage of croissant to donut in a cronut. Anyway, apologies. We’re more than aware now that this week was infact great for new music and are making up for our fleeting attention spans with this list of 10 songs that would have been great in any week. Not just because we thought this week was a dud.
Hudson Mohawke- Chimes (Feat. Future, Pusha T, Travi$ Scott and French Montana)
Hudson Mohawke’s Chimes was already a hard-ass, thumper of a track but he’s just piled four cherries on top, adding four of the best rappers right now to the mix. The instrumental remains the same but the rap verses add a certain personality to the track. If we have to pick someone who took the crown here we’re going to have to give it to Pusha T. He sounds dark, brooding and successfully fights Mohawke’s abrasive horns.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/hudsonmohawke/chimes-rmx[/soundcloud]
SZA- Sobrierty
SZA’s Z is still one of the most effortless records of the year and she continues that vibe with this cut, Sobriety. Vocally, she absolutely slays on this one over a beat constructed by a dream-team of Chris Calor, Cody, Thundercat and Sounwave. It’s funny that so many people have had a hand in this track because they haven’t left any fingerprintrints. It sounds minimal, clean and spacious.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/topdawgent/sza-sobriety-prod-by-chris-calor-cody-thundercat-lovedragon-and-sounwave[/soundcloud]
Selah Sue - Together (ft. Childish Gambino)
Belgian, known for its delicious waffles and rich chocolate, has another delicacy on offer, in the form of sweet-talking Selah Sue. Her voice, like the two aforementioned foods, runs smoothly and steamily alongside a skittering, electronic-infused, hip-hop beat. Childish Gambino’s appearance is a welcome addition, giving the track, which ever so subtly verges into pop territory, that extra crunch. All we can say is, yum.
Made in Heights - Panther
Kelsey Bulkin’s got a voice that just won’t quit. Soft and dreamy, with the counter-ability of grabbing all your attention, her vocals float divinely above a soundscape of anxious synths, subdued keys and saccharine synths (those strings!). A lullaby of sorts, Panther lives up to its name. Stealthy, dark and mysterious, this big cat of the jungle grabs you right by the throat.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/madeinheights/panther[/soundcloud]
Beyonce- 7/11
7/11 is the new Beyonce track from the forthcoming Platinum Edition of her hugely successful, BEYONCE album. It seems like Beyonce just keeps giving more and more. 7/11 is probably the hardest we’ve ever heard her go with a crunching beat and some trail-blazing verses. Beyonce rarely takes the time to sing, rather rapping her way through the whole thing. The video is something else too. For someone with the amount of money she has, she’s made a video that looks like a home video. Where my home videos look like a poorly shot documentary on whales, Beyonce’s looks top notch. Of course.
Beyonce- Ring Off
We’re just going to put two Beyonce songs in because, Beyonce. This one sees her put more fuel on the fire in terms of the rumour that her and Jay-Z are done with the lyrics “you took that ring off”. We’re not sure what that’s all about but the song itself is an island-inspired gem. Along with the original songs on BEYONCE, Ring Off is probably the most effortless. Can we have another album for Christmas please Beyonce?
Charli XCX- Gold Coins
We’re currently smashing our piggy banks open and filling the bath with dollar coins so we can listen to this track the way its meant to be heard. With all the success Charli XCX has had this year, it’s refreshing to hear a song so unconcerned with what’s in vogue at the moment. Gold Coins is brash, punk and surprisingly sounds like a hit.
KUČKA- Divinity
It’s always good to hear an Aussie girl doing well on the world wide web, so we we’re thrilled to see KUČKA’s Divinity premiered on The Fader this week. We’ve loved KUCKA ever since we were captivated by her show at BIGSOUND and drunkenly tracked her down in the street to tell her so. Divinity sounds like Grimes with a sprinkle of Alunageorge and plenty of after-dark charm. It’s a swirling combustion of lucid synths and vocal hums, sounding like nothing coming out of this country right now.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/midnightfeature/kucka-divinity[/soundcloud]
MNEK- The Rhythm
In our humble opinion, British youngster has been criminally underappreciated this year. Surely 2015 is set to be his time, particularly with this #banger, The Rhythm on his side. The Rhythm was made to pulsate off club walls with jungle inspired rhythms and a throbbing bass. Meanwhile his soaring voice adds an anthemic quality to the whole thing. Right now, I’m literally all about that bass.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/mnek-1/the-rhythm[/soundcloud]
Dugong Jr- Fish Tears
Riddle me this, how do you see fish tears when they’re already in water? Well, Dugong Jr has apparently seen them and they look exactly as this sounds. If that’s true, they’re crystalline droplets, that trickle and plop, occasionally falling onto squeaky beds. Take of that what you will. Really, all you need to know is that Dugong Jr is one of the best Australian producers right now.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/flirtini/dugong-jr-fish-tears?in=flirtini/sets/heartbreaks-promises-vol-2[/soundcloud]
