This week Apple finally announced its streaming service Apple Music. While in most weeks this would've been the headline-of-the-week they were beaten to the post by a homophobic Ten Walls and the fact that Nicki Minaj's arse was plastered 1,000 times over a Helsinki cathedral. Oh, what a weird world we live in.
In celebration, we've combined all these news items by presenting to you ten songs that you can stream (for free), that aren't homophobic and also feature no mention of Nicki Minaj's derriere.
Basenji
Petals
The top dawg is back with his first single of 2015 and what a cracker it is. Sydney producer Basenji struck gold with his 2014 single Heirloom but it feels like he's even one-upped that track with Petals. Petals is a floating daydream built around glassy beats and airy synths. It's beautifully delicate and helped-along by the gentle, windy vocals of Scenic. This is just begging to be in a baby powder ad just as it is ready to be the most euphoric moment of a night out.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/officialbasenji/basenji-petals-featuring-scenic[/soundcloud]
Hudson Mohawke
Warriors
Ah HudMo just cannot stop going bigger and better with his Lanterns singles. This latest one Warriors featuring Ruckazoid and Devaeux is an absolute monster of a song. It sounds like it's been made for the lighting of the Olympic torch - it just aims to be so damn euphoric and triumphant and it succeeds in every way. Can it really be anything other than huge when your main lyrics are "warriors", "war" and "battle." Them are fighting words.
The Weeknd
I Can't Feel My Face
He's done it. He's gone pop. It's not as big a transformation as country Tay Tay to Kendrick Lamar-featuring Tay Tay but it's a slight departure from The Weeknd's normal material. For one, there's no mention of pussy once in the song. It's a Max Martin-produced hit-in-waiting with a funky baseline and MJ-esque vocals. It's obviously been made for radio but it doesn't mean that it's unenjoyable for previous The Weeknd fans. If anything, it's just an extension of his already large sonic cannon - yes, I understand you could imply other things from that.
Kira Puru
All Dulled Out
Melbourned-based singer Kira Puru used to go by the name Kira Puru & The Bruises but it seems that those bruises have finally cleared-up because she's going it alone this time around. All Dulled Out is her return track and it's a bold statement track that sits somewhere between Megan Washington and Kimbra. Her voice is just far too good to be ignored with jazzy undertones and grand extensions but it's her songwriting on All Dulled Out that really sticks out.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/kirapuru/all-dulled-out[/soundcloud]
Kehlani & Mr. Carmack
All In
Yours Truly and Adidas' Songs From Scratch series has seen How To Dress Well team up with TALA and Jeremih and Shlohmo realise their invaluable musical connection. The latest pair to craft something rad together are US RnB singer Kehlani and all-encompassing producer Mr. Carmack, delivering All In. All In is about that point in a relationship when you either walk away or go for it completely. Alternatively it's about the moment you reach the halfway point of a BBQ Shapes packet and have to decide if you can swallow your pride and finish the packet. Different interpretations aside, it's a beautifully dim, soulful track that makes Kehlani's smokey vocals the star.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/mr_carmack/all-in-with-kehlani[/soundcloud]
Melé
Ambience
If you don't want to get-up and go-hard the minute you hear this then there is something clinically wrong with you. Ambience, the latest track by UK producer Melé is an absolute dancefloor-stomper taking cues from Jersey club tracks. "You can do it baby, c'mon," howls a booming voice as the percussion fires-up and leads into a carnivale-inspired party. This is fierce and it will no doubt make you work your arse off if you're serious about paying it the respect it deserves.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/mixmag-1/premiere-mele-ambience[/soundcloud]
D?WN
Running From Sane
Adult Swim does this thing where they release amazing singles all through summer from an array of artists. This year they have promised tracks by SOPHIE, Chromatics and Run The Jewels but this week they have delivered on the first single of 19. Running From Sane is by D?WN who rose to fame in Diddy's girl-group Danity Kane. She's come along way from that trading pop songs for experimental electronic tracks. This one's a stunner crafting a mind-blowing soundscape alongside D?WN's otherworldly vocals. If you like this, it's worth checking out her brilliant album from this year Blackheart.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/adultswimsingles/dawn-richard[/soundcloud]
Mura Masa & Nao
Thinking Bout You (Frank Ocean cover)
We're big fans of both 18 year-old producer Mura Masa and British songstress Nao so we didn't even need to do the math to figure out that we'd be digging this one. The pair have just collaborated on Mura Masa's Firefly but here they have stripped everything back for a gorgeous cover of Frank Ocean's Thinking Bout You on Radio 1's Live Lounge. There are no bells and whistles, just Nao's voice wafting through the genius melody of the song.
Gravez & ELHAE
Call Me Back
Allow us to introduce you to Atlanta artists Gravez and ELHAE. Gravez is the beatmaker while ELHAE is the vocalist and together they have made one fine RnB scorcher. ELHAE switches between signing and rapping, with both modes as strong as each other. As such, he's able to deliver a stellar hook and then bring a sharp edge to the track simultaneously. That alongside Gravez sparse but hard-hitting beats is a match made in heaven.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/gravez/call-me-back-with-elhae[/soundcloud]
GoldLink
Dance On Me
US rapper GoldLink is tipped to do big things in 2015. He was included on XXL's iconic 2015 Freshman Class alongside Fetty Wap, Dej Loaf and OG Maco and now he's dropped his first track since. Goldlink differs to the rest of the artists on the list because he seems to be more open to more electronic, Kaytranada-esque beats and it's really working in his favour. Dance On Me is energetic, vibrant and in parts sensual making the perfect soundtrack for love-making and dancing - simultaneously or separately, it's up to you.
[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/goldlink/dance-on-me[/soundcloud]
