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10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: The Weeknd, Hudson Mohawke, Basenji And More

10Songs_12June

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]

lists / new music06/12/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: CHVRCHES, Azealia Banks, Collarbones + More

141108_10Songs

It’s coming dangerously close to the end of the year which means everybody is rushing out music before people replace new music with the Mariah Carey christmas album (the first one, of course) for a good two months. That’s very good news for us, as a website that likes to dabble in new music, because we have a plethora of things to choose from each week. Here’s 10 songs that we will be keeping locked away for the Christmas period new music drought.

Little Simz x Jakwob - Time Capsule

If you don’t know Little Simz, it’s time you got on her Soundcloud and got to know this London rapper. She’s firing off some killer verses over beautifully crafted beats and her latest, Time Capsule proves that. This retrospective track, goes from warm and encapsulating to industrial and hard in a matter of seconds, providing a thrilling listen.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/littlesimz/little-simz-jakwob-time-capsule-ft-caitlyn-scarlett[/soundcloud]

Nao- Good Girl

You may know London songstress Nao from the killer track she did with Jai Paul’s brother A.K., So Good. Good Girl proves that the singer has even more to offer, with a soulful, personable voice that finds just the right route through distant beats. It’s got the same kind of effortless pop vibe as Solange’s True EP and we’re more than ok with this.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/thisnao/nao-good-girl[/soundcloud]

Collarbones- Only Water (Feat. Oscar Key Sung)

We’re big fans of Australian duo Collarbones, basically just because they’re cool guys but we’re also very much obsessed with their music. A new album, Return, will find its way into your ears by the end of November but in the meantime they’ve dropped Only Water with Oscar Key Sung. The pair make perfect sense together and the track is a bubbling, dense creation of beauty.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/collarbones/only-water-feat-oscar-key-sung[/soundcloud]

Klo. - Under Lie

From one Australian duo to another, Melbournites Klo. have been churned out two great songs already and their third, Under Lie, may just be the best. It seems more ambitious than its predecessors, with the vocals of Chloe Kaul far more self-assured than we’ve heard before. She ducks in and out of the heights of her range over a broken-down, minimal beat that gives plenty of space for a slinky melody. This isn’t hype anymore, these guys are good. Real good.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/klomusic/underlie[/soundcloud]

BenZel- Touch (Feat. Ryn Weaver)

So Ryn Weaver popped out of nowhere to become the popstar most likely to in 2014 and BenZel also seemingly came out of nowhere (but then it turned out they were actually Two Inch Punch and Benny Blanco, so yeah). As such, this pairing makes total sense as a fresh little pop song of budding stars. Weaver delivers a few stunning verses in between BenZel’s beat-heavy assault. It’s an aesthetic we haven’t heard from them yet and makes us excited for the diversity of the Men EP

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/officialbenzel/touch[/soundcloud]

Future- Never Satisfied (Feat. Drake)

A clip of this track was actually on Future’s brilliant Honest, which is a little odd. The album was obviously snatched from them before they could finish the song but thank goodness Drake and Future got back to work and finished the track. The difference with this version is that there’s an extra Future and Drake verse and you don’t get that overwhelming sense of disappointment that comes with a song finishing at 1 minute and 56 seconds. Ugh.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/mikewillmadeit/future-never-satisfied-ft-drake-prod-by-mike-will-made-it[/soundcloud]

Tourist- Illuminate (Feat. Years & Years)

One night I got drunk and proclaimed that Years & Years were going to be the biggest band this year. Obviously, that was slightly hyperbolic but I still believe they’re going to be a big deal. Maybe more in the Alt-J way than The Rolling Stones way. Anyway, they’ve teamed up with budding British producer, Tourist for the delectable Illuminate. Basically, it’s one of the smoothest cuts we’ve heard since Disclosure’s Latch. The voice is velvety and malleable and the beat flicks and rush as if to orchestrate the heart.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/touristmusic/illuminate[/soundcloud]

CHVRCHES- Dead Air

It’s really not a week at all if Glasgow trio CHVRCHES aren’t in the news in someway. This week they’ve contributed to the soundtrack of small independent movie, The Hunger Games, which has actually been curated by fresh 18 year-old, Lorde. CHVRCHES suit the whole, dim-lit, serious vibe of The Hunger Games and bring a finessed loveliness to the table on Dead Air. The chorus is gloriously climatic, reminding just how freekend good this band is.

Azealia Banks- Ice Princess

If time is money, then it’s no wonder Azealia Banks is broke. Oh Azealia, how we’ve waited for this album. For all the fuss she’s created over the past few years, she dropped Broke With Expensive Taste with relatively little fanfare just dropping it straight on iTunes like she’s Beyonce. Upon first listen, Ice Princess, is the standout. A quick tongued track that oscilates between a traditional hi-hop instrumental and a four-to-the-floor dance beat. Banks sounds completely in control and refreshingly laid back.

Ryn Weaver- OctaHate (Feat. Cashmere Cat)

So this week is obviously all about Ryn Weaver, which we’re fine with if we’re going to jump on the next big popstar train. Our last mention of Weaver comes in the way of the remix Cashmere Cat did of her song Octahate, which he actually produced in the first place. The remix sounds far more CC than the original, with solemn, building verses and hell-raising drops. He keeps Weaver’s vocals pretty much intact which is nice because we quite like her voice.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/cashmerecat/cashylovesryn[/soundcloud]

lists11/08/2014

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week

What a week for new music. It felt like music was gushing from every surrounding channel and we’re yet to fix the pipes. These 10 are the 10 we managed to stop in their tracks in order to chuck them on repeat and revel in their brilliance. If you haven’t heard these songs this week, here’s your chance to before your friends are all 10 steps ahead of you and you’re #oldnews. If you just want to jump straight to the Soundcloud playlist, click here.

FKA Twigs- Two Weeks

British singer/producer FKA Twigs is months away from releasing her debut album, LP1 and Two Weeks is the first single from it. If the Papi Pacify video taught us anything it’s that Twigs isn’t afraid to take on taboo subjects. Once again on Two Weeks she’s bold and revealing with her subject matter. The lyric, “My thighs are open for when you’re ready to breathe in”, should give you a few clues about what we’re dealing with here. Coming from Twigs, however, it doesn’t sound trashy. Rather she does it with the utmost grace and confidence. Slinking around the melody with sexual prowess.

Grimes- Go

Grimes loves a bit of T.Swizzle and the Biebs so it should come as no surprise that she originally wrote this one for Rihanna. Rihanna turned it down but it’s her loss. Go, produced with Blood Diamonds, is a trap-driven, ethereal pop song. It’s undoubtedly different from anything she’s released in the past and probably won’t be on her next album, but it’s a welcome detour into banger territory. Watch out Miley.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/actuallygrimes/go-1[/soundcloud]

Ryn Weaver- OctaHate

When Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat and Passion Pit combine on one song, there’s really only one way it can go. American newcomer, Ryn Weaver, is introduced to the musicsphere with a cracker of a pop song. The choruses scream Passion Pit, the pop-forwardness says Benny Blanco while the synths have Cashmere Cat’s fingerprints over them. Meanwhile, Weaver is the perfect host, sounding like a seasoned pro.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/rynweaver/ryn-weaver-octahate[/soundcloud]

Lido- I Love You

Like Cashmere Cat, Lido is a Norwegian producer, who last week dropped a stunning remix of BANKS’ Drowning. This week he’s dropped his EP, I Love You. The title track is the most impressive of the set, it’s a skittering, unpredictable affair that dazzles with a sonic-adrenalin rush hook. The funky bass undertones ensure that we stay around in between choruses.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/lidogotsongs/lido-i-love-you[/soundcloud]

Bondax- All I See

British duos making house music have a good track record. Just look at Disclosure. Bondax have been tracking along for about the same time but are yet to drop an album. All I See is the latest track from them and the sound is planted in the tropics. It’s perhaps their most accessible tune to date and is no doubt aimed towards a Mediterranean Summer.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/bondax/all-i-see[/soundcloud]

Kyan- Cold Friend

Ever since we featured Kyan’s Shuttle we’ve been huge fans of British singer. Fresh from playing Wembley Stadium with Duke Dumont, he’s dropped the second single from his forthcoming EP, Life In A Triangle. Cold Friend is far more of a casual affair than the first single, Taking The City but it’s no less effective. Frosty tones and isolated drums make it quite a melanholic track warmed only by Kyan’s soulful voice.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/kyanmusic/cold-friend-1[/soundcloud]

LUCIANBLOMKAMP- Help Me Out

And the brilliant Australian producers just keep coming. LUCIANBLOMKAMP as well as being a mouthful to pronounce, is a Melbourne-based producer who’s gearing up to release his debut LP Post-Nature on 15 August. Help Me Out is taken from that. It’s a dark track with building intensity delivered by crescendoing beats and short stabs of synth.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/lucianblomkamp/help-me-out[/soundcloud]

Zola Jesus- Dangerous Days

This may be one of the most surprising releases of the week. Zola Jesus is known for her dark, experimental music that has often blatantly stayed away any pop-influences. Dangerous Days, the first release from her forthcoming LP, Taiga, sees her let her card down. It has a big hearty chorus and beat-driven verse that doesn’t stray too far from M83’s sonic aesthetic. Taiga suddenly just got a whole lot more interesting.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/zolajesus/zola-jesus-dangerous-days-official-audio[/soundcloud]

Nao vs. AK Paul- So Good

I’d imagine AK Paul is feeling slightly like Solange right now. Why? His brother is enigmatic producer Jai Paul who is a hero to many although he’s only really released two official tunes. On So Good he pairs with Hackney singer Nao. So Good is all about holding back. Paul only plays with a few layers, creating a sparse yet effective backing for Nao’s popping vocal. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait as long as Jai Paul for a follow-up.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/thisnao/nao-vs-a-k-paul-so-good[/soundcloud]

Billie Black- I Don’t Need Another Lover

Two weeks, two songs and London artist, Billie Black has ensures that she’s one to watch. Following the spectacular, I Waited For You, she’s released I Don’t Need Another Lover. The new track takes a similar, minimal formula to I Waited For You, but it kicks the pace up a notch with a gentle beat. It works the song into a subtle yet welcome groove showing that Black can be more than a Sade-like balladeer.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/billie-black/i-dont-need-another-lover[/soundcloud]

Listen to the full Soundcloud playlist below:

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/the-in-terns/sets/10-songs-you-need-to-hear[/soundcloud]

lists / new music06/27/2014