Much of the east coast is still digging out from Blizzard Jonas, but life must go on, right? Sure, commuters from DC to New York must trudge back to work this Monday, but at least they’ve got a fantastic selection of new music to listen to on the way there. The past week in particular was a notable one for the recording world. Hip-hop heavyweights Kanye West and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis both dropped major releases and some gems were discovered in the indie sphere as well. Check out the best new songs of the week and try not to slip on black ice while you’re at it.
Best New Songs of the Week (Jan. 18 - Jan. 25)
7. The Human Experience - ‘Ain’t Givin Up On Love’
Track 1 on debut album Gone Gone Beyond, ‘Ain't Givin Up on Love’ is bound to entice listeners within seconds thanks to the soulful voice of singer/producer David Block. An airy piano and symphonized beat guide Block’s singing before a striking bass line and chorus drop around the minute mark. Simple, but effective, ‘Ain't Givin Up on Love’ is surprisingly powerful.
6. Mick Jenkins - ‘On the Map’ (feat. BADBADNOTGOOD)
Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins has been ‘On the Map’ since the release of his 2014 mixtape, The Water[s]. He’s collaborated with well known up-and-comers Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, and will release his debut studio album later this year. In the meantime, he teamed up with popular jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD and remade a YouTube hit of the same name by The Sensei Blue. The remake is even trippier and features an original verse from Jenkins.
5. Public Access TV - ‘On Location’
Man, not only do these guys look like The Strokes, but they sound like ‘em too. The New York-based (Yep, just like Julian Casablancas and co.) quartet makes really fun music with ample use of garage rock-y distortion and catchy choruses. Get ready to listen to a lot more like ‘On Location’ when Public Access TV releases their self-titled debut album later this year.
4. Kali Uchis - ‘Ridin Round’ ft. Tory Lanez (Oshi Remix)
Kali Uchis already drew hype nearly a year ago with the release of the original single, but along came London-producer Oshi with this fantastic remix of ‘Ridin Round.’ Whereas the first version was fluffy and lighthearted, Oshi’s remix injects some serious bass and boom. Rapper Tory Lanez also leaves a clever little verse towards the back end as well.
3. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - ‘White Privilege II’ (feat. Jamila Woods)
What can we say? The song has been all over the media since its release on Jan. 21 - for reasons good and bad. Regardless of how you feel about the follow-up to the 2005 track, it's impossible to deny that the track hasn’t started a conversation. That’s one of the true goals of art (in this writer’s opinion), and at the very worst, Macklemore has good intentions. On top of that, the song is sonically intriguing and offers some serious To Pimp a Butterfly vibes with its alternating structure and funky melody.
2. Night Moves - ‘Denise, Don’t Wanna See You Cry’
Minneapolis rockers Night Moves are back with a new single that will appear on their upcoming album, Pennied Days, available on March 25. The 80s ballad style found on their 2012 debut Colored Emotions has remained on ‘Denise, Don’t Wanna See You Cry.’ The heartfelt tune reminisces about past relationships that’s quite suiting for the lonely days of winter.
1. Kanye West - ‘No More Parties in L.A.’ (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Could there be anything else? Not only is ‘No More Parties in a L.A.’ a part of Kanye West’s highly anticipated new album, but it’s the first-ever collaboration between Ye and 11-time Grammy nominee Kendrick Lamar. It doesn’t hurt that the song is, like, really good! Kanye had actually teased a snip of the latest collab several weeks ago with the release of ‘Real Friends,’ but finally the full version is available. If this is anything to go by, then maybe Swish actually will be the “best album of all time.”
