We were on holiday last week so this week’s songs of the week column represent the best tracks released over the last 14 days. Dive into our selects to boogie, cry, or make a TikTok video to from both emerging and established artists below.
Bad Bunny – Vete
The Puerto Rican artist hits us with a break up song but don’t be too sad, “Vete” still swings for the fences with its hip grooving beat.
Blac Youngsta, City Girls – Whisper
“Whisper” from the Ying Yang Twins is one of those early noughties songs that should not be touched with a 100 foot pole, but somehow Blac Youngsta and City Girls manage to put a fresh 2019 flip on the iconic beat by Mr. Collipark.
Bombay Bicycle Club – Everything Else Has Gone Wrong
The title of Bombay Bicycle Club’s new single is very ‘mercury is in retrograde’ life vibes. It’s actual meaning, however, is much more hopeful. Over grunge-y indie rock guitars and a catchy melody, frontman Jack Steadman sings about ‘finding my second wind’ and looks forward to the future.
Carlie Hanson – Side Effects
17-year-old newcomer and former McDonald’s employee (shoutout McDonald’s!) Carlie Hanson’s new single brims with shimmery electropop goodness.
CHIKA – Can’t Explain It (feat. Charlie Wilson)
CHIKA samples Tamia’s 1998 classic and injects new life into the verses with fast spitting rap lyrics.
Ciara – Melanin (ft. Lupita Nyong’o, City Girls, Lala Anthony and Ester Dean)
“Melanin” sounds like an anthem that needs to be played at halftime during every basketball game from now until infinity.
Grace VanderWaal – Poser
VanderWaal reminds us that we all don’t really know what we’re doing with her song “Poser.” Social anxiety is crippling and kids can be cruel, but somehow 15-year-old VanderWaal manages to spin it into a lovely song that hopefully reminds us to be a little nicer to each other.
HALIE – Circling
As tender as she is tough, eighteen year-old Halie, AKA Hannah Emilie Grung, sings with the raw edges of Amy Winehouse and all the soulful softness of the American rising star Yebba.
Juanes – Tequila
Being from Texas, I love Juanes and Tequila and here we have both. The end.
LAUNDRY DAY – CREME
The NYC collective delivers strong ’70s vibes, warped vocals, and eclectic percussion on their latest release.
Labrinth – Oblivion (feat. Sia)
The opening sound of violins being tuned sets the stage for the full orchestral accompaniment in British singer/producer Labrinth’s new single “Oblivion.” The addition of Sia’s vocals in the chorus further adds to the cinematic quality of the song. “Oblivion” appears off Labrinth’s new album “Imagination & The Misfit Kid,” out now.
Lola Young – Blind Love
18-year-old South London singer Lola Young proves herself an expert storyteller with her new single as she pulls us in through every moment and emotion of a “Blind Love.”