100 gecs ft. Charli XCX, Rico Nasty, and Kero Kero Bonito – ringtone [Remix]
100 gecs blew up last year with their diverse, genre bending album 1000 gecs. They’ are now in the process of releasing their remix album called 1000 gecs and the tree of clues. Last year, they put out both an A.G. Cook remix of “money machine” and an Injury Reserve remix of “745 sticky.” Their latest is a remix of “ringtone” enlisting PC Music legend Charli XCX, forward-thinking rapper Rico Nasty, and indie-pop stars Kero Kero Bonito. The result is an infectious electropop banger with Charli XCX taking the first verse and chorus, Kero Kero Bonito with a fun second verse and bridge, and Rico Nasty taking an extended, dynamic third verse. The remix is frenetic, chaotic, and perfect for parties.
Christine and the Queens – People, I’ve been sad
Featured last year on Charli XCX’s critically acclaimed track “Gone,” Christine and the Queens has become an artist to watch. Her mature, artsy pop music coupled with her consistently flowing in and out of different languages is showcased perfectly on “People, I’ve been sad.” She begins the song simply stating in English “It’s true that, people, I’ve been sad.” In her simplicity, Christine engulfs the listener in her feelings and doesn’t let go for the duration of the track. It’s a strikingly gorgeous and emotionally powerful song.
The Weeknd – Hardest to Love
The Weeknd’s new album After Hours is a great, eclectic R&B and pop album. The Max Martin produced track “Hardest to Love” is one of the best songs on the album. Backed by a drum and bass beat and light poppy synths, The Weeknd sings about a struggling relationship on the brink of ending where he is the reason why it’s falling apart. It’s not new territory for him, but it’s a territory he works incredibly well in. The vocal melody is incredibly catchy and the chorus is sure to be stuck in your head after hearing it for all the right reasons.
Gupi, Fraxiom – Thos Moser
Gupi and Fraxiom team up on “Thos Moser” to deliver a banger of a bubblegum bass track. Fraxiom’s verses are drenched in internet culture. They reference the infamous NYU 100 gecs show, namecheck Caroline Polachek, and proclaim “Fuck Notch, Fuck Musk, and I’ll piss on Zedd.” Gupi supports Fraxiom with a frenetic instrumental and a powerful bass. The beat often switches up drastically from verse to verse commanding the listener’s constant attention. “Thos Moser” is an energetic, unrelentingly fun track.
Hayley Williams – Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris
Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams is in the process of releasing her debut solo album Petals for Armor. “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” is the first single following the release of Petals for Armor I, an EP featuring five of the tracks from the album, including the first three singles. Featuring guest vocals from folk supergroup boygenius, “Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris” is a decidedly empathic song about women’s empowerment. Hayley crafts a metaphor where women are represented as flowers in a garden, beautiful and growing alongside each other regardless, or sometimes because, of what the other flowers in the garden are doing. The guest vocals from boygenius create a sense of togetherness and the lush, but brooding instrumental create the feeling of a slow burn as the song melts the listener into it.
Gorillaz ft. Fatourmata Diawara – Désolé
The second full song released as a part of Gorillaz’s Song Machine project features Malian singer Fatourmata Diawara. The bossa nova-influenced, summery pop track “Désolé” perfectly supports the softer voice of Damon Albarn and Fatourmata Diawara’s powerful, unwavering voice. The lyrics of the song are in English, French, and Bambara creating an ethereal, worldly feel while Albarn and Diawara sing about feeling confused and lost, but relentlessly apologizing for it in the end. “Désolé” is bright and infectious, a surefire way to soundtrack a summer.
Tennis – Need Your Love
Indie-pop band Tennis grip the listener in on “Need Your Love” with forceful drums and piano chords. Once brought in, the song flows freely bringing the listener along with it. The verses are punchy and powerful, but the chorus slows the song down and provides a feeling of floating. This back and forth creates a tension that is loosened up by the saccharine singing of frontwoman Alaina Moore. The lyrics detail a love where the singer is constantly pulled into the relationship, even if she may not want to be. After all, she needs this love “Like [she] needs a bolt of lightning from the sky above.”
The Strokes – Bad Decisions
The Strokes long awaited comeback album, title The New Abnormal, has produced two singles so far. The first is the synth heavy “At the Door” and the second is the retro-leaning, Billy Idol-interpolating “Bad Decisions.” Produced by Rick Rubin, the song details frontman Julian Casablancas’ parent’s rocky relationship. The track is a simple, effortless post-punk track. The chorus is fun to sing along to and the track is energetic and lively. It’s not new ground for The Strokes, but it’s something they do at the very top of the game.
Doja Cat – Boss Bitch
Doja Cat emerged last year as one of the most exciting acts in pop/hip-hop. Her energy is infectious and her music is constantly catchy and often amusing. “Boss Bitch” is Doja Cat at her absolute best—energetic, fun, and at the forefront of a song commanding your attention. Released as part of the Birds of Prey soundtrack, “Boss Bitch” is a thumping, house track ready for the club. Doja Cat oozes charisma as she waves off her haters with braggadocious bars. It’s impossible to not want to get up and dance when listening to “Boss Bitch.”
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Cars in Space
Australian indie-rock band Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever create effortless, summery jangle-pop and “Cars in Space” is the band at their very best. The noisy, jangly instrumental breathes easily, flowing with the vocals and exploding into a long instrumental to bring the song to an end. The guitars move freely throughout the track and the singer’s simple lyrics and vocals melt into the track. Like the best jangle-pop, “Cars in Space” allows the instrumentals to take the listener on a gorgeous, guitar-drive journey.
Porridge Radio – Born Confused
Porridge Radio’s Every Bad is a towering album filled with catharsis and opener “Born Confused” is one of the most cathartic tracks on the album. A common theme throughout the album is frustration and confusion while trying to figure the world out and “Born Confused” expresses those sentiments plainly, but powerfully. The track begins with just guitar and frontwoman Dana Margolin’s simply stating “I’m bored to death, let’s argue.” Over time, the song builds up until Dana is shouting “Thank you for making me happy’ over and over again as the track devolves into chaos until slowly calming down and abruptly ending. An earthshattering opener on a powerful album.
Dua Lipa – Physical
The third single For Dua Lipa’s second album Future Nostalgia, “Physical,” is an energetic synthpop track driven by dark, 80s-like synths. The track builds up to the chorus where Dua Lipa belts, almost yells, in a very raspy voice. The verses counteract the strength of the chorus with the synths creating a very brooding, nighttime atmosphere. Dua Lipa sings about partying with another person where the attraction between the two keeps them up later and later into the night. It’s a phenomenal pop song perfect for parties and workout playlists.
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