Music writers sometimes forget that not everyone lives on the internet. We’re racing to keep up with things as they come out and I apologize for that. Here’s my attempt to bridge the gap.
I’ve been asking friends of mine who definitely don’t live on the internet to send me what new music they’ve heard every week for a month now, in addition to how they acquired the songs. A few takeaways:
–Spotify’s Top Lists have a lot more influence than a lot of us think. It’s kind of scary, since the Top 100 list still has songs that came out in 2011 on the list (looking at you, “Can’t Hold Us”!)
–When it comes to dance music, Shazam helps a ton in identifying who made what. People don’t know a Clean Bandit from Tove Lo from Tone Loc.
–Vine appears to be really important when it comes to discovering new music. (Also: Vine has given us the best song of 2014.)
–Please stop listening to “All About That Bass”. Please? PLEASE?
Anyway, here’s an abridged list, in no particular order:
Big Sean: “IDFWU”
Easily the most interesting thing related to a cast member of “Glee” since 2000-whenever that show came out, Big Sean’s fiery kiss-off to former fiancee (and “Glee” cast member) Naya Rivera is a DJ Mustard-produced atom bomb and easily the best hurt rapper song since Z-Ro’s “I Hate You”. The song kind of loses it’s luster when E-40 shows up (there’s a sentence I never though I would ever type) who takes a focused napalm strike and turns it into a loose warble about going to the casino in Detroit.
Dej Loaf: “Try Me”
The first breakout tune from the Detroit rapper (back-to-back Murder Mitten!) is definitely getting play in clubs and rightfully so, leading to her to sign a deal with Columbia last week. Now, just like any other rap song that’s even remotely catchy, it’s now being covered absolutely to death. Of all the covers, the ones that stick out with me most are both from Chicagoans: Lil’ Durk’s, whose scratchy yet sing-songy flow fits with the beat effortlessly (Only complaint: Why did you cut my girl’s verse off of her own song?) and Tink’s, which finds her positively FLOATING with “Finish Him!”-level lyrics like “Youngest b**ch (bleeping) up these streets like my name North West.”
Childish Gambino – Dream/Southern Hospitality/Partna Dem
The intro from Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover’s new “STN MTN/Kauai” double mixtape is absolutely fascinating. Quick heads up: The whole “STN MTN” album is a dream sequence wherin Gambino (a rapper who gets continuously called “corny” and “soft” by people on the internet who haven’t been in a fight in years) has the “cred” to earn a Gangsta Grillz mixtape, an honor usually reserved for down by law guys like Jeezy and T.I. He drops some Atlanta-specific references that hit hard if you’ve ever lived there and then flows over Ludacris’ forgotten classic and the Atlanta rap group Rich Kidz ‘s gleeful ode to having friends.
Tinashe – 2 On/Feels Like Vegas
Former guest love interest on “2 and a Half Men” creates picture-perfect R&B thumpers that sound like tunes early ’00’s acts like Ciara and Cassie prayed for.
Maddie & Tae – Girl In A Country Song
I’m aware this song is impacting on country radio, but it’s a pretty awesome rebuttal to the somewhat repetitive themes in Blake Shelton/Florida-Georgia Line/etc. songs.
Bobby Shmurda – Hot N***a
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The song more famous for the dance it birthed into the world via Vine:
Yes, the Shmoney Dance is the Stanky Legg is the Superman That Ho is the Nae Nae is the Heisman is the John Wall is the Bankhead Bounce is the Crip Walk is the Cat Daddy is..you get it. Learn the dance. Keep it moving.
Caroline Rose – Blood On Your Boot heels
This is a rock song disguised as a country song that has juuuuuust enough rockabilly to make you tap a toe but not slick your hair back.
Lowell – Lgbt
This this Canadian singer will be lowkey soundtracking all your favorite stores to buy peplum dresses and New Balance sneakers next year.
Gorgon City (ft. Jennifer Hudson) – Go All Night
The new Disclosure.
Mystery Skulls – Paralyzed
It’s been a fun year for disco-dipped pop, and this track from former The Secret Handshake lead singer Luis Dubuc plans to keep the grooves going.
Here’s a playlist of all of the songs:
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