There's something in the wind, do you feel it? Like us, if you live in a place where fall is a thing, chances are it's happening now - for real. The air is crisper, the leaves, fallen to the ground and much crunchier... But I digress...
To help us get over our initial autumnal melancholy, Noname came through with her excellent album Room 25 and Octavian's SPACEMAN mixtape has the whole office abuzz. Lil Wayne bestowed upon us a fresh and firey banger alongside Swizz Beats with "Pistol On My Side (P.O.M.S)" and Topaz Jones gives us a "Toothache," but we're down. Lana Del Rey, however, is not helping us get through the onset of fall gloom with the release of her moody new jam "Mariners Apartment Complex," but we've let that slide because we can't stop listening to it.
All those and more make this edition of Best Tracks of the Week.
The 1975- "Sincerity Is Scary"
If I'm being 100% honest, I haven't been feeling any of the singles off The 1975's forthcoming album until now. "Sincerity Is Scary" flows like a spoken word performance as frontman Matty Healy makes an earnest plea for authenticity within the overly filtered frame of our postmodern society while supported by a jazz band. It's about breaking down the walls that we build to protect the image of ourselves that we project on to others for fear of being fully exposed. This song vaguely reminds me of "Caring Is Creepy" by The Shins and now I'll be excusing myself from all social activities so I can watch Garden State and pretend that the early 2000s never ended. The 1975's A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships LP is out on November 30 via Dirty Hit/Interscope. -S
Ciara - "Dose"
A few months after Ciara stomped back onto the scene with her empowering anthem "Level Up" (later remixed by supreme being Missy Elliott), she delivers us a "Dose" with her new track. With all the energy of a halftime show of a basketball game, drumline percussion and all (perhaps a wink to her NBA player husband Russell Westbrook), she reminds us all to "just get back up again when you fall." - B
D33J - “Nothing Left” ft. Deb Never & Shlohmo
You can always expect something dark and dramatic from D33J and his latest single does not disappoint as it drowns you in a flood of electronic sounds. The Los Angeles producer keeps it in the family on "Nothing Left," a grungy collaboration with WEDIDIT member Shlohmo and Deb Never. Are we really living in the era of an emo revival if it never really left to begin with? Try not to get too in your head about it and blast this track so loud that the walls around you start shaking. - S
Lana Del Rey - "Mariners Apartment Complex"
I don't think Lana Del Rey is capable of putting out a song that only makes me feel neutral. Lana's got me all up in my feelings yet again with "Mariners Apartment Complex." Not only did she team up with pop maestro Jack Antonoff on this soon-to-be-canonical Del Rey ballad, but she also gave us some equally moody black and white visuals to weep openly to. - B
Lolo Zouaï- "Challenge"
Bittersweet bangers are hard to come by which is exactly why all ears should be on Lolo Zouaï. The Brooklyn-based R&B singer will instantly win you over with her brand-new single, "Challenge" produced by frequent collaborator Stelios. "I left my feelings on the floor/ Now I can tell you want me more," she sings. If only the love game was as fun and easy as Lolo makes it seem on this sensual track. - S
MorMor- “Heaven’s Only Wishful” (Jacques Greene remix)
Is there anything better than Canadians coming together for the greater good? The original version of this song was flawless, but this remix elevates it in ways that listeners would never expect. Transport your mind to another realm and dive into the groove. - S
Noname - "Ace" ft. Smino & Saba
In case you missed it, the queen of Chicago is back with her new album Room 25, and this certified banger with Smino and Saba is testament to her lyrical excellence, which frankly, is unmatched by anyone. - C
Octavian - "Break That" ft. Suspect
Christmas came early this week when Octavian dropped his hugely anticipated Spaceman mixtape. Of the 14 little gifts he had for us, "Break That" featuring another rightfully hyped UK artist, Suspect, is without doubt an instant favourite. Anyone following the fine fettle of the London scene right now probably reacted just like this kid getting his first Nintendo64. - R
Swizz Beatz - "Pistol On My Side (P.O.M.S)" ft. Lil Wayne
It looks like Weezy's highly-anticipated album (I mean it for real this time) Tha Carter V will finally be seeing the light of day, if Lil Wayne's recent Billboard cover story is anything to go by. In the meantime, we're just gonna have this epic, piano-driven banger by Swizz Beats and Weezy on repeat. - B
Topaz Jones- “Toothache”
We don't know about you, but we love a good dose of funk any day of the week. Topaz Jones' "Toothache" is exactly what the doctor ordered with his super smooth vocals and bars... and that bassline! A song worthy of several laps around the roller disco, that's for sure. - B
Be sure to check out last week’s edition of our Best Tracks round up right here.
