Blood Orange - Charcoal Baby

A: Blood Orange
S: Charcoal Baby

“My newest album is an exploration into my own and many types of black depression, an honest look at the corners of black existence, and the ongoing anxieties of queer/people of color,” Blood Orange mind Hynes said. “A reach back into childhood and modern traumas, and the things we do to get through it all.”

... no one wants to be the negro swan.

Zazie - Speed

A: Zazie
S: Speed

Bon ca fait un moment, mais quand meme: Zazie est de retour ! Speed porte un magnifique piano. Qui prend de l’ampleur et s’accentue au fil du morceau. Le refrain porté par les guitares électrique saturé sont folles, accompagné de cette batterie puissante et rapide. Le morceau s’enflamme et vole haut. Très, très haut.

... l’univers ne s’arrête pas.

Pool - Moving On

A: Pool
S: Moving On

Straight out of Hamburg comes your last chance to dance. Just in time for this summer's sundowner comes one of the most original offerings for this year's summer anthem - a race that has, to my knowledge, not yet been called. So get your cocktails ready and your sand dance grooves on already.

... I turn my back to everything I have.

Tess Roby - Given Signs

A: Tess Roby
S: Given Signs

Montreal’s Tess Roby shares the dreamy opening track from her beautiful new album Beacon, out now, on nothing less than marble cloud vinyl via Italians Do It Better, which you might from some other acts of theirs, Chromatics, Glass Candy, and many more. Tess Roby is the latest addition to the gang, and what a stunner at it.

... the fade sees to be true.

Micah P. Hinson - Small Spaces

A: Micah P. Hinson
S: Small Spaces

Micah P. Hinson and the Musicians of the Apocalypse will release their new album When I Shoot At You With Arrows, I Will Shoot To Destroy You on October 26. Recorded in 24 hours somewhere in East Texas, the new album is the follow-up to last year’s universally-lauded Micah P. Hinson Presents the Holy Strangers and will be available on CD, LP and as a download.

... now and forever, now and ever.

Christine and the Queens - 5 Dollars

A: Christine and the Queens
S: 5 Dollars

Next month, French pop auteur Christine and the Queens aka the project of Héloïse Letissier will release her second album, Chris, which introduces her titular alter-ego. She's already offered two singles from the record and last week she shared yet another side of Chris with the brooding, kinky 5 Dollars.

... I don’t think the race is over baby.

Neneh Cherry - Kong

A: Neneh Cherry
S: Kong

Co-produced by Four Tet and Massive Attack’s 3D, Kong is anchored by low-gravity dub bass and a tinkling hi-hat; the effect is like a trip-hop song with the floor sucked out from under it. Cherry takes command through measured, rich vocals and empathic lyrics. You are welcome.

... I’m a member of shattered illusions.

Cat Power Feat. Lana Del Rey - Woman

A: Cat Power Feat. Lana Del Rey
S: Woman

Cat Power has released the first song and video for her upcoming album Wanderer. In the video for the song, you can hear Lana’s backing vocals, but La Rey is not featured in the clip. Instead, we see Marshall performing with a small, all-female band against different backdrops. Cat Power’s last album was 2012’s Sun.

... the doctor said I was better than ever.

Juanita Stein - All The Way

A: Juanita Stein
S: All The Way

Juanita Stein, the Howling Bells frontwoman turned solo artist, releases her brand new album, Until The Lights Fade, on August 31. While there’s a link with the dark cool of her previous band, this is a leaner and grittier offering, more direct and dynamic. Enjoy.

... heavy heart guides you through.

Nicki Minaj - Ganja Burn

A: Nicki Minaj
S: Ganja Burn

Hail to the queen! The clip kicks off with a few title cards explaining the story behind the video, where Nicki was the generous queen of an empire that had been overthrown by a close friend. Once she had enough rest, the story goes that the queen comes back to life stronger than ever, killing "everything in sight" for an all-out desert storm melee against her detractors.

... I straighten all these bitches out with one perm.

Doe Paoro - Over

A: Doe Paoro
S: Over

In 2012, singer songwriter Sonia Kreitzer aka Doe Paoro caught our eye as an Artist To Watch with her roomy style of alternative R&B and promising debut album, Slow To Love. Her new track comes to us alongside some golden hour visuals set to a dusky LA backdrop, questioning the healing process as Doe croons:

... now that I’m older, does it get easier to get over?

Janet Jackson x Daddy Yankee - Made For Now

A: Janet Jackson x Daddy Yankee
S: Made For Now

Janet Jackson's torrid run this year not only includes sets at music festivals, but a new single featuring Reggaeton heavyweight Daddy Yankee. Last Friday, Janet and Daddy teamed up for their saucy new collaboration titled Made for Now. Jackson delivers her afro-tinged banger, with a fun-filled visual as well, which takes place in Brooklyn at a neighborhood dance party.

... love is in the rhythm now.

half•alive - still feel.

A: half•alive
S: still feel.

Half•alive snuck onto the music scene in 2017 with three debut songs: The Fall, Aawake at Night, and Tip Toes are all catchy indie pop songs, heavy on guitar and bass with light and playful vocals over top. Their most recent release, still feel. is by far the grooviest. The track features relaxed call and response vocals, unexpected rhythmic stops and a chorus that swings hard. This song definitely warrants a dance music video, but boy did half•alive deliver.

... I am not a slave, can't be contained.

Many Voices Speak - Chances

A: Many Voices Speak
S: Chances

Put some Swedish in your Saturday because Sweden's newest talent Many Voices Speak has announced the release of her debut album Tank Town on August 31. Of Chances, which premiered on Billboard, Matilda says: Chances is a reminder to myself that being a misfit’s just a sign that you’re too far from the place where you feel at home. Enjoy.

... gotta go if I'm a baby.

Aretha Franklin - Don't Play That Song You Lied

A: Aretha Franklin
S: Don't Play That Song You Lied

Yesterday, as we were celebrating the 60th birthday of one queen, we started celebrating 76 years of another. So far the best and most badass story I've heard of La Franklin is her only giving a performance AFTER she received the money for the gig. No cash, no music.

... he kissed me and he walked away.

Madonna - Deeper And Deeper

A: Madonna
S: Deeper And Deeper

Happy Birthday Madge! 60 is only a number, but your dance moves are eternal. I'm sure you will keep rocking for the next 60 years which means longer than any of us proving life is fair after all. Stay sexy, always.

... think with your heart, not with your head.

Jungle - Heavy, California

A: Jungle
S: Heavy, California

Jungle have been the rising stars of XL Recordings since their breakout debut, which had swatches of jazz, funk, and soul all cooked within its modern structure. The London band’s been preparing its follow-up For Ever, its title seeming to imply they are aiming for timelessness. Enjoy.

... they say heaven's waiting for you.

All Saints - After All

A: All Saints
S: After All

Guess who's back with a comeback of the comeback. The most iconic ‘90s pop group talk about teaming up with “Pure Shores” producer William Orbit again for their new album Testament - out now.

Jungle - Cherry

A: Jungle
S: Cherry

Get your calendars out, paper or app I don't care. This neo-soul duo will not only head out on a huge worldwide tour, Jungle have also announced the release date of their second album entitled For Ever. The follow-up to their Mercury-nominated 2014 self-titled debut is released on September 14.

... you never gonna change me.

Kali Uchis Feat. Tyler, The Creator, Bootsy Collins - After The Storm

A: Kali Uchis Feat. Tyler, The Creator, Bootsy Collins
S: After The Storm

Earlier this year, Kali Uchis shared a video for After The Storm, the track she released featuring Tyler, The Creator and funk legend Bootsy Collins. It’s an immaculately directed clip by Nadia Lee Cohen that starts with Uchis making a shopping list over breakfast that includes finding a lover and follows her to the store where she gets the ingredients to make her perfect man.

... look both ways before you cross my mind.

Cashmere Cat, Major Lazer, Tory Lanez - Miss You

A: Cashmere Cat, Major Lazer, Tory Lanez
S: Miss You

Simplicity rules. Just ask Cashmere Cat and Major Lazer. The first-time collaborators were scratching their heads for months trying to find the perfect drop for the Tory Lanez-assisted Miss You, but it was only when they stopped overthinking the process that they saw the light. Enjoy.

... you always end up by my side.

Diplo Feat. Lil Yachty & Santigold - Worry No More

A: Diplo Feat. Lil Yachty & Santigold
S: Worry No More

Diplo geared up and put out the California EP earlier this year, which was his first solo release in five years. For a serial collaborator like Diplo, of course, a solo release isn’t that solo at all . Get It Right featured Danish pop star MØ, Look Back features DRAM, and the latest song Worry No More has both Lil Yachty and Santigold on board.

... I just want to ball like the big league.

Nicki Minaj Feat. Ariana Grande - Bed

A: Nicki Minaj Feat. Ariana Grande
S: Bed

In the long history of top-tier pop collabs, there are plenty of examples of seemingly complementary pairings going horribly awry. Thankfully, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande's Bed isn't one of them. Now, the SupaDubs-assisted Queen single has an official video featuring a previously teased mermaid and a cameo from Odell Beckham Jr. 

... I could make all your dreams come true.

Big Freedia Feat. Lizzo - Karaoke

A: Big Freedia Feat. Lizzo
S: Karaoke

While she’s busy making headlines by collaborating with huge names like Beyoncé, Diplo and Drake, Big Freedia is also continuing her solo career. Earlier this year, she released her EP 3rd Ward Bounce. One of the most notable songs was Karaoke, a pop-laced jam featuring pop and hip-hop up-and-comer Lizzo. So naturally, when it came time to shoot a video, Freedia teamed up with the Good as Hell singer to deliver their fans what they’ve come to expect.

... if you live this loud, show it.

Papi Hans - SUPERPALAV

A: Papi Hans
S: SUPERPALAV

If you are looking for a sweet summer tune to get your rhythm flowing, I suggest you listen to this song without watching the video. If you are wondering what the Russian version of Blurred Lines would look like and if we made any progress during the past 12 months, watch it, and spoiler alert: we haven't.

... kак завиждам, че ме срещна.

A$AP Rocky Feat. Skepta - Praise The Lord (Da Shine)

A: A$AP Rocky Feat. Skepta
S: Praise The Lord (Da Shine)

A$AP Rocky and Skepta pay tribute to their hometowns in the grunge-y video for their collab Praise the Lord (Da Shine). As it turns out, international living isn't so different after all. Or maybe living in Trumpistan isn't so different than living in Brexit Britain. Not that does two define the term internash living. Thank fcuk.

... even stop the smoking when it's time to focus.

Billie Eilish - You Should See Me In A Crown

A: Billie Eilish
S: You Should See Me In A Crown

Before releasing this little gem, Billie stated that the song was inspired by the TV show Sherlock. "We wrote this song 'cause of Sherlock, actually, 'cause there's a scene where Jim Moriarty says, "You should see me in a crown" and me and my brother were like "hey that's jiggy as fuck". Then we just sorta made the song about being jiggy I guess, and you should see me in a crown, so there it is."

... your silence is my favorite sound.

Charlotte Gainsbourg - Sylvia Says

A: Charlotte Gainsbourg
S: Sylvia Says

Charlotte Gainsbourg shared the music video for her song Sylvia Says quite a while ago, but it seems it somehow hasn't ended up on this blog yet. The clip, directed by Nathalie Canguilhem, finds Gainsbourg walking the streets of New York City, levitating on floating disco balls, and more. Watch the perplexing clip below. Happy weekend.

... sell me a trick or two.

MØ, Diplo - Sun In Our Eyes

A: MØ, Diplo
S: Sun In Our Eyes

MØ and Diplo continue their creative streak with the nostalgic new single Sun in Our Eyes. The song is the lead single off MØ’s sophomore album Forever Neverland, due out on October 19th, and has the Danish singer looking back on summers past, having memories of a lover during the summertime. 

... we were footprints in the sand.

Robyn - Missing U

A: Robyn
S: Missing U

Electric pop star Robyn sat down with BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac yesterday to premiere her brand-new single Missing U, about the empty space left behind by a lost lover. ​She also revealed a documentary in the works and that her album is set to drop later this year. Freaking finally.

... there's this empty space you left behind.

Phum Viphurit - Long Gone

A: Phum Viphurit
S: Long Gone

"Here it is, Long Gone! I wrote this while playing around with the looper function of my multi effects pedal. I hope you dance (even if you don't know how) and soak in these vibes. In homage to the denim overalls and middle parted haircuts of the late late 90's, please listen and share!", said Phum Viphurit in 2017.

... let's pretend we rule this town.