Mos Def – “Sensei On The Block”:
Brooklyn’s Yasiin Bey has rebooted his previous moniker of Mos Def by releasing a new track called “Sensei On The Block”, featuring production credits from Ski Beatz. The track has an old school boom bap feel, allowing Mos to exercise his lyrical proficiency and flow, while boasting razor sharp production, crunching claps and a rattling steel drum sample that sounds like something Jamie xx would pick out. Listen to the track via Youtube below and pick up a copy of the track and the instrumental on iTunes.
Calvin Harris + Disciples – “How Deep Is Your Love (DJ Snake Remix)”:
With the popularity this song has gained, it was only a matter of time before a string of remixes were released. The latest being DJ Snake’s rather ornate version which was released on Vevo today. This remix isn’t very subtle with it’s trap-house style which manipulates the chorus vocals into DJ Snake’s signature arabic snake charming-like sound. The track ends up sounding very brash and busy and can only be taken in small doses as there is very little respite. The only thing that saves this remix is the build up and the drop. You can give it a listen below.
Halsey – Badlands (Album):
Halsey’s newly released debut album Badlands introduces the artist with a powerful force as a unique and daring young talent. Aged 20, Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, who is known by her stage name Halsey, describes this album as an “angry female record”, which can be noted in her honest, often explicit lyrics, referring to drugs, sex and love, expressed through a durable, addictive voice. The album has a transcendental, electronic pop sound, and her lyrics steal the listener’s attention with a surprisingly intricate sense of modern thought and youthful zest.
In her song, “New Americana”, from Badlands, she explores contemporary society’s attempt to remove walls, ever-changing conventions and the blending of cultures, which is just one example of her talent, as she sings intimately descriptive lyrics with a frank, conversational tone over bright, soaring pop production. Listen to and purchase her new album here.
Transviolet – “Bloodstream”:
The eerie, electronic and enigmatic Transviolet are back with new single “Bloodstream”. The second track off of their upcoming EP is even more groundbreaking than their first “Girls Your Age”. The lead singer’s haunting voice sounds slightly like Lady Gaga on acid especially on the chorus, while she switches singing speeds with ease and adds tons of reverb for a truly unique style. The instrumentation start with a very heavy sounding beat which gives the track an aura of darkness along with the electric guitar on the chrous, however there is a light piano motif that runs throughout to offset the dark feel of the song. You can listen to the track below.
Omarion + French Montana + Kid Ink – “I’m Up”:
Omarion has suffered a chequered career since his debut around ten years ago, but he seems to have come back with a vengeance recently and his Maybach Music deal is finally taking fruition. This new song “I’m Up” looks set to be a Hip Hop summer hit with the help of French Montana and Kid Ink who add some credibility to the track. The video does not fall far from the usual, with a host of women dancing and gyrating, while Omarion shows off his wealth in honour of the song’s name with a mansion, cars and countless chains around his neck. You can watch the video below.
Macklemore + Ryan Lewis – “Downtown”:
Finally some eagerly anticpated new music from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis has landed in the shape of “Downtown” and with the single, comes the official music video. The track and the video are a funk spectacular straight out of the eighties; eighties clothes, eighties flows and even eighties appearances by Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee and Grandmaster Caz.
The video consists of moped riding, dancing and walking the streets in scenes reminiscent of the film Breakdance. The instrumentation on “Downtown” is dominated by the funkiest bassline around and the Hip Hop beat to match, along with Macklemore’s flawless flow, this song looks set to be a hit. You can watch the video below.
Skepta + Bashy + Kano – “Can’t See Me Again”:
Grime heavyweights Skepta, Bashy and Kano have teamed up for a track that sounds like it is straight out of the noughties. They were brought together for Alwayz Recordings’ upcoming mixtape Concrete Jungle and really show why they are so respected by everybody in the Grime scene, with each displaying intelligent wordplay, speed and finesse. The beat is characteristically dark with Garage-like synths that actually makes it sound grimey, apart from the lyrics and the line up, the production is the best thing about this track. You can listen to the below.
Susan Banx – “That Kind Bobo”:
Following a short hiatus from the Nigerian music landscape, after the huge success and critical acclaim of her last two singles “Dance Floor” and “Home (Ile)” which were championed by the likes of MTV Base, Beat FM, Rhythm FM, Cool FM, BBC 1Xtra and On Top Radio, UK-based Nigerian Afropop sensation Susan Banx is back with a brand new single titled “That Kind Bobo”.
Produced by Eminik, and written by Susan Banx in collaboration with Jeff Jones, 2BadGuyz, Ice Cake and DJ Excel, “That Kind Bobo” is an instant fan favourite and ladies anthem, led by Banx’s captivating vocal display, her playful and relatable lyrics, thumping drum patterns and an infectious synth-heavy bassline. Oozing with exciting Pop and Afrobeats sensibilities, this one has hit written all over it.
Feeling refreshed after her time away from the scene, Susan Banx is raring to go, with a second single already in the works and works on her debut EP well under way. About “That Kind Bobo”, Susan Banx says, “I wrote this on for the all the ladies out there, when you find what keeps you warm inside and what you really love; hold on to it”. Enjoy the massive new tune “That Kind Bobo” below.
Words by Nick Bimson, Joshua James, Lauren Hurell and Ayo Adepoju
