New Songs Sunday: A look at this week’s tracks

1. Chlöe – Have Mercy

The one half of pop-RnB duo Chloe x Halle releases her first single as a solo artist. Chlöe Bailey does not disappoint. “Have Mercy” is a seductively self-loving track.

2. Lorde – Te Ara Tika/The Path

A new version of Lorde’s ‘Solar Power’ album has dropped. This new 5-track EP, titled ‘Te Ao Mārama’, is a Māori language version that comprises five songs that appeared in ‘Solar Power’. “Te Ara Tika” is the first track on the EP. Lorde’s voice here is sweet and warmly welcoming. It’s refreshing to hear the Kiwi singer pay tribute to the national language of her country.

3. Kate Nash – Horsie

“Horsie” is a heart-soaring ballad that starts off quietly and concludes in a grandly satisfying way. The English singer marvellously paints a picture of wide landscapes and open skies.

4. Rico Nasty – Switch Places

Alternative rapper Rico Nasty has been working hard, non-stop. Recently, she dropped two tracks, “Switch Places” and “Grow Up” on YouTube and SoundCloud. “Switch Places” goes hard with a hypnotizing ground-thumping beat. It’s even better than her last song “Buss.”

5. illuminati hotties – Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism

illuminati hotties is an LA-based indie rock band and a songwriting vehicle for producer, mixer and sound engineer Sarah Tudzin. Their upcoming album ‘Let Me Do One More’ will be released on October 1. “Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism” is a slow-tempo rock song tinged with nostalgia-induced heartache.

6. MOONGA K, Sampa The Great – REBEL TIME

MOONGA K and featuring artist Sampa The Great offer us a stylishly cool track. Sampa is a truly gifted artist. Every track she touches turns to gold. After listening to “REBEL TIME”, check out her collaborations with B Wise, Angelique Kidjo, Tony Allen and Quakers.

7. ENNY – Daily Duppy (Don’t Cry)

ENNY shoots her shot at a drill freestyle for the GRM Daily channel. The artist’s rapping here sounds softened and too rushed, lacking the force she displayed in her EP “Under Twenty-Five”. While the bars are sharp and clever, the delivery is sadly monotonous and unenergetic.

8. Shygirl – BDE (feat. Kaydy Cain) (Florentino remix)

The London rapper’s hit track “BDE” has a new remix. With a reggaeton beat by producer Florentino, the remix feels brighter. Shygirl swaps her previous collaborator Slowthai for Spanish rapper Kaydy Cain, whose rumbling, sleepy style of delivery here makes the song sound so ridiculous that it feels like a big troll moment. Slowthai’s raunchy verse in the original song will be missed.

9. Greentea Peng – Free My People (feat. Kid Cruise and Simmy) (The Streets remix)

The Streets put their own spin on Greentea Peng’s acclaimed song. The result is an elevator-friendly, lo-fi type track. The habitual spoken word verses will need some getting used to.

10. Tay Money – The Assignment

Tay Money certainly understood the assignment with this track. The rapper can make the poking out of a tongue sound so pleasing to the ears. After listening to “The Assignment”, check out the track “PBJ” to know what we mean. 

11. RAY BLK – Over You (feat. Stefflon Don)

The British artist grieves the death of a relationship to a catchy afro-dance beat. Stefflon’s feature here doesn’t stand out as much as they used to. But it’s a helluva catchy song. 

12. Josie Man – Stormy Skies (Diamonds)

Self-proclaimed “identity pop” singer Josie Man delivers what is expected of her. “Stormy Skies (Diamonds)” sees the artist apply some formulaic pop progressions, thus making her song sound familiar. What stands out are the bittersweet lyrics that compare tears to little diamonds.

13. Big Thief – Certainty

Another satisfyingly produced folk-rock song by Big Thief. Lately, the American rock band fronted by Adrianne Lenker just does not miss.

14. Holly Humberstone – Scarlett

The 21-year old dedicates her latest single to her childhood best friend, Scarlett. The titular single has a surprisingly catchy chorus.

15. Remi Wolf – Guerrilla

“Guerrilla” is a pleasure to listen to from beginning to end. The pop-flavoured RnB artist is a ray of sunshine and swagger in these rainy days.

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