This was a rough week for ya girl, and without getting into it, I’ll just say that I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few days meditating on the power of music. I can’t think of too many things like music that can universally unite and uplift people, and there’s nothing like music that can make me feel better, especially when nothing else can. So with that said, let’s get into some of my favorite new releases for the week:
Mahalia’s EP has finally arrived, and it’s been great to listen to it all in its intended sequence, as she’s been sprinkling the single drops one by one over the past few weeks. Wow is all I can really say about this song in particular. This is a message to a toxic ex-boyfriend’s next partner, and it’s so honest and sad and everything you don’t know you actually want right now.
I’ve been in my head all week and this song makes me feel safe up there. It also helped bring me back down. Her full Hypnos album dropped this weekend and I will be slowly making my way through it, but I’ve liked what I’ve heard thus far. I’m a sucker for mellow vibes but I want to be in the right headspace to really appreciate all of the dynamics and elements in their fullness. For now, this song will be a feature replay on my working playlist for these chill WFH days.
No disrespect to Mr. Legend but the JID feature made me listen to this one and I was not disappointed. One of my favorite flows and voices, something told me JID was going to eat this up and here we are. The production is giving Ne-Yo’s “One in a Million” which I randomly rediscovered a few weeks ago and resurfaced to my playlists; and now with this song, it’s in good company.
Another voice that hardly ever lets me down. I don’t listen to him enough! This is a Teyonna classic, if you’ve been following any of my other lists then this is giving… well, me. Complete with some moody background vocals, a little vocal mod and an electric guitar moment, this is easily a new favorite.
I am a big fan of Leven Kali and when I tell you this song caught my attention– I was just listening to a new release playlist made for me (thank you, Spotify) and when this started, I had to go and check who this is and yeah, checks out. Again, thank you Spotify.
My good sis Mychelle dropped her EP today! I invite y’all to dive in, as I will be doing the same. This is a voice I’ve featured on my lists before and I’m happy to have her back. This song is very pretty and it gives relaxing bath vibes. From what I’ve heard, the whole EP is perfect for a deep soak.
Now this. This song is exactly the switch up I needed in my week and Chris kind of really snapped. Like, I didn’t want to like what he’s doing on this song. I truly was looking for a reason to not like it, but I can’t deny the heat. He honestly ate this song up.
It’s time for the Forever 21 song of the week, and I’m more than happy to bestow this honor on queer icon, Hayley Kiyoko. For the record, I was a Hayley Kiyoko fan back in the Lemonade Mouth days, let alone before the Kehlani feature, so I will always stay a little plugged in. Also, this cover art? Here for it.
Country queen! I don’t follow her as closely as she deserves, but thank goodness for my Spotify release radar. My best friend is moving to Nashville soon, and I’m determined to go visit and hit the bars and impress everyone with my knowledge of the current country hits.
They had me at the Troop sample, “All I Do” is one of my favorite songs probably of all time. I know just about every cover and remake, and I’m glad I didn’t miss this sample. There’s some other samples and references and interpolations sprinkled throughout the song that make me feel right at home as a lover of throwbacks, so overall, this song makes me feel seen.
This week’s updates were a collaborative effort! I love to be put on as much as I love putting y’all on, so let me know what resonates with you and what you’re listening to that I’m missing on my lists! Till next week, y’all.
-T