Happy July! Ya girl was traveling last week and despite my best efforts to keep my ear to the ground for new music and do a write-up for y’all, I really needed to step away from my devices. But we did get a lot of great music for me to sink my teeth into this week! So without further delay, here’s my top picks as we depart from my birthday month and say hi to July:
Off the heels of a very moisturized Tiny Desk concert, my fave has released his newest single and the matching video with City Girls. It’s giving modern skate rink hit meets backyard day party, so you definitely need this on your summer playlist. And I was literally just saying yesterday that Usher really likes the verb “freak” and well, my point is proven here.
Blxst is slowly making his name as the go-to voice you put on a bop. This is a song you’d hear on a slow night at the club when the DJ still has some self-respect but they don’t need a club banger to keep the drinks flowing at the bar.
The remainder of my summer’s mood is to dance and wind and grind to my heart’s content, so this is the energy I’m waking up to everyday. We dancing in the shower, in the kitchen and in the streets to this one this July.
We love Jade Novah in this house, and you know I love when the cover art speaks to a song really well, and this funky celestial image definitely gives you a good sense of the ride this song takes you on. Kenyon Dixon is a great match for the vibes as well, so this song is a very nice addition to the summer love song playlists for your backyard get-togethers.
I know Jeremih is on that list of crooners who weren’t singing to their best on Verzuz last week, but he’s a solid support on this song. I’m not hip to Nakkia Gold but I can appreciate what this song aims to accomplish. The beat lives independent from the melody line but they compliment, reminiscent of someone like Craig David. The lyrics are solid but this production is something I want to listen to over and over again to break it down.
The queen of the club bop is back, and I can already hear every hip-hop club DJ spinning this one into their set because it goes. It is interesting that City Girls’ new song has a quick sample of The Cha-Cha Slide and this song has one for the Electric Slide… I’m not going to think-piece that to death but just wanted you to know that I peeped. ‘Ye also sounds pretty good here, but Cardi and Durk certainly ate.
This song has been sitting in my queue for a minute and I’m glad I finally listened to it. The sultry production makes me think this song is meant for a sexy movie scene in a smoky bar. Muni Long’s Ep Public Displays of Affection is also out now so support a beautiful Black woman and stream that too (especially my honorable mention favorite from the project, “Cartier”)!
Giveon was one of a few who gifted us with a whole project last week, and here’s to hoping he can perform these live without the mic sabotage. All jokes aside, this song has a nice groove and his solemn tone fits the sound really well– everything I want and expect from Giveon.
I heard this song for the first time while I was floating in my friend’s pool in Malibu last week and it matched my summer vibes perfectly. And while yes, I know I’m late as hell, it’s been stuck in my head everyday since, so now I want it stuck in your head. It’s not necessarily what I would call a Forever21 bop, but make no mistake, if I heard this song in Urban I would have to buy something on sheer principle.
I have this thing with eyes so believe me, this cover art is terrifying to me, but the song is REALLY good. Willow is in her BAG with the rock genre, it fits her voice really well. I have a strong fascination and appreciation for electric guitars as well and this song highlights a really great guitar line. 10/10 would recommend.
As always, you can find the playlists above, nice and updated for your listening pleasure. Send me your favorites that I have here or ones I missed, I love to be put on too! Hope the start of this month is good to you ✨
-T