There has been a lot of great new music released over the last few weeks. You can find out what was released this weekend in our New Music Report, but take a look at what we've been listening to lately. Our editors Nicole and Isha have shared some of their Expert Picks for the week. Check it out below.
Nicole's Picks:
Arlissa & Jonas Blue - "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie"
Well, it's 2018, and we have our very first breakup anthem of the year ... and it's a bop. English singer/songwriter Arlissa and producer/DJ Jonas Blue have teamed up for their brand new collaboration "Hearts Ain't Gonna Lie," and if you started off your year with a breakup, this song is for you. The song is all about realizing that you're not right for each other, because, as the song says, "Hearts ain't gonna lie." Arlissa sings in the chorus, "We're half of the same/Don't take that the wrong way/You know what I mean/Hearts ain't gonna, hearts ain't gonna lie/Won't do this again/Don't take that the wrong way/You know what I mean/Hearts ain't gonna, hearts ain't gonna lie."
Youngr - "Ooh Lordy"
Youngr is kicking off the year with some brand new music, and a special present for fans. The Manchester singer released a new song called "Ooh Lordy," part of a 10-track collection of music he's released over the past year, and a few of his first-ever releases, appropriately called This Is Not An Album. "Ooh Lordy" is a carefree dance jam perfect for your weekend activities ... whatever they may be. He sings, "Oh, I didn't come for love/I came here for the freedom/Making love in the summer sun/Just like two criminals on the run, yeah."
Follow Nicole on Twitter: @NicoleMastr0
James' Picks:
Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA - "All The Stars"
Kendrick Lamar and SZA are a defiant duo on their new song called "All the Stars," a collab set to appear on the Lamar-produced and curated soundtrack for Marvel's upcoming movie, Black Panther. Clocking in at almost-four minutes, "All the Stars" finds the TDE acts offering the attitude atop sleek production from Al Shux & Sounwave. While K. Dot keeps the energy strong with confrontational bars about perseverance, it's SZA's pop-charged chorus that really brings the track full circle. "This may be the night that my dreams might let me know/ All the stars are closer, all the stars are closer, all the stars are closer," she croons during the pulsating hook.
Britney Spears - "(You Drive Me) Crazy" (Trace Adam '89 Remix)
If you were randomly inkling for an '80s makeover remix of Britney Spears’ beloved smash, “(You Drive Me) Crazy,” you’re in luck. Thanks to the talented mixer Trace Adams, the pop smash from almost 20 years ago has received a facelift with even a few new harmonies thrown into the mix. "I wanted to make a mix of this song that sounded like it came out ten years earlier than the original," Adam told BreatheHeavy.com. "I was going for a Paula Abdul kind of vibe that sounded completely like it was from that time, with nothing modern added. Kind of like it wouldn't be strange to hear it in the background of a Full House episode.” It’s literally the definition of the remix that you never knew you needed. Click here for more of Adam's remixes!
Follow James on Twitter: @newyorkinstinct
Isha's Picks:
Nino Man featuring Jadakiss "I Hate You"
This song touched us deeply. When you sit back and listen to the lyrics, all you hear are straight facts. From the beginning of Nino Man and Jadakiss’ "I Hate You," the two rap about the challenges they face because of the fame and fortune that they have such as losing friends, being seen as different, being misunderstood, etc. Nevertheless, none of that is making them stop or lose sight of continuing to reach for as many blessings as possible. Kiss raps: “I was taught to knock off the work then buy more/ I know I gotta hurt to die poor/ They say life is what you make of it/ But squares in your circle will always fuck up the shape of it.”
Raekwon – "The Sky"
Don’t sleep on Raekwon. The Wu Tang veteran is still armed for days with bars. The rapper showed us this when he dropped not one, but two new songs when 2018 hit. The tracks are entitled “The Sky” and “The Biz.” "The Sky" is produced by RoadsArt, and this cut is a soulful one that you won’t be able to listen to just once. It’s that type of song that you bump in order to vibe out from your everyday worries. Rock out with Raekwon with this heat, for sure.
Follow Isha on Twitter: @IshaThorpe