Weekly Favorites: My Top Tracks from the Week #3
Weekly Favorites: My Top Tracks from the Week #3
Favorite New Tracks of the Week (May 20–27)
Welcome to "Weekly Favorites" for the official third time! This week's edition covers May 20-27, and it's been a busy week filled with awesome new music. Whether you're looking for fresh beats to add to your playlist or just want to stay updated on the latest hits, I've got you covered. So, without further ado, here's the roundup of all my favorite tracks. Enjoy!
No Problems by Ginger Root
The new single "No Problems" by Ginger Root offers a preview of his upcoming album "SHINBANGUMI," set to release in September this year. The track is energetic and relaxing, hinting at great things to come. I'm really looking forward to hearing more.
Black&Blue by Vince Staples
Vince Staples is back with a new album titled "Dark Times." It's quite cloudy and abrasive, perhaps his most mature work yet. I really enjoyed listening to it—another great addition to this year's hip hop list. My favorite track was "Black & Blue," and I also really liked "Little Homies."
teeth by mary in the junkyard
"This Old House" is the debut EP by a thrilling experimental rock trio called mary in the junkyard, composed of guitarist and vocalist Clari Freeman-Taylor, bassist and viola player Saya Barbaglia, and drummer David Addison. It's a powerful first release that left a significant impression on me. My favorite track is "teeth."
Sexy to Someone by Clairo
This single serves as a teaser for Clairo's upcoming album, "Charm," set to release in July. The sweet indie pop/soft rock track is intimate and tightly produced. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
Next Semester by twenty one pilots
Twenty One Pilots are back with a new album, and I must say it's pretty good. I haven't been keeping up with them much, so I'm glad they've released something I can really get into. The album has a deep lore that I'm not yet familiar enough with to discuss, but for a casual listener, it's a solid record. I had a few contenders for my favorite track, but in the end, "Next Semester" stuck with me the most.
AmEN! by Bring Me the Horizon feat. Lil Uzi Vert, Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw
Bring Me the Horizon is back with their first full release since 2019, and I was pretty satisfied with it. It's very emo in style, with some great ideas and catchy songs. "AmEN!" was probably my favorite track.
LOST! by RM
The leader of the mega-popular Korean group BTS is back with his second official full-length album. It's very different from everything he's previously worked on, both with the group and as a solo artist. This album is a mix of jazz rap, contemporary R&B, and neo-soul, taking him in a whole new direction. I liked a few songs quite a bit, but "LOST" stuck with me the most.
Soul-net by DIIV
"Frog in Boiling Water" is a new release by DIIV. It's a pretty good album with some amazing shoegaze, dream pop, and space rock revival sounds. I enjoyed it quite a lot since it's right up my alley. I really loved the ethereal and dreamy atmosphere the tracks had, though at times it can be daunting and leave it sounding repetitive. My favorite song was "Soul-net."
Calling After Me by Wallows
The alternative rock band Wallows, consisting of Dylan Minnette, Braeden Lemasters, and Cole Preston, is back with a new record, and it might be their weakest yet. Reflective of their earlier work, a couple of tracks stood out to me, however, as a whole, the album didn't fully captivate me. My favorite track was "Calling After Me."
LA PRESA by Nathy Peluso
"GRASA" is a new record by Argentine and Spanish singer Nathy Peluso. It's a pretty strong release that really stood out to me. Featuring numerous highlights and an eclectic blend of influences spanning from Latin pop to hardcore hip-hop, this album offers a diverse and immersive experience. "LA PRESA" particularly caught my attention as my favorite track.
Strange World by La Luz
“News of the Universe” is a new record by indie band La Luz, it;s a really interesting bland of Neo-Psychedelia and surf rock. The consistently stellar basslines and vocals establish a distinctive ambiance across the album, making it particularly memorable to me, “Strange World” was my favorite track.
Brenda & Diane by Young Jesus
Indie rock band "Young Jesus" is back with a new record titled "The Fool". This indie rock/singer-songwriter piece felt slightly weaker than their previous work but still offered an interesting listen. I appreciated the storytelling aspect, yet the overall album left me somewhat underwhelmed and found it slightly repetitive. Despite this, the opening track "Brenda & Diane" stood out as my favorite.
trespass coat by Niko B feat. dexter in the newsagent
The debut full-length album by English rapper Tom George Austin, better known by his stage name Niko B, titled "Dog Eat Dog Food World," offers a fun listening experience. While the flow can become somewhat repetitive at times, the overall production is enjoyable. My favorite track was "Trespass Coat."
Shortest Fuse by Softcult
"Heaven," the latest EP from the Canadian duo Softcult, consisting of twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn, showcases their strongest work yet. Their shoegaze, indie/alt-rock sound resonates deeply with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed this release. It envelops listeners in an ethereal and dreamlike ambiance, leaving me eager for their future work. While I loved all the tracks, "Shortest Fuse" stood out as my favorite.
Thrown Around by James Blake
James Blake's latest single, "Thrown Around," diverges slightly from his usual melancholic style, offering a pleasant surprise. It's remarkably catchy, utilizing echoing vocals to craft a danceable beat. With its feel-good and upbeat vibe, it promises an enjoyable listening experience for anyone. Truly, it's the kind of music that appeals to a broad audience.
The Thin Grey Line by $uicideboy$
The latest single from $uicideboy$ is a blend of fast-paced, upbeat energy with moments of gloom and darkness, occasionally veering into spooky territory. The flow of the song is seamless, leaving me eager for their upcoming album, "NEW WORLD DEPRESSION," set to release in June.
Pink Skies by Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan returns with yet another solid track that embodies everything he's known for: a simple song structure, polished production, yet retaining a raw and authentic feel, accompanied by profoundly poetic lyrics. I'm eagerly anticipating his upcoming album, "The Great American Bar Scene."
Two Wrongs by Samana
Samana's latest self-titled indie folk release is severely underrated, delivering some of the most captivating indie/chamber folk sounds in recent memory. It's a stunning and atmospheric experience, with haunting vocals layered over exquisite orchestral arrangements. "Two Wrongs" stood out as my favorite track, showcasing the depth and beauty of their musical expression.
40 Stripes Minus One by Fly Over States
This short EP, titled "Ghost," by Fly Over States, delivers a fast-paced blend of post-hardcore, emo, and metalcore that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's tightly produced, highly accessible, and offers a lot of excitement in just four tracks. While "40 Stripes Minus One" stands out the most for me, all the tracks are quite solid. I'm eager to hear more from them in the future.
Dancing With Sue by Wyatt C. Louis
"Chandler" marks the impressive full-length debut album from Wyatt C. Louis, showcasing their talents as a singer-songwriter in the realms of Americana and chamber folk. Despite being highly underrated, this record presents classic Americana sounds with an easygoing yet deeply touching vibe. I thoroughly enjoyed it last week, with "Dancing With Sue" standing out as my favorite track.
The past week was brimming with new releases from already popular artists and plenty of indie gems that truly caught my attention. How has your week been? What old or new music have you been listening to?