It’s 11:59 pm and you’re refreshing your favorite artist’s streaming pages. Your hands are clammy, your heart is beating fast: is that a panic attack looming on the horizon or is that just a symptom of an incredibly unhealthy relationship you have to someone you have never met? Does it matter? It’s now midnight and you’ve somehow managed to already be halfway through the newly released album.
This might be how some Dua Lipa supporters discovered the expanded (Moonlight) edition of Future Nostalgia. Having listened to the new material from COVID sometime-voice of reason sometime-voice of denial pop superstar Dua Lipa, I feel for those fans who were expecting more in the veins of 2020 standouts Hallucinate, Physical or Love Again. Instead, they got… this. We’re good, thanks.
Taylor Swift announced the release of the 2021 edition of Fearless following her long-standing battle with the owners of her recordings. She set out to re-record her entire discography because she can (she owns the publishing rights). And she gave us ‘Love Story (Taylor’s Version)’ this week as a teaser (see below).
Judas and the Black Messiah’s soundtrack was released and it’s a star-studded affair with bangers left and right — I’ve included my favorites in this New Music Monday.
A court zoom meeting made the rounds as a man had a hard time disabling a cat filter during proceedings and it’s the wholesome content we deserve — or a second-hand embarrassment nightmare depending on who you ask.
The NYT Framing Britney Spears documentary has expanded awareness of the #freebritney movement and triggered an outpouring of apologies from the media on the reporting and treatment of female celebrities in the 00s have started pouring out. Justin Timberlake also apologized but twitter is not letting him off the hook anytime soon.
In Valentine’s Day news, ROSALIA and Bad Bunny have released a fiery video for ‘La Noche de Anoche’, a El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo highlight that deserved such a fine visual.
Finally I just got into the Hip-Hop Evolution doc series and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of the origins of hip-hop and subsequent developments — all packaged in a highly-entertaining format.
Let’s get into my favorite tracks out this week:
— — — Absolute Fave — — —
What It Feels Like — Nipsey Hussle, JAY-Z
‘What It Feels Like’ feels like a glorious demonstration of talent gone too soon. The track is impeccably put together, blending East and West Coast rap seamlessly and reminding us that JAY-Z is still on top of his game three decades in. The lush instrumentals creates an ideal canvas for what will surely stand as one of Nipsey’s posthumous career highlights.
— — — More great tracks — — —
Friday (Remix) — Rebecca Black (feat. 3OH!3, Big Freedia, Dorian Electra)
The revenge remix of ‘Friday’ Rebecca deserved. The track sees her digging deeper into the hyperpop trench, linking up with Dylan Brady on production. Had they decided to give Rebecca’s vocals a bit of a break, the track would have been much better for it in my opinion. Still, as it stands, it’s an indisputable banger — and I have a soft spot for the SOPHIE influence in the Big Freedia part.
CANCELLED — slowthai (feat. Skepta)
This Skepta-assisted cut from slowthai’s new album goes hard. It does feel like a Skepta track featuring slowthai but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. I’ve been working on a little something on TYRON so keep an eye out for that.
Love Story (Taylor’s Version) — Taylor Swift
Let’s cut to the chase: Taylor really elevated ‘Love Story’ with this new take on her classic. Hear the snappy fiddle, the bright drums, the thicker production! Talk about a makeover! While staying largely faithful to the original, this reprise takes a couple of instrumental liberties and is just a fuller, more well-rounded track.
Contagious — SAFE, Kiana Ledé
Another cut from the Judas and the Black Messiah’s soundtrack, it combines the sensual croon of SAFE with Kiana Lede’s crystalline vocals along a thumping beat that dares you to try and not groove to it.
Better Than I Imagined — DJ Tunez Remix — Robert Glasper (feat. H.E.R., Meshell Ndegeocello)
This remix of ‘Better Than I Imagined’ is a surprising take on the original. It pins down the melody to tribal percussions, molding H.E.R. harmonies around something almost ceremonial in nature. It feels reverent, it feels organic, it feels of the moment, it feels meant to be.
Loneliness — Birdy
Another single from Birdy’s upcoming LP. No frills yet it sounds like new wind is blowing for the British star. And we get to hear all of it, in a mix that has preserved the rougher edges of the instrumentation to the listener’s delight. This seems to be where a lot of the more folksy/indie rock music is headed: a sound that does its best to simulate a live setting while being very deliberate it what parts it wants to preserve and what others it’s going to discard to convey the illusion of a polished but organic live session before our very own ears.
Right There — Floorplan
‘Right There’ starts at a 10 and stays there. It can get exhausting but who asked me to listen to it ten times in a row?
Dear August — PJ Harding, Noah Cyrus
It’s oh so delightful when artists get pop country right. The world seemed to agree when Taylor released Fearless and Speak Now. Now I’m telling you ‘Dear August’ is a sublime statement in this lane and you should be paying attention. The track sounds focused and dedicated to one and only one thing: looking far and wide for a light at the end of the tunnel.
Relapse. — Gallant
Wins most transportive track of the week. Hands down.
Plead The .45th — Smino, Saba
Smino rarely misses so why would this time be different? The dextrous rapper always surprises with twists and turns. This time Saba comes and matches his demeanor.
Sagittarius Superstar — COIN (feat. Faye Webster)
Runner up to most transportive track of the week.
Heaven — Pink Sweat$
Pink Sweat$ pulls no stop to turn our attention to his vocal prowess. ‘Heaven’ is lush and vibrant, laying down celestial vocals and angelic orchestration that doesn’t leave anything up to chance.
Need even more? Also check out (YouTube links):
On Your Way Now — Sharon Van Etten
Rich Ni*** Problems — A$AP Rocky
i believe in you — Hand Habits
Jah Love — Popcaan, Zamunda, Dre Island
Siberia — Headie One (feat. Burna Boy)
Thanks for reading, happy listening!
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Best Releases February 2021 Spotify playlist: here
Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated! Hope you enjoyed it
Twitter: @red_dziri
