- Words Kitty Robson
With iconic new collaborations and vibrant remixes, here's every new track you need to get on your playlist for this weekend.
‘Favourite’ by Fontaines DC
The newest single from their upcoming album, Fontaines D.C.’s ‘Favourite’ is a softer sound than the previous single ‘Starburster’, showing the indie-er side to the rock band. Featuring some The Cure-esque guitar riffs and lilting background vocals, it’s an exciting tease of what the group might be exploring in the new project and we can’t wait to find out.
‘us’ by Gracie Abrams & Taylor Swift
Is there anything quite as exciting than a feature from a major artist on a new star's record? Having supported her since the early days of her career, the mastermind that is Taylor Swift and rising artist Gracie Abrams become fast friends, bonding over their love of music until it naturally evolved into a must-listen track. Produced by Taylor's bestie-collaborators Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, it's a satisfying culmination of all their sounds into one pretty little package.
‘the girl so confusing version with Lorde’ by Charli xcx & Lorde
brat really is the gift that keeps on giving. Today's gift is a remix collab from the rumoured (now all but confirmed) muse of 'girl so confusing' AKA Lorde. Creating a two-sided dialogue to the thoughtful song about how tough it is to be a woman (especially one in the music industry), the confessional lyrics paired with the earworm sound make this an absolute rollercoaster ride of a track in the best way possible.
‘Time For Slurp’ by King Krule
Taken off his latest EP SHHHHHHH!, King Krule’s ’Time For Slurp’ showcases his boundary-breaking skill and experimental sound perfectly. Delivered alongside a self-directed music video where Krule rows around on a swamp with his bandmates saxophonist Ignacio Salvadores and drummer George Bass, it’s a wonderful fall down the rabbit hole into his wild world.
‘:)’ by The Japanese House
Returning today with a brand new single, The Japanese House brings her delicate indie sound into 2024 with ‘:)’. Country-inspired, Amber Bain AKA The Japanese House described that the track is an “ode to happiness”, singing ”“Something’s happening/I feel happier/I could be losing my mind”. Co-produced by label-mate The 1975 (and Charli xcx’s fiancé) George Daniel, it’s a playful summer-ready track for those happy-and-sad-at-the-same-time sunny days.
‘Life’ by Jamie xx & Robyn
Now taking us right onto the dancefloor, Jamie xx’s latest collab with the one and only Robyn is sure to be a club-classic in no time. The newest track from In Waves, his long-anticipated new album, is getting us even more excited for what’s to come. Speaking on the track, Jamie explained “I made this track pretty fast (for me) and I loved it from day one. When I first heard Robyn’s vocal it was at 6 a.m. after finishing playing at Pacha in Ibiza, it was the perfect moment.”
‘Anything’ by Griff
The latest offering from her upcoming debut album, vertigo, Griff’s has teased her new song ‘Anything’ on socials and finally dropped it ahead of her big weekend supporting Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour in Wembley Stadium. The singer-songwriter treats us with yet another sad-pop-banger, explaining that “‘Anything’ is about the idea that you would go to any length to make someone care for you, but they don’t realise the power they hold…At a young age I think there’s often a bit of imbalance, and I wanted the song to capture the intensity of those young relationships.”
‘the boy is mine (Remix)’ by Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica
Another iconic remix this week, Ariana Grande has tapped the queens Brandy and Monica for a new version of her earworm single ‘the boy is mine’. Following on from her Penn Badgely-starring music video, the track has reached new heights with the addition of the 90s-queens who are sampled in Ariana’s song. Their smash hit from 1998 was reinvented by the pop princess on her album Eternal Sunshine, so this teaming up is a legendary full circle moment.
‘Wave’ by Asake & Central Cee
Teaming up for another exciting collab this week is Asake and Central Cee for their new single ‘Wave’. Two giants in their respective genres, Nigerian singer and songwriter Asake and London rapper Central Cee’s team-up is a vibrant meeting point of their worlds, with the production flitting between grime-inspired sounds and Afrobeats vibes.
‘Crash’ by Kehlani
Dropping their long-awaited fourth album, Crash, Kehlani’s titular track is a soft and seductive track, exemplifying the delicate 13-track declaration of love and lust. Teasing that the project would go in “a lotta different directions”, this single captures the heart of it all, a perfectly sexy summer sound in true Kehlani fashion.
