- Words Kitty Robson
From Charli and Billie, to Jordan Adetunji and Kehlani, to JPEGMAFIA & Vince Staples, it's the week of iconic collabs you need on your weekend playlist.
‘Guess featuring Billie Eilish’ by Charli xcx & Billie Eilish
‘NISSAN ALTIMA’ by Doechii
Dropping the latest highly anticipated single from her Swamp Sessions series, Doechii is bringing her signature sonic style into new track ‘NISSAN ALTIMA’. With a video featuring cameos TDE’s Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Isaiah Rashad, the track sees Doechii proclaiming herself the "hip-hop Madonna" and "trap Grace Jones” and with good reason. A must-listen.
‘HIGHJACK’ by A$AP Rocky & Jessica Pratt
Back and ready for business, A$AP Rocky treated us today with new single ‘HIGHJACK’ a dynamic new single crossing genre and pushing boundaries in true Rocky fashion, teasing what’s to come with his upcoming fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb. Featuring folk artist Jessica Pratt as well as background vocals from jazz singer Jon Batiste, the rapper explained “I just love alternative, I love just different sounds and whatnot. [Jessica] gave me this kind of Portishead meets Stevie Nicks vibe a little bit…I figured it was necessary to get her, Jon Batiste on this one and kind of make it feel soulful to bring it on home in the outro.”
‘KEHLANI (REMIX)’ by Jordan Adetunji & Kehlani
Teaming up for Jordan Adetunji’s track of their namesake, Kehlani takes the hit song to new heights. Bringing NYC’s sexy drill style into the UK artist’s R&B, ‘KEHLANI’ and it’s accompanying cinematic music video, “baby you’re bad like me” they sing over Jordan’s sharp beats. Speaking on the remix, he explains “[Kehlani] just translating what I said on my song to [their] verse was just amazing, it was seamless.”
‘Check’ by FLO
FLO have finally found their soulmates on ‘Check’. The romantically charged bop lists out their desirables and concludes that the men in question more than fit the bill. “There ain’t no way I’m gonna let him get away” they sing on the refrain adamantly, while the purring bass and twinkling R&B melody glisten beneath them.
‘All You Children’ by Jamie xx & The Avalanches
It really is the week of collaboration, with Jamie xx teaming up with trailblazing electronic music group The Avalanches on ‘All You Children’, the latest single from his upcoming album In Waves. A hypnotic blend of swirling chants and Moroder-esque basslines, Jamie’s signature production meets the band’s innovative sampling resulting in an utterly euphoric club anthem.
‘New Black History’ by JPEGMAFIA & Vince Staples
JPEGMAFIA is his most beautifully frantic on new album, I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU. Vince Staples is one of the record’s two features, alongside Denzel Curry, and for ‘New Black History’, Peggy warps a sample of the Long Beach native’s ‘Senorita’ into a post-apocalyptic electro-punk rap hit.
‘Blackout Drunk’ by Suki Waterhouse
Unveiling her new single ‘Blackout Drunk’, Suki Waterhouse has dropped a sure-to-be standout from her upcoming double album Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. From the swinging handclaps, to the woozy riffs, to the doo-wop harmonies, the Fred Ball and Hazey Eyes-produced single is a playful promise of what’s to come.
‘My Best’ by Saweetie
Saweetie is separating herself from the ops on ‘My Best’. A rapper with the Midas touch, her icy rhymes and breezy flow patterns give off an empowering energy, reminding listeners why she’s still at the top of her game and she won’t be changing herself for anyone anytime soon. I don't like small talk, I like big bags / I keep my nails long and they be big mad she swaggers in the first verse.
‘Arm’s Length’ by Kacey Musgraves
Dropping seven new songs from her March album Deeper Well, ‘Arm’s Length’ is a delicate tale of loss, blending her lilting ethereal vocals with soft country twangs. The new edition, Deeper Well: Deeper into the Well, explores her understanding over the universe, love, heartbreak, and everything in between, with Kacey also teaming up on two tracks with Leon Bridges and Tiny Habits. An ideal thoughtful summer album for those slow sunny days.