JUKEBOX VOL. 17
[+] A$AP MOB – “RAF FT A$AP ROCKY, PLAYBOI CARTI, QUAVO, LIL UZI VERT, FRANK OCEAN”
A long awaited track since A$AP Rocky dropped initial clues via social media early on in the year, A$AP Mob finally released RAF through Frank Ocean’s blonded radio show. And it does not disappoint. Lining up an all star feature list of some of the most hyped trap artists in the game right now ensures that this is one of the most fire tracks to be dropped right in time for summer. In their signature music style, they each spit a verse over a bumping trap beat, yes even Frank Ocean whose bars surprisingly match his counterparts seamlessly.
If you aren’t already, i’d be sure to start following blonded radio as songs are being released left and right and they’re all guaranteed to have your playlists hotter than the sun this summer. And if anyones wondering, ill save you the google search and let you know that RAF is an ode to Belgian designer Raf Simmons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyWmSnuS850
[+] JOYWAVE – “CONTENT”
Since their first LP Koda Vista, I’ve always loved Joywave. They’re weird, electric, and fun. ‘Content,’ Joywave’s newest single, is the same sound I’ve known for so long. It’s a pretty soft opening, but then builds and explodes about halfway through. ‘Content’ gives me very high hopes for their next album, however it’s hard for Joywave to ever disappoint. If you’re a fan of Alt-J and MGMT you’ll quickly grow to love ‘Content’ and Joywave’s entire discography.
[+] ODESZA – “LINE OF SIGHT FT WYNNE & MANSIONAIR”
The Seattle-based duo ODESZA have finally returned with their first own original new music in over two and a half years. The new single ‘Line of Sight’ featuring Mansionair and vocalist WYNNE, was released on April 26th and fans cannot contain their excitement. Their new song is an upbeat single with an unique synth melody that gives a pop twist to the Odesza sound we all love. ‘Line of Sight’ exemplifies everything fans have always admired about ODESZA; lively synths complimented by trap elements that are topped off with WYNNE’s alluring vocals for an immediate hook and amplified by Mansionair’s additional vocals.
The duo’s last album In Return was released back in 2014. A deluxe edition of that album was released the following year which consisted of the same songs but with new live recordings and a new single “Light” featuring Little Dragon.
[+] HARRY STYLES – “CAROLINA”
I have to admit, I missed the One Direction bus but I have definitely hopped onto the Harry Styles train. Debuting solo work after being in one of the biggest boy bands in recent times, is a pretty terrifying leap that is undoubtedly awaiting much critique. Styles, however, really gave it his all on this album and it shows. Every song shows off his versatility, vocal range and inner monologues in such a British rockstar inavsion-esque manner. This song in particular has an incredibly upbeat melody with a more sultry tone to his voice. Its both rock-n-roll and subtle, and somehow that contrast just makes it work.
Im also sure the ambiguity of the girl this song is written about has many Styles-obsessed listeners dancing around while imagining it’s them. I mean, imagine going on a blind date with the guy and getting a song written about you on one of the most talked about albums of the year? Meanwhile, I can’t even get a text back. So until then, Ill just keep dancing along to this song.
[+] THE HEYDAZE – “NEW RELIGION”
NYC’s The Heydaze formed in 2014, releasing an EP soon after in 2015. Mid-April, they released a new single ‘New Religion’ which has me hooked. It’s very catchy, alt pop-rock inspired summer song that’ll have you singing along at the top of your lungs. It’s a little bit Temper Trap mixed with The Hunna and a dash of DNCE. Looking forward to more tracks this year.
[+] FALL OUT BOY – “YOUNG AND MENACE”
“Oops, I did it again,” sings Patrick Stump in Fall Out Boy‘s newest single, ‘Young and Menace.’ And did it again they have. ‘Young and Menace’ is another tune in the series of awesome and angsty FoB songs, but a little different than past releases for its dubstep-like drops. That new feature is just what makes the song interesting. FoB has been fading from popularity for a while now, as their last album, 2015’s American Beauty/American Psycho, received lukewarm reviews. Critics were quick to denounce ‘Young and Menace’ too, but I think it’s worth a listen.
While the band definitely isn’t known for dubstep, the contrast between the beat drops and the verses is what really appeals to me–instead of thinking of this new sound as bandwagoning, I think FoB is just experimenting with their style, pushing the boundaries and themselves to make unique tunes. And isn’t that what punk rock is all about?
