Here’s our countdown of the month’s hottest trending tracks to funk up your playlist.
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”
Taylor’s comeback single is a killer anthem taken from forthcoming album Reputation. Swift, 27, has come a long way from her country roots and this electro-pop number has already broken a throng of streaming records since its release. The video sees her play several different versions of her “old self” which she proudly proclaims is dead.
Two Door Cinema Club – “Invincible”
This is our track of the month, from Irish indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club. “Invincible” is a nostalgic, guitar-dominated ballad from their current album Gameshow – it has an eighties Prince vibe and for anyone that’s ever been a lousy boyfriend, the lyrics are spot on.
Erykah Badu – “On & On”
The US singer hasn’t released new material in a while, so we throw back to this 1996 classic in celebration of her arrival in Tokyo next month for Soul Camp, as well as a string of dates at Billboard Tokyo. “On & On” won Badu a Grammy in 1998 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Paloma Faith – “Crybaby”
The eccentric British pop artist returns after three years away with a new album The Architect, in November, and this is the first track released. “Crybaby” is mid-tempo yet uplifting, with a slight disco feel. It is produced by Starsmith, the man behind some of Ellie Goulding and Kylie Minogue’s hits.
George Michael featuring Nile Rodgers – “Fantasy”
This is the first posthumous release from the legendary George Michael, who died last Christmas aged 53. “Fantasy” is a 1990 B-Side that has been reworked and updated by Nile Rodgers, of one of the most successful bands of disco, Chic. It’s the “Faith” of 2017.
Jessie J – “Real Deal”
The British pop singer/rapper releases a warm up track between albums, with “Real Deal” taken from an ad campaign for a popular chocolate brand. The song is a reggae inspired late summer treat with rhythmic beats and J’s sassy vocals gliding over. It’s been three years since Jessie J released a studio album, and while this is not an album track, it tides us over nicely until she unleashes some long awaited material.
Daoko x Kenshi Yonezu – “Fireworks”
Daoko is a rapper and singer from here in Tokyo and her latest collaboration with singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu has already hit number one in the Japanese charts. This is a track we’ve stumbled upon in her most recent Spotify bundle; “打上花火” (“Fireworks”) is a beautiful ballad that is the theme song for the movie, Fireworks: Shall We Watch Them from Below or from the Side?
Keyshia Cole – “Incapable”
California’s R&B queen Keyshia Cole is set to release her seventh studio album this winter, and “Incapable” is taken from this new record. The ballad is distinctively Keyshia, and on it she sings about the heartbreak of having an incapable partner.
Buy a ticket to your favorite music concert in Japan!
Get a ticket to your favorite K-Pop concert in Japan!
