The Weekender countdown of the month’s hottest trending tracks to funk up your playlist.
Nelly Furtado – “Pipe Dreams”
Furtado returns from a five year hiatus with new album The Ride, a quirky folk-soul departure from her previous five studio offerings. “Pipe Dreams” is a standout and the most mainstream of its twelve cuts – evocative and dreamy with nodes of No Doubt-esque pop. The track is co-written and produced by John Congleton (formerly of The Paper Chase).
Frank Ocean – “Self Control”
Taken from Blonde, the acclaimed sophomore release from Christopher Francis “Frank” Ocean, “Self Control” is an intense, intoxicating love song featuring the stripped-back vocals of Austin Feinstein and Yung Lean. The track is easily one of the most beautiful serenades in contemporary R&B music.
Christine and the Queens – “Tilted”
The French artiste has circled the scene for years but only broke through in 2016 when she released her first English EP Saint Claude. “Tilted” is about imbalance, of feeling out of place or lost in translation. Heavy subject aside, it is a fun up-tempo number with a delightful mix of English and French lyrics.
The 1975 – “By Your Side”
Rock outfit The 1975 finally gave fans new material for 2017, away from their current chart-topping album. “By Your Side” was released as a charity fundraising single in the United Kingdom and is a smooth and silky cover of Sade’s 2000 hit. Frontman Matthew Healy updates the track with moody electronic vocals and falsetto peaks.
Lorde – “Liability”
A stunning piano ballad, “Liability” is one of two new tracks teased from Lorde’s long-awaited next record Melodrama. The minimalistic sound marks new territory for the Kiwi singer, who pulls back the curtain on fame, singing “The truth is, I am a toy that people enjoy, ‘til all of the tricks don’t work anymore, and then they are bored of me.”
Calvin Harris feat. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams and Ariana Grande – “Heatstroke”
Summer isn’t really summer without a Calvin Harris anthem, and this year “Heatstroke” is certain to blaze through pool parties and festivals across the globe. Harris teams up with “man who is always in the moment” Pharrell Williams, rounded off with Young Thug and Ariana Grande. This track is 2017’s answer to “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”
Dua Lipa – “Hotter Than Hell (Miike Snow Remix)”
The lady on everyone’s lips, Dua Lipa has been hailed as the next big thing for months now and finally drops her debut album in Japan this June. “Hotter Than Hell” provides a strong indicator of what to expect and this remix by Swedish indie pop group Miike Snow propels the 21-year old Brit beyond the spectrum of cool.
Jamiroquai – “Something About You”
It’s easy for 90s superstars to rely on “Greatest Hits” comebacks, but not for Jamiroquai. 47-year-old Jay Kay and co. are celebrating their relevance amid today’s generation with an album of new material that has hit number one in more than 30 countries. “Something About You” is a disco-funk, acid-jazz number that bridges the gap until Daft Punk’s next record.
–James Wong
