Songs You Should Know Vol. 7
Posted by mimada on October 22, 2015
Hellooooo once again, my fellow music lovers! After a long hiatus of post-graduation soul searching, adventure seeking and couch surfing, I am happy to say I am back in the game and ready to rock your world with all the music that has been rocking mine over the past six months. It’s been a whirlwind adventure for me recently, and the winds have blown my sails all over the map as far as music goes. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and started binging on genres such as southern blues, classic soul, grainy 70’s surf rock, Brazilian reggae and even, dare I say, country *gasp*. So, while I typically try to keep these posts limited to recent releases of artists on the rise that need to be heard, you’re going to hear maybe some songs in these genres that aren’t exactly what you normally listen to, but just give them a chance, and if you don’t like it, hit next, because hey – there’s over 20 songs that made it on this month’s list so, plenty to choose from.
Now, let’s get to the jams.
1. Porter Robinson – Divinity (ODESZA Remix)
Had to start off this playlist strong, so I’m putting my MVP at the top of the list. Porter Robinson’s music is the type that takes you to a higher state of being, and his 2014 album Worlds was a flawless collection of songs that did just that. ODESZA, on the other hand, as you know to be one of my personal all-time favorites, is music that takes you to the highest state of being, so this remix pretty much just… blew my mind. Turn your speakers all the up for this one and try not to get your clothes blown off.
2. IshDARR – Sugar
For whatever reason, I was a little hesitant to check out what Apple Radio had to offer when it first came out at the beginning of the summer, but the few times I’ve caved to tune into Beats 1, I’ve truly not been disappointed. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the number of artists I’ve discovered via the station, this track being one of my most recent discoveries. I’ve perused plenty through Milwaukee artist IshDARR’s Soundcloud since getting hooked with this jam, and I’d recommend all you hip hoppers out there who aren’t familiar to do the same.
3. RÜFÜS – You Were Right
Aussie electro artist, who goes by RÜFÜS DU SOL on the American market, has been on my radar a lot the past few months, and it all started with this track, which I think I played like 10 times in a row after first hearing it. It’s just the type of jam you don’t ever want to end.
4. Oh Wonder – Technicolour Beat (DNKR Remix)
Oh Wonder is another name frequently appearing in my daily play queue, along with fellow song writing duo Marian Hill (who doesn’t appear on this month’s installment, although they have before!). Oh Wonder has a very unique sound that makes every single they release a stand out one. This remix showcases the band’s vocals, while mixing it in with a very crisp and addicting electronic beat (a technicolor one, at that 😉 )
5. Miley Cyrus – Slab of Butter (Scorpion) (Featuring Sarah Barthel of Phantogram)
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE – I know what you’re thinking, I must have lost my mind over the past six months if I’m actually putting a Miley Cyrus track on my monthly playlist, but hear me out for a second. So, I’m by no means a Smiler, and have really avoided her music at all costs as far as I can remember, but after watching her host the VMAs and coming to terms with the amount of fucks she really just doesn’t give, I decided I might give Miley and Her Dead Pets a chance, and I was pretty stoked I did. Granted, there are some songs on there that are weird AF, but there’s kind of something for everyone on there. For me, this Mike WiLL Made It produced track was it. The vibe of the track, that trippy, psychedelic surf rock sound, was exactly what I’ve been jamming out to lately, and with an opening line like “The only laws I obey, are the ones I’m making for myself,” how can you not feel empowered listening to? Also, not to mention it features a collaboration from Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel. This track is pretty dope so just, give it a chance, hopefully you’ll find a way to be as impressed with it as I was.
6. Magic City Hippies – Fanfare
You know how I always that song on these lists for driving with the windows down at sunset… this is it. I mean, one hand on the wheel, the other out the window feeling the wind as the sun is setting and the street lights start to come on and light up a pastel sky. And without getting too sappy here, this one will fill you life like none of the others have. At least, I hope. I recommend checking out the entire Hippie Castle EP from the Florida-based Magic City Hippies, and while you’re at it, check out their bio on SC, it’s worth a read.
7. Raury – God’s Whisper
At just 19 years old, Raury has released his second full length album, All We Need, and it’s amazing. I don’t even want to think about what I was doing when I was 19, although thanks to things like TimeHop I am reminded on a daily basis -_- Anyways, what I love about Raury is he’s the kind of artist that comes with a whole way of life, and an inspiring one at that, that encourages love and happiness and creativity. My favorite track off his new album is “Friends,” but this one was absolutely worth sharing as well. Check it out.
8. GoldLink – Spectrum (Prod. Louie Lastic)
Soulection superstar GoldLink is back with more new music and a new album soon on the horizon. Love the way this jam “Spectrum” plays up his strong suits – fast rhymes, Missy Elliot samples (right?) and girls seductively speaking in foreign languages – and mixes it over a v deep house beat. I could really get down to this in the club.
9. ZHU x Bone Thugs-N-Harmony x Trombone Shorty – Hold Up Wait A Minute
The man of mystery is back, and he’s coming in hot. ZHU has been dropping tracks right and left over the past month, including impressive features such as AlunaGeorge, A-Trak, Gallant, and as we see here, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. I like this one the most of out what I’ve seen so far because it’s dark, dirty, and very groovy. You can see his style evolving throughout all these tracks, testing out new genres and beats and what not, so I’m really looking forward to the full album.
10. Gallant – Weight in Gold
In case you didn’t recognize the name when I listed him in the above track, I threw in a Gallant song so you could get familiar. This song alone had me hooked on Gallant from the first listen so I don’t think I’ll need to do much convincing for you to get hooked as well.
11. Spice – So Mi Like It
So, I spent two months in Sweden this summer and based on my observations I can confirm there is a huge fan base in Sweden for dancehall music and Jamaican culture for reasons I’m not quite sure. When you go out to the club, you won’t find many blonde bombshells in stilettos dancing to Swedish House Mafia – instead, you’ll see girls souped up in Adidas getting down to Drake, Fetty Wap, and a *ton* of dancehall. This one by Spice was one of my favorites, and I managed to identify while discreetly Shazaming on the dancefloor… oh, the things I do for music.
12. Hermitude – The Buzz (Alison Wonderland Remix feat. Hodgy Beats)
Hermitude’s original “The Buzz” was probably one of my favorite songs this summer, hot as hell with features from Big KRIT, Mataya and Young Tapz. However, I decided to go with the Alison Wonderland remix because A. I’m obsessed with her and B. It hits you even harder than the original. So, enjoy them both, but know where I stand.
13. 6Blocc – Never Scared
I stumbled upon this track by complete chance – I truthfully don’t know the first thing about 6Blocc or the history of this song but there is one thing that I do know, and that I am completely in love with this song’s bass line. Think of “Welcome to Jamrock” but more dancey, drum and bass feels. And speaking of bass, I think I blew mine out bumping this song on repeat the other day… #noragrets
14. William Bell – Any Other Way (Broke for Free Remix)
We’re gonna totally switch up the vibes here, so stick with me. I wanna touch down on some of those soul and folky vibes I was talking about earlier. Now this may be a remix but I’m loving the updated feel to this William Bell classic, it’s kind of the perfect way to get your day started while dancing around the house with your morning coffee and no pants on.
15. Nicole Willis and Soul Investigators – No One Gonna Love You
Now, this one may sound like it was recorded in the height of Motown, but it’s actually more modern than that. Nicole Willis and her Soul Investigators started releasing music in the early 2000s and have been going strong and steady since. I absolutely love the sound of this, and it’s hard not to get lost in her voice. Recommended listening environment – after the sun has gone down, with a glass of scotch, and plenty of room to dance.
16. Kali Uchis – Know What I Want
Oh, Miss Kali Uchis… Imagine Amy Winehouse, Iggy Azalea, and Kreayshawn all melted down with a little bit of sugar, spice, and splash of Columbian flaire and you get Kali Uchis. The vintage inspired bombshell broke out with her album Por Vida and it’s single “Rush,” but I decided to share this one with you bc of the reggae vibes. While listening, check out this girl’s insta and try not to fall in love with her style.
17. Wolf Alice – Moaning Lisa Smile
And now, for a little bit of punk rock! Introducing Wolf Alice, straight outta London. They’ve got that Nirvana grunge punk sound with a killer female lead, giving it a little bit of a softer edge to make it likable by anyone. I would love to hear this song live at the main stage of a music festival sometime very soon.
18. BNJMN – What I Like (Ft. Krs. & Dutchboy)
BNJMN is another player from the Soulection team who knows how to work magic with that 808. This collab with Krs and Dutchboy has a unique sound while simultaneously heavily mirroring something alongs the lines of G-Eazy… but I ain’t even mad, it’s dope. It’s what I like *wink*
19. Fellini Félin – On The Way Home
French artists rarely disappoint, and Fellini Félin is an example of that. The Bordeaux native’s entire repertoire has a very addicting sound that just kind of sweeps you off your feet. This one is one of my favorites so far, and although the artist has been totally silent on all fronts since June, we can only hope he’s tucked away somewhere safe conjuring up something great for the future.
20. Maribou State – Steal (ft. Holly Walker)
File this one under “intimate late night jams with the lights low”… Because as soon as you hear Holly Walker’s voice, smooth as honey, you’ll know why, and I’ll leave it at that.
21. Flume – Some Minds feat. Andrew Wyatt
Alright so this one is kind of an added bonus… Flume released this about four months back (with an amazing video to go along with it) and has since released a few other remixes, but this one gets me every time. It’s a slow, long build, but it’s a beautiful journey he, and Swedish Miike Snow front man Andrew Wyatt take you on. If I can say one thing, this is probably one of the best songs to listen to in transit, ever. Walking through a city, speeding underground on a subway, or flying through traffic on a motorcycle, you name it, this song will change the way you experience motion.
And, I’ll leave you with that. Until next time, folks!
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