A New Side Of Taylor Swift, A Crackling Rico Nasty, And More Songs We Love

• 
  
  Taylor Swift: “Gold Rush”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=Pz-f9mM3Ms8
  
  
  
  Right now that she’s noticed her Lover, Taylor Swift has been especially tight-lipped penning tracks about her personalized life. They’re still there, although you just have to look a little bit closer, and her Evermore update usually be Jack Antonoff co-write “Gold Rush.” Whenever she evokes the same color used to tie herself to Joe Alwyn on Folklore’s “Invisible String,” Tay looks at gold through a different lens this time: jealousy. “I don’t like anticipating my face in a red flush / I don’t like that anyone would perish to feel your touch,” she blurts, rushing through a upbeat chorus. Even in the hyper specificity of her “Eagles T-shirt hanging from the door” and her lover’s “contrarian” dinner party antics, she still finds a way to create overcoming the green-eyed monster feel relatable. And any time while she name-drops “folklore?” Chef’s kiss. —Carson Mlnarik
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Proper.: “Don’t”
  
  
  
  
  
  This one begins with a sharp exhale from Proper. vocalist Erik Garlington, who seconds later mentions Sandra Bland and poses a harrowing question: “If I was next, how long would you protest for me?” The music belies its inherent anger, nestled in warbling guitars and drowsy melodies that eventually yield to a rousing climax. Although the sentiment is clear, as is Garlington’s exhaustion. “America is a fucked up place to live for those of us that aren't straight, white men,” the singer wrote to accompany the song. “‘Don't’ is about how Black people in this nation lack that luxury, and realizing that we may never have it.” —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Hudi: “Woodchuck!”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=OJznCefHEWY
  
  
  
  Hudi’s solid although brief debut EP Tsar — seven songs at a total 14 minutes — successfully traverses a wide soundscape of emotional trap-influenced hip-hop through both song and rap. However the record’s most brutal moment is also its most thrilling: The bass on “Woodchuck!” Hits and rattles while Hudi sets bars that snarl and drawl at all of the correct moments. It’s pure ear candy; it may be his least sentimental moment on the EP, although it’s by far the strongest showcase of his sticky flow and massive potential. —Terron Moore
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Wolf: “High Waist Jeans”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=8tQOBdHDYd4
  
  
  
  Like you, Wolf is also sick of 2020’s ceaseless bullshit. The emerging alt-pop act (née Julia Wolf) soundtracks that aggravation with enviable ease in “High Waist Jeans,” her hip-hop-inspired new single. Each dig at her mediocre ex is smarter and more scathing than the last, making for vibey diss track that’s as sophisticated as it is slick (“I'm am no Orpheus, I'm not looking back twice / I be heating up whenever you watchin from the side”). I visualize you, girl! —Sam Manzella
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Troye Sivan, Kacey Musgraves (ft. Mark Ronson): “Easy”
  
  
  https://youtu.Be/qn4XQ9WweRY
  
  
  
  2020 has been anything nevertheless “Easy,” however that doesn’t matter to Troye Sivan and Kacey Musgraves who have teamed up for a remix of the standout track from Troye’s 2020 EP, In a Dream. Hearing Kacey on a new song is routinely cause for a celebration, nevertheless alternatively opposed to contributing her signature nation flair, Kacey and Troye — with help of producer Mark Ronson — dial up the dreamy sad synth-pop vibes of the original. Their vocals meld properly, with Kacey sounding right at residence, especially once she sings the word “darling” like a warm lullaby, briefly reminding you that it’ll all be alright. —Chris Rudolph
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Ovy on the Drums ft. Karol G & Danny Ocean: “Miedito o Que?”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=ljjl1l_s_0g
  
  
  
  O-O-Ovy on the Drums! The Latin Grammy-nominated reggaeton producer is back with a new single to round out another wildly successful year for the genre. “Miedito o Que?” Can only be described as sonic sunshine, so tangible you could almost feel the warmth on your skin. On this brilliant summertime hit, Ovy is accompanied by longtime collaborator Karol G, whose brings her signature fashion and flair, and also Venezuelan artist Danny Ocean. “Miedito o Que?” Transports you to an alternate reality of the summer that couldn’t be, reminding listeners of the good times although to be had in swimming pools and under palm trees. There’s something interesting about listening to a summer bop in the dead of winter, nevertheless if anyone can convince you to play along, it’s Ovy, Karol, and Danny. —Sarina Bhutani
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Rico Nasty: “Candy”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=UKG9y9-vx7I
  
  
  
  In a time any time everything feels exhausting and discouraging, let yourself the sheer sonic joy of hearing Rico Nasty’s voice crackle and stretch as it reaches its limits. “Can you feel me?” The visionary repeatedly asks to punctuate the initial track of her long-awaited debut, Nightmare Vacation. As her vocal cords fry under the strain, the message gets clearer and clear: Are you fucking listening? —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Capital Soirée: “Pop Band”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=RROseUsO2Ts
  
  
  
  It’s hard not to immediately love a song so purely and wholly drenched in guitars and new wave synth, especially one as cooly earnest as this track from new musical group Capital Soirée. The song is filled with tongue-in-cheek references to the poor misfortune of being in a pop musical group, paired with a video wherein the lanky-limbed, long-haired trio owns their own lanky-limbed, long-haired coolness. —Terron Moore
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Christian Blue: “Leave It Unlocked”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=BmSXT--Mk30
  
  
  
  L.A. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Christian Blue gives psychedelics a run for their cash in his funky debut single, “Leave It Unlocked.” Bouncing between spitting bars and sticky melodies, and taking his voice high and low, not a second is wasted in the two-minute track. Matched in trippiness by its visual alone, the lyric “always break the box I’m locked in” feels oddly prescient considering this up-and-comer clearly refuses to box himself in. —Carson Mlnarik
  
  
  
  
  



• 
  
  Moontype: “Ferry”
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=MIGr1xzHQtU
  
  
  
  Chicago’s Moontype, college pals who began a fuzzy three-piece with each other, take their time unspooling the action on “Ferry,” a sad song about the slow loss of a friendship. I like the crunch of the guitar, as ever, nevertheless I like the space even more, the lingering strums and snare hits that let vocalist Margaret McCarthy’s moony (pun intended) intonations to take hold. —Patrick Hosken