Five Songs You Should Hear This Week: 5/24/17
5. "Ti Amo" - Phoenix
After a disappointing first single with J-Boy, Phoenix impresses with their second single for the upcoming album. They channel 2009 with a dancy beat complimented by characteristic and self aware vocals with a surprisingly non annoying vocal effect layered chorus. If you weren't excited for the new Phoenix album before, it's time to be.
4. "Hook, Line & Sinker" - Royal Blood
If there is one thing you can give Royal Blood's eponymous 2014 debut album, it's that the singles were all fantastic, they look to keep this trend up. Hook Line & Sinker doesn't change up the bands formula or bring anything drastically new, but it doesn't have to. The formula has at least an album more before the staleness sets in and they know it. The song jams like it's 2017 (when rock music is going out of style).
3. "Adeline" - Alt-J
Alt-J now have a trifecta of fantastic singles previewing a 3rd studio album that will be seemingly hard to pin. All of these songs sound different and it's hard to pick out a favorite but Adeline probably will be remembered as the most subtle. Alt-J steps down from some of their typical antics and riffs to craft a beautiful and touching soft and elegant piece of music, further expanding the range that they've proven time and time again has no limits.
This one is a slow grower, maybe it takes some time to get started but boy when it does. Waters has suprised everyone with 3 fantastic singles that dare I say it, bring us all back to hearing some of Pink Floyds work. Maybe they're more Animals and less Wish You Were Here, but who expected to see Roger Waters in headlines for the quality of his solo music in 2017? Everything about the song works, even the seagull samples that make their way into the tracks outro prove to be welcome. Waters gives a more nuanced performance than the last single but it feels just as natural.
1. "Not The Same" - Kyle
Now THIS is suprising. Kyle burst onto the scene last year with a fantastic throwaway track from his 2015 debut. iSpy proved to be a massive success, Kyle and Lil Yachty sell the summer fun anthem better than anyone and the silly lyrics are infectious no matter how serious you like your rap music. Myself and many others admittedly wrote Kyle off as a one talent kind of rapper and I assumed I wouldn't hear his name again, I was very wrong. Not The Same is remarkably far from iSpy and Kyle delivers a very distinct and gripping performance. A hum along chorus grabs you immediately followed by a drop and beat that feelsrefreshing despite the trap music craze. But it's Kyle's verses that suprise thoroughly and dominate the track. Gone is the bubblyness he was known for, as he rapid fires lines about his success and individuality. A special shout out is deserved for the "take a throwaway track, turn it into a plaque" line. Kyle shows off his broader skillset and shows his critics he could be here to stay.
