Nothing, not even the apocalypse, will spoil our Fridays. Get ready to dance alone in your kitchen to these new beats including the Bronx/Houston collab we all prayed for. Our Entertainment writer, Diandra Ross, writes about the top five new songs you should definitely know about.
“WAP” – Cardi B Feat. Megan Thee Stallion
“WAP” is a welcome collaboration between two of today’s biggest female rappers. In a very on-brand move for both artists, Megan and Cardi describe their ideal sexual encounters with dirty and graphic lyrics. Despite the raunchy nature of the song, both Megan and Cardi’s verses are creative and entertaining, highlighting their clever wordplay and frequent use of double entendres. Megan Thee Stallion stands out with her rapid flow which contrasts with Cardi B’s more melodic style. This track and the music video that accompanies it is exactly what you’d expect from these two artists: confidence, sex appeal, and a beat that slaps.
“Smile” – Juice Wrld Feat. The Weeknd
“Smile” is the latest posthumous release from Juice Wrld. It features his drony, moody voice that made him such an endearing vocalist. The lyrics are positive and supportive, as the Chicago artist tells a significant other that he’ll do anything to make them happy, even if he can’t be with them. He expresses his desire to change for the better for the sake of the relationship, but evokes sadness knowing that it might not be enough. The Weeknd seems like a perfect fit for this song, adding to the song’s melancholic feel while still showing that he cares for this person despite his own shortcomings. This song shows the potential Juice Wrld had and is an unfortunate reminder that he was taken from this world too soon.
“Blind” – DaBaby Feat. Young Thug
A sonic pivot for DaBaby, “Blind” substitutes his standard hip-hop beats for a melodic guitar feature. DaBaby sings more than usual on this track, creating an R&B feel while keeping the energy up, rapping double time and experimenting with a higher vocal register. Young Thug’s feature definitely helps with the mood of the song, as “Blind” is a different, but not unwelcome change of pace for the musician.
“Twist & Turn” – Popcaan Feat. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR
An OVO collaboration, “Twist &Turn” sounds like it was plucked out of the cutting room floor of Drake’s “Views.” More reggae-inspired than reggae, the track features very simple instrumentals, making for a relaxed listening experience even though it makes the song pretty static. It’s subtly sexual, featuring soft vocals from all three artists, which make the track a relaxing summer listen. Still, fans looking for anything new are sure to be disappointed, as “Twist & Turn” is more of the same from OVO.
Woodland – Aminé
A new track off Amine’s new album Lombo, “Woodland” emits a calm intensity from the Portland rapper. Aminé grabs your attention and refuses to let go, as he raps taking very few breaths between verses. His flow is almost relentless, but isn’t overbearing as he still keeps the sing-songy vibe that made him so popular. Aminé shows off his vocal control and ability to stay on beat, as he stays perfectly attuned to the instrumentals backing him. As good as “Woodland” is, it’s not wildly original- in fact, it’s eerily reminiscent of other top hip-hop song, particularly DaBaby’s “Bop”.