The weekend is almost here, which means that it’s our time to bless you with some new bops. From Drake to Troye Sivan, here are some songs you should know about through the lens of our Entertainment writer, Diandra Ross.
“POPSTAR” – Drake
The first of two new tracks released by frequent collaborators Drake and DJ Khaled, “POPSTAR” is surprisingly muted and low energy. Drake sounds like he’s barely emoting during the track’s hook, and the simple and stereotypical trap beat in the background makes the song pretty forgettable. Instead of sounding like one of new songs of the summer by two of today’s biggest artists, it comes across as more of a side-B from one of Drake’s earlier projects.
“GREECE” – DJ Khaled feat. Drake
“GREECE” is the second of two tracks by Drake and DJ Khaled. Drake is infamous for utilizing other artists’ styles and unfortunately, this track is no exception. While the track itself is pretty catchy, Drake shamelessly rips from R&B artist The Weekend, using an eerily similar flow and singing style. It sounds like Drake’s voice might’ve been pitched up to emulate that very style even more. Khaled’s production is definitely more interesting and unique on this track than “POPSTAR,” but it’s still nothing special compared to some of his other songs he’s released in past summers.
“Easy” – Troye Sivan
Like much of the pop that has come out of the past two years, “Easy” is heavily influenced by 70s and 80s music. It’s a laid back but still lively track and Sivan utilizes auto tune to reflect on a relationship that seems to be falling apart. The simple drum beat and soft synth makes this song an “easy” listen, while still leaving you with melancholic feeling.
“The Light” – Joey Bada$$
Clocking in at just over two minutes, “The Light” is a short and sweet track that allows Joey Bada$$ to reflect on his new found self-esteem and optimism after experiencing a period of “darkness” over the past few years. He raps about his talent as an artist and the pride he has for his music, despite knowing he might not win any awards for it. Though the song isn’t very long, “The Light” is an example of the New York artist’s talent as a lyricist that has made him a favorite among both critics and hip-hop fans.
“Smile” – Wizkid feat. H.E.R
Known for his reggae and Afrobeats inspired production, Wizkid employs the help of Grammy-winning artist H.E.R for a track perfect for easy-listening for the sizzling last months of summer. Wizkid and H.E.R sing about the love they have for their significant other, and their willingness to do whatever they have to to make them happy. Both Wizkid and H.E.R have strong but relaxed vocal performances, as their enthusiasm manages to come across when paired alongside the slow and steady reggae beat.