Hellllo and welcome to your weekly playlist, featuring my ten favourite new songs of the week. You’ll notice a few things about this week’s list: For starters, it’s a week predominantly filled with mashups, remixes and covers. There’s also three tracks not on the actual Soundcloud playlist, sorry – but they’re so good that they’re worth it. We’ve mostly got female-led tracks (as is often the case,) with a bluesy rock single and a couple glitchy techy bits and pieces in there for good measure.

Enjoy!

  • Snoh Aalegra, Emotional
    I was introduced to Snoh Aalegra last year, with her sublime R&B track Bad Things ft. Common. She’s back now with Emotional, a soulful number produced by none other than Wu-Tang Clan’s own Combining scratchy violin loops, bright trumpets and a chirpy beat, this is all kinds of awesome.
  • Tei Shi, Bassically (HONNE Remix)
    I was a little scared before listening to this remix because of how much I fucking adore the original track, but I’m happy to say that this mellowed, smooth and sultry remix totally does it justice. The atmosphere is really chilled, without sacrificing any of the passion or
  • Marian Hill, Wasted
    Things I like: big beats, unique female vocals, wicked indie-pop melodies. Once again Marian Hill has hit the right spot, with her new single It’s the kind of track that starts off simply, and grows into something playfully eerie and so captivating.
  • Justin Timberlake, Cry Me A River (CHVRCHES Cover)
    I’ve started really liking Chvrches lately, and I’ve obviously always been a JT fan. As you might expect, this is a powerful synth-led pop cover, with driving bass, gorgeous vocals and everything that you love about both artists. Listen to it right here.
  • Beckyonce (BJ Warshaw) Single Loser (Put a Beck On It) (Beyonce & Beck mashup)
    In the wake of the Grammys media frenzy, New Jersey producer BJ Warshaw has cashed in by creating a seriously cool mashup of Beyonce and Beck’s biggest tunes. While the combination seems unlikely, they actually work together ridiculously well!
  • Gengahr, She’s a Witch
    UK band Gengahr have just dropped new single She’s A Witch, a soft and bright indie-folk tune. With a breathy melody and a gentle rhythm, it’s catchy, fun and radio-ready. Keep an eye out for more from these guys throughout the year.
  • Generaldisarray, Demons
    Sydney’s Generaldisarray are back with a bang after a three year hiatus. Led by a raunchy melody, the stompy beat and sleazy guitars give off a punky, late night dive bar vibe. The six-and-a-half minute length is admittedly a challenge, but totally worth it.
  • Ludacris, Party Girls (Brodinski Remix)
    This week, three remixes of Ludacris’ Party Girls dropped: Lunice, Sinjin Hawke, and this one by Brodinski. The darkest and French-tech-iest of the three, it’s sexy and deep, and a little… ludicrous: an X-rated Barbie Girls sample? Haha. Give all three a listen, they’re pretty sweet.
  • The Police, Roxanne (Royal Blood Cover)
    I’m including this one because a) I LOVE this song, b) I LOVE Royal Blood, and c) I was supremely disappointed by their extremely boring Triple J Like A Version, and was even more upset after hearing how actually amazing they are at covers. Not on the playlist, check this shit out here.
  • Squarepusher, Rayc Fire 2
    Hooray, new Squarepusher! The UK artist has just announced a new album, and the first single is Rayc Fire 2, available here as a free download (no Soundcloud soz.) The album was inspired by both Miles Davis-style jazz and dance music, and the single is glitchy, intricate and technologically dazzling.

Here’s the playlist, minus Chvrches, Royal Blood and Squarepusher

Here we go again! A weekly playlist of the best new songs I’ve heard all week. We start off today with a couple of headier rock tracks before toning it down into some serious smooth electro-soul. We’ll hang there for a while before ending on a serious bang.

  • Art of Sleeping, Crazy
    One of the best bluesy rock tracks I’ve heard in ages, this Brisbane five-piece know exactly how to get you going. Gorgeous vocals, incredible riffs, billowing builds. You don’t get better than this.
  • Bernaccia, Darkness Walks
    Opening with feedback and growly guitars, this is one for the doom-y grunge lovers out there. Catchy riffs and a great voice. What it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in the satisfying crunch of distortion.
  • North Arm, Sometimes New
    Let’s tone it down a tad. Sydney’s North Arm have a new single out, and it’s a jingly, fuzzed out semi-psychedelic beauty. The melody is simple yet enchanting, with the guitar and vocals dancing around each other throughout.
  • Samm Henshaw, Only Wanna Be With You
    Samm Henshaw has a really wonderful voice and this song, simple as it may be, is one of those songs that just make me really happy. Catchy, clap-along and fantastically soulful. Not electro-soul, not future-soul, just good ol’ fashioned soul.
  • Snoh Aalegra, Bad Things (ft. Common)
    Another favourite discovery of mine. Snoh’s beautiful voice really stands out among other upcoming soul/R&B singers – it’s rich but crisp, demanding yet dulcet. Plus a bonus riff from Common. So. Good.
  • Alta, Hold Your Fire
    Subtle and seductive, this track by the Melbourne duo has me drawing instant Little Dragon comparisons. A gorgeous flow and a huge range of musical layers, there’s so much going on behind the melody.
  • Raye, Bet U Wish
    17-year-old Raye’s new single has an intriguing electronic basis, topped off with a great pop/R&B melody. It really kicks off in the chorus – big beats, big vocals, interesting samples and catchy as hell.
  • Adria, Pull Me Under
    Ohhh, that syncopation. This is one sexy track. Follows on from the Raye track, only brimming with sensuality. I love how intricate the percussion rhythms here, and the contrast between the driving bass and those occasional piano notes.
  • Natalie McCool, Wind Blows Harder (THUMPERS rework)
    We go further once again – heavy beats, choir-sounding vocals, flittering beats lead the way to a passionate melody. Some brilliant synth action at play here. It’s basically a combination of psychedelic haze with biiig trappy beats.
  • Slumberjack, Horus
    You’ve probably heard Horus by now, considering it’s already topped Hype Machine. The Perth duo go all out with the new single. That rhythm, man. Reminds me of Tipper. I just want to play this one over and over and over again!

That’s it for this week! Here’s ya playlist:

A few amazing remixes have come out this week. Here’s my favourites.

1. Future Islands, I’ve Been Waiting On You (Badbadnotgood Remix)
The Canadian hip-hop-jazz trio have remixed the instant classic into a soulful, down-tempo jazz crooner. It’s absolutely stunning. They’re the only group who could make such a great song even better! Listen/watch here, and get excited to see these guys live at Falls Festival:

2. Gorillaz, Feel Good Inc. (James Blake Remix)

Yep, it’s a James Blake remix – but not what you might think. A wompy, beat-mashing remix that flips the original on its head, spins it around until it falls over  – in slow motion. This is the latest remix by Blake, under his moniker Harmonimix. He’s also remixed Kendrick, OutKast and Destiny’s Child under the name.

3. Daughter, Winter (Warpaint Remix)

Washed over, subtle, beat-based ambience. This is a gorgeous remix from the LA quartet, who have teamed up with the UK modern folk heroes, turning the beautiful original into something intriguing, heartily electronic, and strangely warm.

4. Snoh Aalegra, Bad Things ft. Killer Mike (Killer Mike Remix)

Snoh is a relatively new artist, Swedish-born, LA-based. The original of this track is soulful and so gorgeous, and features a guest verse from Common. This time around, Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike has given it a spin, and the results are magnificent. Enjoy!