7 Songs You Need to Hear This Week

Don't want to see ads? Upgrade Now

By jessicat31 15 Apr 2016, 9:28am

Tegan and Sara - U-Turn

Their last record 2013's Heartthrob transformed the Quin sisters from cult indie band to full-fledged pop stars. "U Turn" is an upbeat plea for forgiveness that's just as catchy as anything they've ever released, and while their latest single "Boyfriend" might be getting all the attention for its gender-bending lyrics, this track is just as deserving too.

The Julie Ruin - I Decide

Kathleen Hanna's latest band The Julie Ruin rocks as hard as anything in her riot grrrl past. Their latest single "I Decide" is an ode to autonomy and self-determination. The swirling synth and fuzzed out guitar sound just as empowering and assertive as the lyrics.

Adult Jazz - Eggshell

The Scottish electronic group return with "Eggshell" a track that's as ambitious and experimental as anything they've ever released. Plus the video is as visually trippy as the song sounds, which makes for one eerie listen.

Kristin Kontrol - Show Me

Kristin Kontrol is a new project from Kristen Welchez aka Dee Dee Penny of Dum Dum Girls. With its sleek synths and saxophone melodies, "Show Me" a bit of a departure from her standard Dum Dum fare. However it's no less indebted to music of the eighties. And in this case, it's a great thing.

Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla - One Dance

With songs like Justin Bieber's "Sorry" and Rihanna's "Work" topping the charts, dancehall's influence on North American pop music is at its highest level in decades. Enter Drake's "One Dance," a song the superstar rapper dropped this week that bears similar influence. Here, Drake re-teams with Nigerian singer Wizkid, who he linked up with for last year's excellent "Ojuelegba" remix, over a beat sampling a Crazy Cousinz remix of Kyla's "Do You Mind." The result is an afrobeat/dancehall hybrid that's a good bet to rule the early summer. Or perhaps earlier than that, even. Just days after release, the song has been named Drake's first ever U.K. #1.

Listen on Apple Music.

Maxwell - Lake By the Ocean

It seems as though fans will soon hear Maxwell's long awaited album blackSUMMERS'night, originally set for a 2012 release but postponed indefinitely following a cancelled tour due to vocal issues. Last week the elusive R&B singer dropped the record's lead single "Lake By the Ocean," showing little signs of rust despite his extended break.

Phife Dawg - Nutshell

Last month saw the passing of rap icon Malik Taylor, better known as Phife Dawg, member of legendary rap group A Tribe Called Quest. The MC passed away due to complications of diabetes at the age of 45. Less than a month after his passing, Phife's family released "Nutshell," a song produced by the late J-Dilla said to be the lead single off his planned Give Thanks EP. As was so consistent throughout his life, Phife demonstrates his propensity for wordplay and lyricism, forever to be remembered as "the five foot assassin with the roughneck business."