Tate McRae and Khalid - working
Young pop superstars Tate McRae and Khalid have teamed up for their newest release 'working', an easy-to-listen-to track about a relationship just not 'working' out, no matter hard you try to make it. The light instrumentals and catchy chorus act as perfect features for a summertime bop, and with McRae and Khalid's brilliant voices there too, it's a difficult one not to keep listening to.
Cassyette - Prison Purse
'Prison Purse' is the latest release from up-and-coming London rocker Cassyette. 'Prison Purse' is somewhat heavier than her previous releases, but it still allows Cassyette's vocals to act as the stand out of the track. The lyrics discuss the concept of a sexual assault perpetrator getting the karma they deserve, so not only is the song catchy but it has an incredibly meaningful message to it too.
Laura Mvula ft Simon Neil - What Matters
This week, Laura Mvula released new track What Matters, which features the vocals of Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil. The smoothy and synthy ballad has a very 1980s feel to it, with its sparkling instrumentals and moreish drum beat, however, the way it experiments with these sounds feels very 2021. Mvula's vocals pair perfectly with Simon Niel's, which is not an easy feat, as his voice might be one of the most recognisable in the industry right now. Once you listen to it, we're sure you'll fall in love with it just like we have.
Majid Jordan - Been Through That
Majid Jordan are back with 'Been Through That' their next single from their upcoming album. The song features the characteristically silky smooth vocals and thumping bass beats that we've come to love in Majid Jordan's music over the years. 'Been Through That' is incredibly addictive and will have you nodding your head along every time you replay it (which you will because its just that good).
Nana M.Rose - Sweet Honey
'Sweet Honey' by Nana M.Rose represents the singer-songwriter's new EP Morning Drops and Lemon Drops. The EP sits somewhere between indie, folk and pop, with some emotional ballads combined with upbeat tracks, one of which being the aforementioned 'Sweet Honey'. The lyricism throughout every song is poetic and explores the highs and lows of life. This EP really is worth a listen.
Adam Kneale, J.Rob The Chief, The Crushboys - 5:21
If soul and energy are what you're looking for, then '5:21' by Adam Kneale, J.Ron The Chief and The Crushboys might be a new discovery for you. '5:21' is an un-genred hyperactive mash-up of all sorts of sounds and voices that'll keep you intrigued from the first second to the last one.
When describing the creation of the song, Kneale states: "In Tyler's highly acclaimed album 'Igor', it isn't until the end of the second track that you first hear his voice properly. In what many consider one of the best HipHop albums of all time, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', some of the best verses are by feature artists and not Kanye himself. I took from both of these that all that matters is the quality of the final product that the listeners hear, and that is the mindset I have approached the record '5:21' with."
Jank Setup - Prince of Something
'Prince of Something' by Jank Setup is another release from this week which has soul flowing through its veins. The song takes influences from jazz, as well as a lot of other genres, and has a lot of fun whilst doing it.
In regard to the track, the band said, "Prince of Something was one of the first songs we wrote after the pandemic started...The song is about a fictional young artist who knows he's gonna be famous but is sick of all the BS he has to deal with on the way there. The doubts from friends and family, the financial struggles, the powerlessness. We all wrote it together, one step at a time."
H.E.R ft Yung Bleu - Paradise
With H.E.R's album drop on Friday, there was a lot of songs that could have been chosen from her to feature in this week's on repeat. Paradise sees H.E.R team up with young Alabama rapper Yung Bleu. We see H.E.R's classic silvery vocals team up with Yung Bleu's more subtle form of rapping to make a song that's easy on the ears. It's nothing new or experimental, but its a damn good song nonetheless.
Ryan Wright - Happy Birthday (Go Fuck Yourself)
Ryan Wright's 'Happy Birthday (Go Fuck Yourself) is, as you could probably guess by the title, full of attitude and biting lyrics, so if you're looking for a song to put on an angry playlist, then this would be a good fit. The track is bold, and full of the synths that we so love to see in pop music right now. The song is fun and doesn't take itself too seriously, which is what gives it its charm.
You can find all of these songs, including others that have been on repeat throughout June, on our 'on repeat - june 2021' playlist on Spotify.