The Weeknd ft Ariana Grande - Save Your Tears (Remix)
Ariana Grande and The Weeknd are back collaborating together on a remix of Save Your Tears from The Weeknd's After Hours album. In Save Your Tears we see a glimpse of Grande's lower register which we're not sued to hearing, and it pretty much has everyone begging to use more of this lower register in her own future releases.
Their vocals go well together and the new lyrics brought in by Grande perfectly fit the vibe of the song.
It seems like these two can do no wrong when they work together.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Majid Jordan, 80s synth
HILTON - Demons
'Demons' is the most recent release from HILTON which is all about having a dark side. The song is an incredibly catchy mix of tension-building rapping and simple singing, with a chorus that pretty much just consists of 'La La La'.
The minute the song ends, you'll feel the need to put it on again, and the tune to the chorus will undoubtedly be stuck in your head for a few hours afterwards.
It's an earworm of a song, and that's why it's included on this week's 'on repeat'
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Early Twenty-One Pilots
Amber Mark - Worth It
Amber Mark is back with her new song 'Worth it' a track filled with soul and making the most of Mark's impressive and husky vocals. The instrumentals consist of a piano and solid bassline which builds and has other layers put upon it as the chorus approaches.
The song is all about convincing a partner they're Worth It' meaning that the song is uplifting and has a great message to it.
If you're putting together a 'chilled summer vibes' playlist, then 'Worth It' should definitely be on it.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Jorja Smith, Sabrina Claudio, Ella Mai
Cultures - Marlone
If 80s synth-infused indie is your jam (which it definitely is mine) then Marlone by Cultures is perfect for you. The song is upbeat and addictive, with its combination of relatively simple lyrics and infectious guitar, which'll leave you wanting more once the song is finished.
In the words of frontman Josh Spivey: "We like to call Marlone our happy song about being unhappy and we hope that it makes people feel whatever way they need to when they listen to it.”
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Tame Impala, Mac DeMarco, The Aces
Little Simz - Introvert
Little Simz is back in a big way with 6 minutes long 'Introvert', which is arguably one of the best songs released about the way life is being lived right now/over the last year or so.
The track is intense and honest and expresses a lot of emotions that a lot of people will be able to relate to including commentary on modern-day racism, politics, mental health, and self-doubt. With lyrics like 'I need a licence to feel, Internal wounds and I'm not tryna be healed, I sabotage what we are trying to build 'Cause of feelings I keep inside, but it's time to reveal, the song is incredibly hard-hitting, and is an important song to be released right now.
Think the UK's equivalent to Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' and you're pretty much there with Little Simz's 'Introvert'.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Dave, Princess Nokia, Lady Leshurr
BOXTELES - D'You Mind
'D'You Mind' by Boxteles is this week's fix of rock-pop.
In the words of the band themselves “D’You Mind? is a song that tries to encapsulate the excitement, anxiety, and adventure that is the world of modern dating. It’s about trying to be yourself and be true to yourself as well as trying to impress and maybe hide aspects of your personality that you feel may deter others from wanting to stick around, all wrapped into a rocky, upbeat pop song."
The catchy chorus, thumping drums and rock-style guitar will have you hooked immediately, and with an impressive guitar solo mid-way through the song, it'll keep you on your toes listening until the very end.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Scouting For Girls, Early Arctic Monkeys, The Kook
Sasha Sloan ft Sam Hunt - When Was It Over?
'When Was It Over?' is the latest release from Sasha Sloan, in which she teams up with country-pop based Sam Hunt. The track is a melancholy ode to wondering when the other partner in an ex-relationship actually decided the relationship was over.
The lowkey acoustic guitar partners well with Sloan's delicate vocals and Huts honeyed country style vice. The heartbreak really pulls through and it's the type of song that you'll listen to staring at the ceiling late at night.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Taylor Swift's folklore/evermore, FINNEAS, James TW
PINK ELEFANTS - Sound of Violence
'Sound of Violence' can be described as a fusion between atmospheric hip-hop production and melodic pop hooks.
Speaking on the inspiration for the song, the band writes, “the observer in the song narrates as if they are in some lavish party in the hills. At first the party seems perfect until you look closely and peel back the layers. As the veneer begins to decay we can all start to see the darkness underneath.”
This theme is easily presented by 'Sound of Violence' which builds a sense of dread throughout the song, with its whispering vocals and a thumping bassline. It's a song that makes you think, but will also have your head bopping along by the end of the first chorus.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: The Weeknd
Matilda Cole - Afternoon Haze
Afternoon Haze is the subdued latest release from Matilda Cole. On the video (below) Cole states that the song is about 'depersonalisation and derealisation which I've...struggled with for four years'.
Afternoon Haze is an on-the-surface upbeat song with a simple backing track that well-frames Cole's subtle vocals. The production quality on the song is especially good, as it well represents the haze that's being discussed in the lyrical content of the song.
It's the perfect listen for if you're feeling a little out of yourself, or as the title suggests, hazy.
FOR IF YOU LIKE: Billie Eilish, Bea Miller
You can find all of these songs, as well as others that we've had on repeat this week, on the 'on repeat - april 2021' playlist.