So, I’m not very good at keeping to a schedule with these MuuTunes posts. It’s basically whenever I decide to add a batch of fresh tracks to the playlist. Also, I’m also not very good at keeping it down to a certain track count. It’s pretty much however many songs I want to add until I feel a post is necessary. You’re fine with all that, right? To be honest, I don’t really care if you are. That’s just how it’s going to work. Listen, and enjoy.
1.) Banks, “Drowning” (Original Post) (iTunes)
Everything off of Banks’ debut LP ‘Goddess’ is proving to be just as promising, dark and eerily beautiful as hoped — and “Drowning” is certainly no exception.
2.) Jennifer Lopez, “Expertease (Ready Set Go)” (Original Post) (iTunes)
Jenny’s insane new album ‘A.K.A.’ bounces from trap-pop to queer runway anthems to power rock-lite balladry. (Huh?) “Expertease,” which was rudely relegated to deluxe track status, is a Sia-penned slice of island-y pop that’s sexy, silly and unbelievably catchy all at once.
3.) Lana Del Rey, “Florida Kilos” (Original Post) (iTunes)
“Florida Kilos” is radically different from the dark ‘n stormy bulk of ‘Ultraviolence’, but it makes perfect sense for a summer playlist. Join Lana and her bad baby down on the lam in Miami for some Coca Cola-flavored drug dealing. Snort responsibly!
4.) Neon Jungle, “Trouble” (Original Post) (iTunes)
I had the pleasure of spending the day with this talented troupe on a video shoot for Idolator last week, and damn — these ladies can seriously sang. “Trouble” made ripples across the pond last year, and now they’re heading stateside to do the same this summer. Here’s hoping they repeat that success.
5.) Mapei, “Change” (Original Post) (iTunes)
Swedish-American songbird Mapei’s minimal, soulful “Don’t Wait” was one of the freshest things to happen in pop in some time. Her follow up, “Change,” on the other hand, is a massive explosion of sound that provides hope for the future. Will Mapei be the answer?
6.) Gorgon City, “Here For You (feat. Laura Welsh)” (iTunes)
Gorgon City is staying consistent with some of the freshest dance gems from across the pond, including “Ready For Your Love” with wunderkind MNEK. Laura Welsh is an exceptional rising vocalist, and she sounds fantastic across these calm, throbbing House beats sculpted for a summery escape.
7.) Jess Glynne, “Right Here” (Original Post)
Did someone say “right here”? Because Jess Glynne, “Rather Be” Queen, is right here for you, too. Her soulful solo effort is as unbelievably catchy as her Clean Bandit collaboration — and perhaps even more so. Good luck getting this chorus out of your head. OHH-uh-uhh!
8.) Closer, “Song For The Lovers” (iTunes)
UK rising duo Closer, helmed by Hervé, takes one simple utterance (“this is a song for the lovers”) and weaves it across hazy Balearic vibrations to create a transportive lil’ electronic daydream.
9.) Jhene Aiko, “To Love & Die” (iTunes)
Moody alt-R&B diva Jhene’s gearing up for the release of her debut LP. We’re ready for more, and so is she: Jhene lives and dies with love on her spaced-out, all-or-nothing ode. It’s mysterious and gorgeous — much like her.
10.) Kate Havnevik, “Micronation” (iTunes)
Kate! It’s been a minute since we last heard from the silky-voiced Norwegian chanteuse, but she’s returned with a truly glorious new cut, filled with textures of twangy guitar and swirling Eastern influences. Declare independence!
11.) FKA Twigs, “Two Weeks” (iTunes)
FKA Twigs — which stands for Formerly Known As Twigs — is one to watch. Her breathy new offering, “Two Weeks,” is a compelling, creeping alt-R&B production full of heavenly vocals and chilling beats that conjure heavy shades of The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey.