10 new songs you need to hear this weekend

Star Tracks compiles the most exciting new music from a wide range of established and emerging artists. This week’s playlist includes music from MorMor, Muni Long and Saweetie, Steve Lacy, Joey Bada$$, Fletcher, Spiritbox, Monica and Ty Dolla $ign, Savannah Ré and Rico Nasty.

Click here to listen to Spotify playlist.

MorMor: Far from Each Other

It’s been a few years since we last heard from Toronto singer and musician MorMor — real name Seth Nyquist — who burst onto the scene in 2018 with the song “Heavens Only Wishful,” a tender earworm and slow burn that became a surprise hit in the sprawling universe of indie pop. MorMor’s 2019 EP « Some Place Else » was a promising follow-up, featuring dreamy and delicate songs like « Outside » and the project’s title track.

Nyquist’s latest single, « Far Apart, » arrived this week, and seems to signal a slight change of course for the 30-year-old artist. Over punchy drums and a hopping bassline, MorMor sounds peppy, serving up spoken-word bars about a toxic relationship before launching into a Prince-esque falsetto on the chorus. « By writing this song, I was able to regain a sense of optimism during a dark time », MorMor wrote on Twitter. Indeed, « Far Apart » sounds less like a breakup song and more like a song about someone choosing to move on. — Richie Assaly

Muni Long (feat. Saweetie): Baby Boo

Fresh off her hit records ‘Time Machine’ and ‘Hrs & Hrs’, Muni Long teamed up with Saweetie for ‘Baby Boo’ – a ’90s-influenced track and the bounce on being proudly in love. . Priscilla Renea Hairston, known professionally as Long, 33, is from Vero Beach, Florida and got her start in music through songwriting. Long has written for Rihanna, Ariana Grande and Madonna. With bops like « Baby Boo », I’m so glad to see her performing her own work. It’s a fun song – « something for the girls, for the summer », as Saweetie once said of his own records. It’s the perfect track for cruising down the highway or dancing when everyone’s watching. — Annette Ejiofor

Fletcher: Becky is so sexy

Queer TikTok had a field day (er, week) with snippets of pop singer Fletcher’s new single « Becky’s So Hot » from her upcoming album, « Girl of My Dreams.” And how could he not? She names her ex’s new girlfriend and comments on how hot she is. It was peak drama and the app devoured it, with some users even creating explanations for the single.

« Are you in love like we were? » / If I was you, I’d probably keep it / Makes me wanna hit it when I see it / ‘Cause Becky looks so sexy in your vintage t-shirt,” she slurps over a pop track accompanied by an electric guitar.

Fletcher is no stranger to writing songs about her longtime ex, Shannon Beveridge. The duo dated for four years before ending their relationship, then proceeded to quarantine with each other right after during the early stages of the COVID pandemic. This led to the release of Fletcher’s « THE S(EX) TAPES » EP, a visual album created alongside Beveridge after their separation, but Beveridge has made it known that she had no part in the creation of this new song about his girlfriend, Becky Missal. .

Is the song controversial? Yes. But is it a boo? Yes too. — Alessia Passafume

Joey Bada$$ (feat. Larry June) : One Of Us

I’m going on vacation and I need some summer tunes for the playlist. « One of Us » fits too well. The Drake-esque vocal sample and ever-rising strings are more than enough to conjure up a Sunday vibe that Joey Bada$$ and Larry June simply need to exist. Not that they don’t pull their weight – Larry June’s career has been built on relaxed summer vibes and his verse continues that trend by reminiscing and flexing: « I used to wash cars, to go matinee / Now I just shoot to go play / I’m the type to let a bad b— go Joey Bada$$ also delivers a nifty verse, one with an old school beat and boastful bars who make sure you know « Me and June one in the same, fucking summer. » — Demar Grant

Spirit Box: Rotoscope

Spiritbox makes metal mainstream again. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good thing for the genre.

After releasing their debut album ‘Eternal Blue’ last year, the Canadian band – created by power couple Courtney LaPlante (vocals) and Mike Stringer (guitar) in 2017 – continue their meteoric rise in metal with another round of new tracks, including the latest single « Rotoscope ».

Who knew a heavy song could be both catchy and cathartic? Channeling some 90s Garbage vibes, mixing them with their dangerously low guitars and destructive breakdowns, Spiritbox have concocted an explosive cocktail of metal madness that you can simultaneously dance to and throw fists to.

And with nearly two million views on their music video at the time of writing (yes, I know I’m a little behind), it looks like I’m not the only one who thinks Spiritbox might be the next big thing. in metal, if they have not already obtained this status. Listen. — Justin Smilies

Monica and Ty Dolla $ign: friends

I’m of the opinion that Ty Dolla $ign – the oft-featured, raspy-voiced crooner who played a key role in bridging the gap between hip hop and R&B – could appear in a song alongside a chorus of farm animals in distress and it would still sound good. It’s no surprise, then, that his recent duet with legendary singer Monica is a match made in R&B heaven.

On « Friends, » backed by little more than acoustic guitar and a healthy dose of digital bass, Monica and Ty Dolla take on the role of two lovers bent on rejecting the opinions of critical friends who would get in their way. : “They don’t I don’t get it / What we’re going through, » Monica sings. « They don’t notice all the little things / In everything you do. » But the song peaks during the bridge, as the two singers exchange vocal tracks, their voices – elegant, raw and textured – weaving together in a powerful crescendo.

In recent months, Monica has hinted that she is preparing to release a country album inspired by her obsession with Dolly Parton. Sounds interesting, but in the meantime, I’ll happily stick to classic R&B ballads like « Friends. » — AR

Steve Lacy: Gemini rights

Featuring « CAPRISONGS » by FKA Twigs” and Steve Lacy’s new « Gemini Rights, » 2022 is shaping up to be the year of astrology-infused albums. You can browse 24-year-old Lacy’s latest project without hitting the skip button once. The guitarist, singer and member of R&B group The Internet got his start creating music on his iPhone’s Garage Band software, but « Gemini Rights » is far from a DIY project.

Jumping in and out of falsetto, the album’s most-streamed single on Spotify, « Bad Habit, » details Lacy’s regret at not pursuing a love interest in the catchiest way possible, creating the track. been perfect. « I thought you were too good for me, darling / Never gave me the time of day, darling / It’s alright, things happen for / Reasons that I think are sure, yeah / I wish I knew, I wish I knew you wanted me.”

Other highlights from the album include “Mercury,” a laid-back jazzy R&B song inspired by Bossa nova, and “Sunshine,” a duet with Fousheé, an R&B and soul singer whose song went viral on TikTok. without credit while the app was still growing in popularity. — PA

Savannah Re: About U

Sweet and sad, such is the motto of Savannah Ré. Despite its clean baseline and classic R&B drumming, « About U » still delivers a melancholic vibe thanks to Ré’s vocals. Calling for a recurring, recurring love, she laments the pitfalls of their relationship. The distance makes the heart grow fonder and the strings « About U » which, with D singing « I got sh— to do, ooh-ooh, ooh / But I’m still here / Thinking about you. » Soft and sensual, Ré’s voice coats « About U » with a warming balm that soothes those who can identify with her pain. — CEO

Doechii (feat. SZA): Persuasive the Remix

Two musical powerhouses – the rap lyricism of Doechii mixed with the syncopated R&B melodies of SZA – have joined forces on “Persuasive (Remix).” The original vogue and pop track by Doechii, 23, from Florida, has seen increased success due to its confident lyricism – « Feel like the feel of a silk press » – and Doechii’s ability to motivate anyone who listens to his songs take agency over their lives and their right to get up and dance. SZA, the 32-year-old Missourian who quickly solidified herself in music (R&B, hip-hop, pop, etc.) through her « CTRL » album and major collaborations such as the « Black Panther » soundtrack, is a happy addition to the « Persuasive » remix. Where Doechii’s verse commands her listeners as she sings and raps on a factual basis, SZA’s verse is a more vulnerable, emotionally sung melody; the perfect balance for this duo on a record that sounds new with each listen. — EA

Rico Nasty: Blow Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FljkK5_GWTA« Give me that plate, I just ate / No, he ain’t bae, but he’s mine for the day, » Rico Nasty spits on « Blow Me, » the MC’s latest NSFW banger, rattling off a series noxious boasting over a rumbling bassline and eerie piano keys. Like the best punk music, « Blow Me » is abrasive yet catchy, provocative yet always inviting – and a fierce reminder that DC’s 25-year-old is one of the most exciting and versatile rappers working today.

Rico Nasty’s new EP, Las Ruinas, was released on Friday. — AR

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