There has been a lot of great new music released over the last few weeks. You can find out what was released this weekend in our New Music Report, but take a look at what we've been listening to lately. Our editors Nicole, James, and Isha have shared some of their Expert Picks for the week. Check it out below:
Nicole's Picks:
Cazzette featuring JONES - "Handful of Gold"
"I love gooold" -- What movie? Brownie points if you get that reference. And I really do love gold, but I also really love this song. I've been following Cazzette for a while. I first saw the duo live opening for Avicii years ago and they hooked me with "Beam Me Up." So, it's always amazing to see artists as their career develops.
"Handful of Gold" is very different from when I first discovered Cazzette's music. The new single shows off the more pop side of the duo, and it features vocals from UK singer/songwriter JONES. The song will be featured on Cazzette's upcoming EP called Time, which is set to be released in June. And if this (and their previous single "Oceans") is any indication of the rest of the music on there, then I can't wait to hear it, because this collaboration is quite literally a handful of gold.
Maejor - "Intuition"
If you're not familiar with Maejor, do yourself a favor and get acquainted. I'm glad I did. I'll be honest, my first maejor introduction (ha, see what I did there) to him was when I came across Maejor's "Vibrations," which he released earlier this year at the end of January. Since then, he's released a few more new songs including "Dance" and his latest, "Intuition." And now I'm absolutely hooked.
Maejor's new music is everything I like in a song. It's dance-y and melodic with chill, laid back vibes -- and his voice is so smooth. Best of all, his lyrics are so meaningful and relatable. He sings on his latest song, "My intuition is never wrong/I know there's something going on." Umm, did you take a little trip to inside of my brain, Maejor? Because SAME.
In case you didn't know, the 30-year-old singer/songwriter has been in the music business for a minute. Over the last seven years, he's collaborated with artists like J. Cole, Jeremih, Trey Songz, and more. And his writing credits include songs from people like Justin Bieber, Three 6 Mafia, Austin Mahone, and a long list of others. If Maejor put out a full-length album this year, I'd be very happy (**cough, cough, make it happen, cough cough**).
Felix Snow featuring Marc. E Bassy & TYSM - "Cherry on Top"
Ah, yes, "Cherry On Top." It really is. We need to talk about Felix Snow, though. His name might sound familiar from his collaboration with Kiiara (see above), BUT, you've probably heard his work before as he has made plenty of bops being involved with a group called Terror Jr. -- they released an album called Bop City, and went viral after Kylie Jenner used one of their songs in her lipstick commercial. And you can definitely hear the production similarities between that record and "Cherry On Top," which is for sure, another bop.
After I discovered Bop City last year, I loved it so much, I was hoping the group would put out more. So when I came across "Cherry On Top," naturally I couldn't help myself. So thanks, Felix. Keep making these bops.
Follow Nicole on Twitter: @NicoleMastr0
James' Picks:
BANKS - "Crowded Places"
Days before her set at Coachella, the mysterious pop star that is Banks snuck "Crowded Places," a previously unheard ballad, into an episode of HBO's "Girls." It's a tender and emotional number that will most certainly do things to you. I mean, there’s a reason it was incorporated into one of the most emotional episodes of the series. Don’t say that we didn't warn you!
Nelly Furtado - "Cold Hard Truth"
As part of the resurgence alongside the comeback kids of the 2000s, Nelly Furtado is back on the scene and her arrival deserves (at least partial) notice, courtesy of tracks like "Cold Hard Truth” and “Paris Sun." As the second single from her new LP, The Ride, the former finds the Canadian singer/songwriter delivering a funky number about breaking away from a toxic lover, with a slight nod to her very first hit, "I'm like A Bird." Fly away with Furtado and this kiss-off anthem!
Follow James on Twitter: @newyorkinstinct
Isha's Picks:
Nas - "Angel Dust"
Right off the rip, “Angel Dust” gives you that 1990s vibe. Unfortunately, the hot song is a little less than 2 minutes long. But, it’s so fire that you’ll put it on repeat before it even completely finishes. On the track, Nas talks about the drug and the role is played in his past life, before the fame. A news segment discussing the drug can also be heard at the end of it. This track is so 90s and so NY. What more could you ask for?
Dave East - "Mask Off (EastMix)"
Harlem’s own Dave East remixed Future’s “Mask Off.” No shade to Mr. Hendrix, but hearing real bars on the flute-based production gave us all the feels while listening to it. East bragged about his new rapper lifestyle, as well as his previous life roaming those Spanish Harlem streets. Using his voice as an instrument, would you say that East just won the #MaskOffChallenge?
Follow Isha on Twitter: @IshaThorpe