Pigeons & Planes' Best Songs of the Week

October's off to a great start.

With so much good music steadily coming through, it's easy to miss some of the best. To help prevent this, we've rounded up the best new songs of the week. Here are the songs you can't afford to skip, in no particular order.

Lil Pump ft. Chief Keef - "Whitney"

Lil Pump

If you like Lil Pump, you will love Lil Pump. If you hate Lil Pump, you will hate it. The entire mixtape sticks closely to the formula—it's repetitive, self-indulgent, and wildly reckless. It's also pretty great if you're seeking escape from boring civilian life, and songs like "Whitney"—a Chief Keef collaboration featuring an awesomely discombobulated piano-driven beat—prove that slight variations on the Lil Pump formula can be very effective.—Jacob Moore

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Kelela - "Onanon"

kelela

Kelela's debut album Take Me Apart has been in the works for quite some time, and it's finally here. Over 14 tracks, Kelela offers a body of work that encourages listeners to dance through their emotions. One of the standouts, "Onanon" features Kelela's signature balance—a subtle dance rhythm layered under her breathy, mesmerizing vocals.

Even when Kelela sings about the ups and downs of love and relationships, she makes the hardest parts sound sweet. "Onanon" is moody, but there's an energy to it that feels like motivation, a call to push through the sulk and on to better things.—Adrienne Black

King Krule - "Half Man Half Shark"

King Krule (credit: Frank Lebon)

Archy Marshall picked the guitar back up for his new album—which wasn't necessarily a given, after the decidedly ambient, sample-heavy vibes of 2015's A New Place 2 Drown

But after the moody nonchalance of "Czech One," King Krule has dropped two rock masterpieces in a row. "Dum Surfer" is a post-apocalyptic, Pixies-styled anthem for the mashed, and this week's "Half Man Half Shark" is its yang, a frenzied, anxious flurry of snares and rhymes that recall 6 Feet Beneath the Moon standout "A Lizard State." He's three for three on singles for The Ooz, which drops October 13.—Graham Corrigan

Smino - "Sorbet"

Smino

Every time Smino and Sango link up, magic happens. Their latest collaboration, "Sorbet," is further proof. The song was released as a celebration of both artists' birthdays—Sango was born October 1, 1991, and Smino followed him into the world the next day.

"Sorbet" opens with a "happy birthday" voicemail from Chicago singer Akenya, and then erupts into a joyous, high-energy affair. Atop Sango's colorful synths and punchy percussion, Smino shows off his sharp wordplay and brilliant ear for melodies. The duo's natural chemistry shines through the entire track, Sango's bouncy production matching Smino's exuberant delivery.—Charlotte Freitag

Sabrina Claudio ft. 6LACK - "Belong To You (Remix)"

sabrina claudio about time

Florida native Sabrina Claudio has been releasing music via her SoundCloud for at least two years now.  Earlier this year, her name began to buzz even more after the release of her addictive single "Unravel Me." With more eyes and ears on her, Claudio has picked the perfect moment to release her latest project About Time. The 12-track project is a sensual trip from start to finish.

About Time ends with a remix of her track "Belong To You" featuring 6LACK—making the once one-sided song a more dynamic duet with multiple perspectives. Claudio has an intriguing way of making every word she sings sound intimate, as if she were singing only to you. The addition of 6LACK on this smooth record turns what originally seems similar to a confession to an open and honest conversation between two possible lovers. —Adrienne Black

Night Lovell - "RIP Trust"

Night Lovell

Ottawa rapper Night Lovell has always sounded great over Blank Body's production, specifically on tracks like "Barbie Doll" and "The Renegade Never Dies," but on "RIP Trust" they sound more in sync than ever. Considering just how deep Lovell's voice is when he raps, the snarling guitar-like sounds that come in during the second half of the song complement his approach beautifully. It's the perfect song to kick off October.—Joe Price

Sevdaliza - "Mad Woman"

Sevdaliza for Complex x Lululemon. July 2017.

Sevdaliza's debut album Ison came out earlier this year, and the Iranian-Dutch singer and producer made her mark within the world of moody, electronic music. The album was co-produced by Mucky, and the two are back together again for a song that was debuted as part of Adult Swim's 2017 singles series.

Sevdaliza's music has always felt deeply intimate, even as she explores larger themes like the male gaze or discrimination. "Mad Woman" is another excellent song, intense and poignant even with a slower pace and restrained production. Listen below or via Adult Swim here.—Alex Gardner

Yaeji - "Drink I'm Sippin On"

Yaeji Rachael Wright

Seoul and NYC-based producer Yaeji is going the extra mile with her upcoming second EP. With the first single from the forthcoming release, "Drink I'm Sippin On," she flaunts her her ability to sound effortless rapping and singing atop her gorgeous production. It's somewhere between house music and hip-hop in a way that's thankfully far removed from the blog-friendly resurfacing of hip-house around five years back. If "Drink I'm Sippin On" is any indication, we're in for a huge treat when EP2 arrives next month.—Joe Price

Trippie Redd - "Hellboy"

Trippie Redd 2017

Trippie Redd's rise into the spotlight happened fast. In what seemed like a matter of months, he went from a loyal online following to hanging with Lil Wayne and performing to packed crowds. His biggest hit "Love Scars" has tens of millions of plays across platforms, but Trippie isn't looking to capitalize off the formula. He's proud of his abilities as a versatile artist, as he explained when we met him in Miami, and his new project A Love Letter To You 2 showcases his range. From early listens, one standout is "Hellboy," a song that's probably least similar to "Love Scars" and has Trippie balancing a more traditional rapping style with a signature Trippie melody as the hook.—Jacob Moore

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AJ Tracey - "Blacked Out"

aj tracey secure the bag

There's a calm, laid-back demeanor to London MC AJ Tracey that makes him incredibly appealing. His approach allows his rhymes to float effortless over rhythms in nearly any setting. On his latest project Secure The Bag! AJ offers up hard-hitting tracks as well mid-tempo collaborations with JME and Denzel Curry, and even a smoother track accompanied by Craig David.

Secure The Bag! kicks off with purpose—"Blacked Out" sets the high-octane tone. The Sir Spyro production creates a menacing mood that fits perfectly for AJ's delivery. AJ completes the package with his quick wordplay and effortless flow—he's making  it look easy.—Adrienne Black

IDK - "Birds & The Bees"

idk adult swim

DMV rapper IDK has reinvented himself. Since dropping the "Jay," he's leveled up with IWASVERYBAD, a six-track EP released in collaboration with Adult Swim. The project features some heavy-hitters—DOOM, Chief Keef, Swizz Beats, and Yung Gleesh all make appearances, but it's IDK's shining brightest on most tracks. It's his biggest, best work yet.

IWASVERYBAD was released in parts, each track representing a different aspect of IDK's life. "Birds and Bees" is a standout, as IDK takes a mellow turn. But the whole thing is worth a listen—look out for IDK. He's sounding inspired.—Eric Isom

Hear the rest of the project here.

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