Pigeons & Planes' Best Songs of the Week

With so much good music, 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.

Despite the fact that the Zaytoven beat from "When I Think About It" was already used by Larry League last year, Future still sounds great on it. At this point in his career, the Atlanta veteran has little to prove—he's not reinventing himself with each release or turning his roll-outs into spectacles. BEASTMODE 2 was presented as a spontaneous last-minute decision, but the 9-song project feels fully formed. Future and Zaytoven stick to the formula, and on tracks like "When I Think About It," "Wifi Lit," "Racks Blue," and "Hate The Real Me," the chemistry between these two is evident. Future's one of the only rappers out who can make even the most hedonistic song feel genuinely thoughtful and emotional, and when you add some Zaytoven keys to that, it's a beautiful thing.—Jacob Moore

21-year-old Memphis producer Tay Keith has been having quite a year, shaping the sound of current rap with beats for superstars like Drake and A$AP Rocky as well as more underground artists like Xavier Wulf and Hoodrich Pablo Juan. His latest work is Lil Yachty's new single "Who Want The Smoke," featuring rap's premier couple, Cardi B and Offset, as well as ad libs from BlocBoy JB. Expect to hear this one played loud this summer.—Alex Gardner

Clairo emerged with a hushed, lo-fi sound on songs like "Flaming Hot Cheetos," but it quickly became clear that she had more widescreen ambitions. Describing her early songs as demos, Clairo is now releasing more polished music like "4EVER" and her latest single, "Better," a disco-leaning collaboration with producer SG Lewis. 

"Sam [SG Lewis] is one of the most talented producers I know," Clairo says. "We met the same day that we made this song, and just clicked instantly. 'Better' is one of the first real steps I’ve made into pop music and this collab feels like a match made in heaven!"—Alex Gardner

SHOWTIME! Meek Mill always brings the energy on his tracks, and with Swizz Beatz gassing him up you already know "Millidelphia" is going to hit hard. Over a regal beat, Meek proclaims that he wont let his legal troubles hold him back, and his new EP Legends of Summer confirms that he's back. There's a slower song with Jeremih and PnB Rock ("Dangerous"), but Meek's at his best going in over uptempo production, as on "1am" and "Millidelphia."—Alex Gardner

It's been over two years since Wellington's Lontalius delivered his gorgeous debut album, I'll Forget 17. His heartfelt, tender approach to emotional pop music attracted the attention of Jay Z and Frank Ocean producer Om'Mas Keith, and ever since he's been working on a follow-up from his current homebase of Los Angeles.

"I Wanted Him" and "That Includes You" are our first previews of what he's been working on since that stunning debut, and it suggests there's a lot of great music to come. More polished, but no less charming, both of the songs retain and further embellish that tactile emotion that makes it so easy to fall in love with his music. "I Wanted Him," with its lush textures and frank lyrics, is exactly the musical comedown needed after such an intense June.—Joe Price

Kweku Collins and Ajani Jones craft a hazy, romantic ode as warm and kinetic as Chicago summer itself. Collins is at his best atop these kinds of humid beats, with his elastic flow stretching and bending around the track’s buzzy synths and choppy percussion. Jones is a slightly more traditional MC, and his flow, full of knotty internal rhymes, is a perfect compliment to the melodies elsewhere. The breakdown on “Sisko and Kasidy” is languid and carefree, but with some ominous shades undertow, as the pitch-shifted vocals slither around the mix. Even the most blissful summer is ultimately an oasis, and Kweku’s production is a gentle reminder of that, making “Sisko and Kasidy” a track as suited for your day party playlist as it is for the 3:00AM drive home.—Grant Rindner

Lou The Human gets personal on his latest song, "Fuck Your Opinion." His Humaniac mixtape was an exercise in rapping ability and insane lyricism, but it sounds like the Staten Island rapper is more focused on telling his story with the upcoming Painkiller Paradise. "Fuck Your Opinion" is a glimpse into Lou's past and a snapshot of his outlook right now, and it's an intense way to kick off the next chapter for Lou The Human.—Jacob Moore

Check out some other rising New York City rappers here.

It's summer, and thankfully Avelino and Not3s came through and dropped party-ready single "Boasy" at just the right time. Over the years, Avelino has shown us how versatile he can be on tracks but this summery record feels like another level of his ability. Rising singer/rapper Not3s has a sharp ability to make catchy hooks over bouncy rhythms with his naturally melodic tone and on "Boasy" the two have perfect chemistry. As they say themselves, Avelino and Not3s are not ones to boast so I'm here to hype it up for them. "Boasy" is an immediate heater that deserves some replay love at the functions this summer.—Adrienne Black

Toronto duo MONEYPHONE made a strong intro this week with "On Lock," the first single from their upcoming EP, Athletes. A charming, restrained blend of bedroom pop and off-kilter rap, "On Lock" promises a bright future ahead. With Jonah Yano contributing some gorgeous vocals to the track in its second half, all three vocalists blend together to create a surprising harmony that is full of character. The chemistry is already remarkable, making it highly likely the forthcoming Athletes will match the potential of "On Lock" and then some.—Joe Price

Read our interview with MONEYPHONE here.