Best Songs of the Week

For a young producer, one of the biggest challenges is finding the right sounds to match all the ambition. It's usually not about having ideas, it's about how they're executed. Listen to an amateur beatmaker try to make something that sounds like Hudson Mohawke—it's not going to happen. One of the most impressive things about Yung Gud, the Yung Lean affiliate from Sweden, is that the quality of his production is matching his ambition. It's easy to imagine this kid being an all-star producer within the next few years.—Confusion

We use the word "haunting" a lot in music writing to describe songs that leave us feeling chilled, moved, or affected. But "haunted" takes on a whole new meaning when applied to DISA’s fantastic new single "Sculpture." Consider our curiosity in the new singer officially piqued.—Katie K.

Over the past week, Jessie Ware has been sharing a remix of "Keep On Lying," from her latest album Tough Love, each day. The best of the bunch was Pional’s take, recorded at Red Bull Studios in Paris, which saw the Spanish producer seamlessly blending his experimental edge with the broad pop scope of the original. The remix starts off with shuddering bass and rolling percussion, but as it progresses, various layers are added, building to a string-based climax before dropping away again back to that dance around the fire on a beach drum work that features in so many of Pional's tracks.—Constant Gardner

There's a line from Hemingway's A Moveable Feast that speaks perfectly to how the legendary author shook off writer's block in his early years and, in the process, wrote some of the most poignant prose of the 20th century: "All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know."

Pittsburgh-bred, Brooklyn-based singer Kevin Garrett's striking single "Coloring" begins with one true sentence: "Don't want the world to know I'm by myself." Thanks to Garrett's soul-bearing lyrics and beautiful falsetto, "Coloring" is poetic without being overwrought, elegant in its outlining of a realization in the face of a disintegrating relationship.

Arresting in its emotional nudity, "Coloring" is the sort debut that seems to signal an artist's larger purpose. A promising first step from an artist to watch.—Jon Tanners

This is one of those songs that makes you stop what you’re doing and say, “Yo, what is that?!” as soon as you hear it. The production is a fusion of various contrasting elements and influences that just happen to come together so well. There’s an eerie feeling that lurks throughout the entire song but the groove of the rhythm works to balance it all out in a way that is too intriguing to ignore.

In addition to the mood already being given off by the instrumental itself, the vocals layered on top if it help to elevate this track into something that could double as cruise-worthy as well as dance-worthy. There aren't many things that would make me pull out the word cornucopia, but “Van Go” is by far a cornucopia of sound.—Adrienne Black

After watching Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf and Eminem in a controversial cypher, it was interesting to hear “Detroit Vs Everybody.” That cypher spirit carried over as Royce Da 5’9”, Big Sean and Danny Brown added their Motor City pride verses over potent production alongside Dej Loaf's hypnotic hook. Royce is as sharp as ever, no doubt ready for the next Slaughter LP and his PRhyme project with DJ Premier. Sean is clearly focused on reestablishing himself as a strong featured guest on any cut and Danny is, as always, charismatic. Meanwhile, Em brings that technical perfection along with more controversial lines for fans to applaud or cringe at.—Andres Tardio

There are some pop artists you herald for their ingenuity, who push the envelope of music by using unique instruments and electronic nuances. Then there are artists that just know how to write genuinely good, straight-forward pop hits that have the ability to hit us on a deeper level because they're accessible. Mikky Ekko is one of these artists and "Mourning Doves" is one of these songs. It favors an emotional message, carried by Ekko's raw vocals, instead of any gimmicks or tricks to pull you in. And it works.—Katie K.

It's always nice to see a young artist showing progression with each new release, and London-based singer and producer Azekel has been doing just that. "Chronophobia" is his best song yet, a mix of timeless sounding vocals and flourishes of modern production that might sound forced or unnatural together in the hands of a lesser artist, but works just perfectly here.—Constant Gardner

Yesterday morning, I got into work and Joe La Puma was blasting this song in his office. Within an hour, I had downloaded the song and listened to it at least 10 more times. It's not brand new, but it's by far the most addictive song I've listened to this week. Why isn't this a bigger hit?—Confusion