Best Songs of the Week

Lyrically, "2Shy" is Shura at her most vulnerable, detailing the complicated situation of being in love but not bold enough to be open about it. Ironically, she lets it all out through this song, holding back nothing in this breathy, spacious anthem. The message here is loud and clear, and musically, it's everything we love about Shura—a slightly retro vibe, a melody that sticks around long after the song stops playing, and moody but still danceable production.—Confusion

From the outset, Young Fathers have refused easy categorization. The Scottish trio blew us away last year with Death, their genre-smashing album, and it's already looking as if their follow-up, the fantastically named White Men Are Black Men Too is going to live up to their Mercury Award winning debut.

"Shame," the second song we've heard, sees the band going down a rugged rock route, and nailing it, sounding like the kind of band you might expect to stumble across playing in a dusty, sunlit bar in the Midwest somewhere. It seems like we're just starting to see Young Father's range—2015 should be a big year for them.—Constant Gardner

I was recently talking to someone about the idea of a "perfect album." You guys know what I mean right? The kind of album where you don't skip any songs and each song could arguably be your favorite on the album. The kind of work that, regardless of how many years you leave it, when you go back to it, it still hits you in a profound and humbling way. Sufjan Stevens' Illinois is one of those albums for me.

"Should Have Known Better" sounds like it could've been on this album, nestled somewhere between "Casimir Pulaski Day" and "John Wayne Gacy Jr." It's a return to a sound Stevens first wowed us with, one that showcases genius arrangements and brilliantly poignant lyricism.

Sure Stevens had some weird years between then and now, but if that's what it took to get us something like "Should Have Known Better," then Carrie & Lowell will be well worth the wait.—Katie K.

I don't have a problem if you don't know who Spank Mack is. I wasn't aware of dude until a homey sent over his MxA EP earlier this week. Track two, "Side Street," had me open off the rip. It has a loop in it that I'd get lost in about midway through a 12-pack of Heineken, with rumbling bass accents. "This the Mack from the side street / Where your innocence and your first high meet" is how it kicks off–and it stays there.

It's weird, the same homey who sent this let me know that Spank Mack is the rap alias of Mike Gip, one of the illest Jersey club producers to ever do it–just ask people like DJ Sliink or Nadus. I didn't know that Gip had it like that on the mic! Maybe it's just me and my skewed turn up, but is Spank Mack matching the skittery slowed-down/sped-up pace of the hi-hats every now and again? Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm way off in Heinekenland. Enough slow-and-low ratchetness for me to keep on repeat this weekend. #shrug —khal

Within the last year or so that we’ve become familiar with Sango’s production, he’s proved that he is getting better with time. All of his work varies in sound and influence but there’s always some little signature quality about it that lets you know this is a Sango beat. For his latest work, the young producer teamed up with SPZRKT for their collaborative effort Hours Spent Loving You.

On their own, Sango’s beats would still be alluring but the addition of SPZRKT’s silky voice completes the package perfectly. No matter how bouncy or sporadic the production may be at the start of a track, SPZRKT’s vocals come in to calm things down. “How Do You Love Me” is simultaneously smooth and bouncy, tranquil and energetic. The combination of their two sounds makes for an extremely versatile track.—Adrienne Black

Freddie Gibbs had all sorts of expectations on his back after the success of last year's Piñata. How does he respond? By flipping the script completely, dropping a surprise EP—three songs, three distinct vibes. The opener "Pronto," is an electronic firestorm, "White Range" is a blunt ride, and "Diamonds" is best heard after the afterparty. But the Pronto EP is all Gibbs,much like the tri-color album artwork that came with it. "White Range" is my favorite of the three: Gibbs goes in over a severely silky saxophone sample, reminiscing over the cold nights and tap dancing on the beat. —Graham

British MC Stormzy's single "Where Do You Know From" was officially released this week (buy it here). The brilliantly low-budget video, which features the rappers mum (not mom), has been out for a minute, but whether or not you've seen it already, it's worth multiple views. We already told you to watch out for Stormzy, off the back of his anthem "Not That Deep," and "Where Do You Know From" suggests that he's going to keep the pressure on throughout 2015.

With the kind of personality that makes you really want to support him, a fast-growing fanbase, and tracks that pack funny punchlines and instantly memorable hooks, it's looking more and more as if it's going to be Stormzy's year.—Constant Gardner