Best Songs of the Week

There’s really nothing better than an artist who is genuinely making music for himself. Rather than trying to create something that they think will make the fans happy, they just make something that they want to hear, and in turn, the results are magical. I imagine one day Tyler, the Creator was sitting in his room listening to some old N.E.R.D records and wished they would make something new. But instead of just sitting and wishing, Tyler got up and said, “Fuck it, I’ll make it myself.”

In its first few seconds, “DEATHCAMP” sounds like a hidden gem taken directly from the N.E.R.D. vault. Halfway through, Tyler even says, “In Search Of… did more for me than Illmatic.” But Tyler clearly knows the difference between making something that just sounds like a poor copy and drawing inspiration to create something new—the results are excellent. With each listen, you hear something you didn’t hear the first time and the track continues to get better with every play.—Adrienne Black

Pushing hip-hop to its absolute limits may not be anything new, but there's a passionate earnestness to the way NAH so vehemently bashes around the genre in the inventive ways he does. His latest release barely qualifies as a single genre, blurring the lines between so many disparate sounds that it's hard to tell if it even works. However, "Sudden Separation," the opening track from the fiery EP, proves that this harsh cocktail of noise works remarkably well indeed. From its explosive start to its threatening middle section, NAH knows how to concoct a combination of influences into one terrifyingly loud yet unique molotov of sound.—Joe Price

Mr. Bitter Raps is really catching steam, and all eyes are on him as he's quickly becoming a first round draft pick out of the West Coast. The crazy part about Boogie is you never know what to expect. Just when he slows it down and gives us the sadder side of reality with "Further," he switches it up, keeps the flow, and comes way harder on "Oh My." At this pace, you know The Reach is going to be fire. OH MY GOODNESS!—Mark Iraheta

Kevin Abstract may be heading in a completely different direction with his upcoming album Death of a Supermodel, but for the time being he seems content further polishing that distinct brand of banger he's so good at making. With the promise of change on the horizon, "NOT ON DOASM 01" is just a little bittersweet considering how goddamn great it is. Apparently made in less than 24 hours, "NOT ON DOASM 01" proves just how talented these Brockhampton kids really are—what would've been a lead single for countless rappers out is a mere throwaway for Kevin.

It might seem a shame to see him move on from his current sound so soon, but we already know Kevin is an artist all about self-improvement. However he finds himself evolving in the future, we should know by know that we're in for a treat.—Joe Price

If you aren't up on Mick Jenkins, move him to the top of your list. The Chicago rapper first blew us away with his The Water[s] mixtape, and now he's back at it with the similarly aquatically-themed The Wave[s]. But don't be fooled: Jenkins' music is anything but watery. He possesses a sharp tongue and brain bursting with ideas, hope, and discontent.

"Alchemy" finds him back in familiar territory. With Lee Bannon & ThemPeople providing production that sounds like the lovechild between Kendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools" and Shlohmo, Mick Jenkins dives into the beat like a whirling dervish, gnashing his teeth and dissecting the evils around him: "Don't greet me as god/I ain't no deity," he raps, but keeping that harsh realism intact is going to be harder and harder as Mick Jenkins' audience inevitably balloons in 2015.—Graham Corrigan

A$AP Rocky is back. His new album At.Long.Last.A$AP is on the way, and while "M'$" is not quite as grippingly immediate as "Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2," it's definitely a creeper. That "talking 'bout Ms" hook has been low-key stuck in my head all day, and Mike Dean and C-Note provide a sort of updated version of the dirty, hazy, bass-heavy production that was all over LiveLoveA$AP. Combine those elements with Rocky's effortless Uptown charisma and you've got a winning package on "M'$."—Constant Gardner

"Call Me Maybe" was the most annoying song of 2012. I believe that there is such a thing as too catchy, and "Call Me Maybe" is the quintessential example. But still, there was something really likable about this smiley new girl who seemingly came out of nowhere with this massive international hit.

Carly Rae Jepsen is still making intrusively infectious pop (see: "I Really Like You"), but on "All That," she slows things down and takes it to the '80s with a little help from producers/c0-writers Dev Hynes and Ariel Rechtshaid. This slow burner flirts with Prince and Michael Jackson vibes, and it's something I never expected from the artist who I was calling "that 'Call Me Maybe' girl" a few years ago. Hopefully this isn't the only song she worked on with Dev and Ariel.—Confusion

Watch Carly Rae Jepsen perform "All That" on Saturday Night Live.

Tame Impala took some time away from the limelight, and have come back stronger than ever. There had been rumors that their new album—this week revealed to be titled Currents—would be more electronic-based, and while eight-minute long first single "Let It Happen" went heavy on the synths, the band are back to swirling psychedelic beauty on "Cause I'm A Man." It's less scuzzy and fuzzy than anything from Lonerism, and it's a colorful reminder of their mighty songwriting abilities. Brilliant stuff.—Constant Gardner