Best Songs of the Week

Jamie xx's In Colour is a special album that has songs that will appeal to fans of pop, rap, and dance music to sweat to. There are some incredible highlights—"Loud Places" with it's heartrending hook and the pummeling "Gosh" spring to mind—but the most surprising song is "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)," featuring both Jamican dancehall star Popcaan and Young Thug.

Whether it's the production (so lush and inviting with those steel drums), or something he said, Jamie brought the best out of Thug, who delivers two quotable packed, melodic verses, matching the energy and feel of the song perfectly. Just wait until you hear the rest of the album.—Constant Gardner

With the cover art and a few singles already out, we're starting to get a better picture of what Rocky's A.L.L.A will sound like. But with every new release, he seems to explore a new style. "LSD," for example, starts with a couple of stripped-down melodies from Rocky before things suddenly pick up and he spits a verse, only to lapse back into the slow, smooth acid-infused whirlpool.

The album's official tracklist saw the light of day this week, and raised just as many questions as it answered. But I don't think anyone's worried. With tracks like "LSD," Rocky has proved to his fans that he can try things that are totally new and still sound amazing.—Graham

For a while, "Scud Books" felt like a P&P inside joke. Over two years ago, I wrote about this song in a stupid post about songs that make us feel like heroes. It's kind of ironic, now that I think about it. I sat there, in front of a computer, chest puffed out, listening to a low quality, janky radio rip of this track, writing about how it made me feel like a hero. I was probably eating dry cereal, typing away while a small pile of crumbs gathered on the crotch of my sweatpants.

At least once every couple of months, someone would bring up "Scud Books," wondering if it would ever drop or if maybe it was destined to be one of those songs that ended up as a 30-second clip in a Nike commercial. I gave up on it. I ripped it from YouTube like an asshole, and I was satisfied with this low quality radio rip because I am a savage. Yesterday, the official "Scud Books" was finally released. It's below, and on our Spotify playlist. I may still be a savage with crumbs on my crotch, but when I listen to "Scud Books," I feel like a fucking hero again. Bless your heart, Hudson Mohawke.—Confusion

When you talk about 2015 summer anthems, this lush UKG gem from TRC and Princess Nyah needs to be on your radar. TRC's been a name bubbling in the UK scene for a bit, but on "Butterflies" he truly nailed it. Bubbly bass gets accented with those perfect keys and a slick vocal performance from Nyah, documenting the feels of being around that summertime puppy love of yours. It's a cut that SHOULD float onto US radio, but it won't, no matter how infectious the bounce is. Living in the post "Latch" era, though, you'd think something this strong would make it. Fingers crossed?—khal

Sometimes songs can hit hard instantly—either from the booming production or just because the lyrics are relatable. Azekel's "Mad About The Boy" does both. Somehow, Azekel is able to take a somewhat unsettling subject about not being able to get the emotional response that he wants from someone, into a low-key jam that is easy to groove to.

“Mad About The Boy” is a versatile track. Over any other rhythm, the lyrics of this song would feel bit somber. However, the track feels like Azekel’s strategy to get this special someone comfortable enough to finally feel ready to reveal their true feelings. Deeply relatable lyrics over a head-nodding beat make this track twice as lovable.—Adrienne Black

Pardon my love of the UK grime scene, but there's something about guys like Jammz that have me open. While I'm first to admit that I love when MCs get on the mic and chat 'nuff shit about punching man in the face, there's something about an MC who can flip that kind of style and actually stick to a topic. Ripping up Fallow's remix of Finn's "Keep Calling," Jammz takes the idea of a girl blowing up his phone and turns it into a scathing "don't fucking contact me anymore, seen?!" anthem. Yeah, this isn't for everyone; doubletime flows ferociously ripping through a hyperactive riddim like this? It's a lot, but trust we, this'll mash the fuck out of the club.—khal

This band is fantastic. I already attempted to describe "Apex" once and I feel like trying again would be futile, so just trust me on this one. Move Orchestra is a trio of brothers from Arkansas and their debut single "Apex" is one of the best songs of the year. It's over seven minutes long and this is intimidating, but just invest in this song, and if you don't fuck with it, never listen to me again.—Confusion

Songs about heartbreak obviously can be moving, but fuck, how powerful is an incredible song about love and hope? That's what Kwamie Liv created with her new single, "Higher." The track's slow-building, atmospheric production gracefully marches on as Liv sings about loving someone in spite of whatever hurt they previously encountered. Every time I hear it I'm speechless, and for someone that talks about music every day, that's a feat.—Katie K.

Related: Watch Kwamie Liv Perform Tom Waits' "Fish & Bird" in a New York City Tunnel