Best Songs of the Week

There is not a single bad song on Boston rapper Cousin Stizz's new Suffolk County mixtape. That shouldn't be such a rare feat to accomplish, but over-sharing in modern times has led to a no-filter approach by many young artists, and to find a project without any filler has become a difficult task. There's nothing flashy about Stizz—the key to his success lies in hypnotic deliveries, beat selection, and his ability to come up with effortless, low-key infectious hooks. "Shoutout" and "No Bells" are early standouts, but "Dirty Bands" is going to be the next up in heavy rotation.—Confusion

It seems like Leon Bridges can really do no wrong. Each single he has put out has been just as good as the last, if not better. His previous singles, “Coming Home” and “River,” have been slower, soulful ballads, but Bridges switched things up a bit for his latest track “Smooth Sailing.” Rather than having an entire album full of down tempo, heartfelt tracks, Bridges decided to add some fun to the mix.

His previous singles were the kind of songs that sweethearts would want to slow dance to, but “Smooth Sailing,” on the other hand, could get a party started. Leon Bridges had me believing that slow songs were his thing, but “Smooth Sailing” just proved that he has a lot more surprises up his sleeve.—Adrienne Black

Shura, Shura, Shura. You sure are a lot to handle, what with your crystalline pop gems and seven-minute guitar opuses. Opie? If I'm incoherent and discombobulated, it's from listening to "White Light" on repeat for the last three days, bathing in its...light...and sound.

Rare is the songwriter that can find a way to keep the beat going for this long, but that's an adjective on Shura's shortlist. It's a magnificent addition to her growing swell of fantastic songs, and proof that she's not afraid to take a few chances on her way to the top.—Graham Corrigan

Late last year, one of the strangest and most promising viral sensations in recent memory, Spooky Black, announced a big turning point. Going from a goofy name that didn't really do justice to the music he's capable of producing to his real name, Corbin, felt like the next logical step in his artistic evolution. After the phenomenal "Worn," his best track to date, anticipation for where he was set to head next skyrocketed.

But, as with pretty much everything he's been up to since gaining popularity on the internet, he's taken a little bit of an unexpected turn. Working once again with his TheStand4rd cohort, and criminally underrated producer, Bobby Raps, Corbin isn't choosing to step entirely into the limelight just yet. In fact, it's Bobby that stands out the most on Couch Potato. Entirely produced by Bobby, the project makes the most of their respective talents, featuring some fantastic lyrics from both artists, as well as some intricate and innovative production.

The opening track of the EP, "Welcome to the Hell Zone," sets the dreary yet airy tone for the entire EP, showcasing just how far they've both come as artists. There's not a lot that can be said that the track doesn't already say for me, but that's where its beauty lies. Behind their tiny sunglasses and bizarre facade, there's a earnest desire to be taken seriously as musicians. Here's hoping people quit sleeping on Bobby's production soon, because if there's anything Couch Potato has demonstrated, it's that he really is becoming one of the most essential producers of the year.

And that video...—Joe Price

Don't let the gorgeous synth melodies or heart-string tugging vocal snippets fool you, "Abrasion" is still a heavyweight tune. "The Past," which was the first song we heard from Dark0's upcoming Solace EP, was a unique and calming track, the sort of sound you might hear coming from another life form engaged in a ritual celebration of their world's seven suns, in a temple on a planet far, far away.

"Abrasion" is a little more grounded, that cavernous bass (which you really need to hear on a proper soundsystem) stopping you dead in your tracks after the glorious opening 50 seconds. Dark0 is one of the most exciting producers in the UK at the moment, get to know him a bit better here, and check out more of his music here.—Constant Gardner

Related: 15 UK Producers You Should Look Out For in 2015

TDE's (supposed) next star came correct with this one: grim trumpets and a steady, faraway beat give Jay Rock plenty of room to deliver a bouncing, murderous flow on this sequel to Kendrick Lamar's "Money Trees." Kendrick doesn't make an appearance on the followup but Jay Rock holds his own with a few growling verses, further cementing his role as the TDE's stone-faced street hustler.

It's been four years since Rock's debut Follow Me Home so this is a hopeful sign of things to come. Graham Corrigan- Graham Corrigan

When we talked to Max Wonders, he told us his sound is influenced by Outkast, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sebadoh, Lou Reed, and old Lil Wayne.

On paper, it's difficult to image how one cultivates a style from such varying and diverse genres. But then you listen to Max Wonders, and it makes sense. In his music there's touches of R&B, hints of pop tendencies, flashes of rock, and a hip-hop core. But what's most impressive about his ability to tie these all together, is his confidence in doing so. He effortlessly guides his genre-bending ship, with every beat and rhyme purposeful and assured. This is perhaps most evident on "88 Changes," a song that shows both Wonders' ability as well as potential. -Katie Kelly

Idris Elba was going to be on a remix to Skepta's big anthem "Shutdown." Was it all a joke, would Idris, aka Stringer, aka the black James Bond, aka real badman on road just have a speaking part at the beginning or what?

Hell no, Idris got bars! And he sprays them all over the track, coming in from the very start of the track. Legendary London ting.—Constant Gardner