Best Songs of the Week

Fellow Minnesotans Finding Novyon and Allan Kingdom linked up on “Lots” with excellent results. The song maintains one of 2015's trends: many of the hits that have surfaced in the last year have been more low key than usual. They’re the tracks that don’t hit you over the head—"Lots" slowly creeps under your skin, and by the end you're totally hooked. After one listen, I already noticed the words of the chorus unconsciously coming out of my mouth—and that’s how these low-key hits always get me.

Finding Novyon and Allan Kingdom brighten up an otherwise dark and eerie beat by seamlessly going verse for verse on the track. “Lots” creates a bass-heavy, relaxed vibe—a perfect juxtaposition. The blend of the two opposite moods result in the kind of song that I want to hear when I’m trying to turn up at the bar without spilling my drink.—Adrienne Black

Speaking on their new album, CHVRCHES' synth player Martin Doherty explained: “After making one record that people really like, some bands reject the things that everyone liked about them and make some really deep, thoughtful, dark record, but I wanted to avoid making a ‘mature’ album. That said, it’s not like we’re making saccharine shite. There’s important lyrical content, and we’re still pushing the same emotional boundaries, but also trying to make it as accessible as possible.”

"Leave A Trace" accomplishes that goal perfectly. The pop songwriting is top notch, and I'm thankful that this Scottish trio isn't veering from what made them so good in the first place. When it comes to synth-heavy pop music, CHVRCHES is still the best doing it. Their second album, Every Open Eye, comes out on September 25.—Confusion

Swindle's been moving towards this truly impressive hybrid of live instrumentation and electronic sounds that artists like Roni Size laid the groundwork for years ago. His Peace, Love & Music album highlights his travels around the world and the influences he's picked up on the way.

With "London To LA," the UK-based Swindle pairs his intoxicating, laid-back bassfunk with Los Angeles vocalist/producer Ash Riser, who concocts a simple refrain that ends up laying the entire foundation for this sleepy gem. This is one of those jams to dream about red eye flights, blunt in hand, a couch stuck to your backside. And wait for those strings at the end. Magic.—khal

Suicideyear has become a cult favorite over the past few years for his frosty production style, providing crystallic soundscapes for the likes of Yung Lean and Rome Fortune. His latest collaboration, however, might just be the most suited pairing of his career thus far. Suicideyear's foreboding, skittering production blends perfectly with the grimey delivery of West London's K9. "Scarr" may be an instrumental from 2013, but K9 makes it his own, injecting new life into the track with considerable ease. These two make for a formidable duo any way you look it, so here's hoping "Scarr" isn't just a one-off.—Joe Price

Trevor Powers (better known as Youth Lagoon) has a voice unlike any other. His quavering high notes hover just below shrillness, transmitting a vulnerability that echoes through to his lyrics. His voice maneuvers space as a small animal would crevices, poking through the dark in search of shelter. His best songs—like “The Knower,” our first glimpse of his third album—act as something accidentally stumbled upon. They’re treasures that, at times, feel as if they weren’t meant for our ears. Most aim for accessibility and pursue trends to achieve it. Youth Lagoon acquires fans by creating what was previously unheard.

On "The Knower," he tackles the common hypocrisies of mankind with PSA lyrics: “Everybody wants to think they’re not what they ate, that their body’s great.” Whether you love or hate this lead single, you can't ignore it. Powers’ chilling delivery and concluding trumpet flourishes make for one hell of a return to form.—Alex Siber

20-year-old Virginia/Maryland rapper Innanet James dropped his debut song "Black" at the perfect moment. Hip-hop is branching out in all kinds of new directions, but outside of a few young artists like Chance The Rapper and GoldLink, we've seen a trend toward methodical rappers who rely heavily on repetition within their flows. Innanet offers up something fresh—an unpredictable, agile delivery that bounces around like a small rubber ball in a cement room. Having diversity in any genre is always a healthy thing, and Innanet James is an exciting addition to hip-hop's class of newcomers. Read more about him here.—Confusion

The other week my friend was looking at my Spotify playlists and said, "You honestly only listen to powerful women and Young Thug." And I know he was joking, but he's kind of right. It's not because I'm a girl and I ride hard for my females, but it's because I really believe in what women are putting out right now. They're innovative, strong, fierce, and most importantly, immensely talented.

Nineteen-year-old Cloves is the latest lady to look out for and if you're wondering why, "Don't You Wait" is my answer. It's beautifully sparse, relying only on Cloves' emotive vocals and minimal instrumentation. She's young, but her songs have a deep sophistication, something that's as compelling as it is impressive.—Katie K.

I'm not a big Future fan at all. I like dirty synths and 808 drums, though, and Dirty Sprite 2's "I Serve The Base" had me stuck, to the point where I couldn't listen to the rest of the project. It's one of those cuts that's hypnotic from the jump, something that I will never hear on the radio but will mob through crowded subways and at my desk to. I don't even know what lean tastes like, nor do I have aspirations to sell dope in Reeboks, but Future makes you feel some wild shit sometimes.—khal

Yesterday was not a good day for Young Thug. He was named in an indictment which detailed the attempted murder of Lil Wayne and he was also charged for drugs and weapons violations after police searched his house. Happily, today the focus is back on his music, as Thug drops the first single from his album Hy!£UN35, due out later this year.

"Pacificer" is suitably weird, packed with melodic runs, rhymes that you'll need Genius to properly decipher, and one of Thug's most fun and most silly hooks ever. Mike WiLL Made-It did a great job with the beat too, staying away from the straightforward trap production that has been his calling card and giving the drums a sort of live feel that works perfectly.

This is a good first step for what will be Thug's official debut album—hopefully he keeps balancing the more experimental and accessible sides of his music with this much success.—Constant Gardner

I have yet to hear any evidence that Mac Demarco is capable of unhappiness. Sure, he probably sheds a lone tear just like the rest of us when (SPOILER ALERT) Mufasa dies, but if his music is any indication, his soul remains spotless.

As the rollout for Mac's "mini-album" Another One continues, the Pepperoni Playboy has treated us to a variety of goofy, grinning songs and videos that all but cement his place as music's good-vibe mascot. The drowsy chorus on "I've Been Waiting For Her" is a classic Mac hook—intensely catchy, backed by some sly guitar harmonies, and altogether chill. Let the good times roll, ad infinitum.—Graham Corrigan