Best Songs of the Week

Mick Jenkins might not be the first name that comes to mind when considering the crossover potential of Chicago rappers. From Trees & Truths to much of 2014's The Water[s], the lyricist struck the scene more so as a poet armed with a knack for rhythm and a deep-chested voice. The shining chimes and synths of "Get Up Get Down," produced by Stefan Ponce and ThemPeople, almost instantly elevate the MC to a place of mainstream access. It's a notable achievement in that it's expertly executed, but also because longtime fans might consider it a worrisome step.

The hook, seemingly inspired by a portion of Vic Mensa's own Ponce-produced cut, "Down On My Luck," encourages sing-along chants. It also represents Jenkins' continued exploration of a novel lane, with this Wave[s] single perhaps his most aggressive stab at pop. The record concludes with the noise of a jet engine, leaving Jenkins' intentions all too clear. He's hellbent on taking off.—Alex Siber

The rollout for Lianne La Havas' new album Blood has been flawless, each new song building from the last one, charming us a little bit more, and that's even before watching the awesome "Unstoppable" video. We waited three ong years from La Havas' debut album for its followup, but by the sound of things, it's been totally worth it.—Constant Gardner

Stefan Ponce is having a crazy 2015. He burst onto the scene last year by co-producing Childish Gambino's "3005," and has parlayed that success into high-profile productions for Vic Mensa ("U Mad") and Mick Jenkins ("Get Up, Get Down").

But Ponce flips the script this time around, stepping away from rap to deliver a bouncy, melodic dance track with a mysterious female vocalist. "Forever Julie" is part future bounce and part pop classicism, a tightly wound ball of percussion and vocal flips that flies through its not-quite-three-minute runtime far too fast. Big things coming for Stefan Ponce, and I'm not just talking about the hair.—Graham Corrigan

Don't ask me what "lemon eyes" are. It's loosely related to having citrus squeezed in your pupils and the resulting emotional bitterness, if I'm reading Meg Myers' lyrics correctly. But then again, when you're writing such pitch-perfect rock songs, the lyrics aren't always going to be so closely scrutinized. When those drums kick in to signal the true arrival of Meg's chorus, she could be singing about knocking back a few septic tank Slurpees for all I care.

Maybe that's a personal problem, but this is the strongest case yet that her Sorry album (due out in September) is one to watch for.—Graham Corrigan

Once in a while, an artist comes along and just shows everyone how it's done, regardless of their current stature. At this point it's really not too much of a stretch to say that no one is on Blank Body's level, especially when considering the immeasurably high levels of quality found on his latest release, EXPLICIT DELUXE.

Utilizing every weapon in his vibrant, one of a kind arsenal, the audacious 33-minute-long release makes a rock-solid case for Blank Body as 2015's most exciting producer. It's hard to pick one track from the release that makes it clear just how talented Blank Body is, but "OXTAIL" might just be the one that encompasses the most colors featured in his vivid aural palette.

Sure, it doesn't make IDM cool again like "EXPLICIT" does (intelligent dude music???), or make the impressive splash that "L FOR L" does, but it does showcase just how adept he is at crafting a gorgeous melody. It's one of the things that makes him unique in this current wave of SoundCloud-based producers, not in that he places such a focus on crafting an elegant melody around the thudding beats, but in that he's so just goddamn good at it. There may be other producers out there trying their hardest to sound like him, but let's be real, none of them hold a candle to his sun.—Joe Price

Kwabs and SOHN are a super duo. They’ve proved this fact multiple times in the past with collaborations like “Last Stand,” “Wrong or Right,” and “Something Right.” When they work together, their differences dissolve to create a beautiful blend that highlights each of their individual styles. The duo created magic once again with their latest collaboration, “Look Over Your Shoulder.”

Kwabs has a soulful voice that is filled with an undeniable power—a voice that would normally be found performing down-tempo ballads or belting to crowds on Broadway. But the complexity of SOHN’s beat allows Kwabs to take a further step outside of the prepackaged R&B box. Both Kwabs and SOHN have the ability to grab a listener’s attention with their talent but when they come together, one never overshadows the other. Their individual talent always helps to heighten the other’s, and that’s the beauty of it.—Adrienne Black

Rationale just keeps getting better and better. After two impressive songs as a faceless entity with a stunning voice, the London-based singer and producer revealed his face alongside new track "Fuel To The Fire," which was premiered on BBC Radio 1.

It's his rawest and most direct song yet, written while "watching particularly grim news on the television around a year and a half ago," with the anthemic chorus not disguising the pain in his voice. Rationale is one of 2015's most exciting new artists, matching pop songwriting chops with an honesty that is rare to find.

Watch the stark black and white video here.—Constant Gardner