Best Songs of the Week

With so much good music steadily coming through, it's easy to miss out on some of the best. To help prevent this, we've picked some of our favorite tracks from the week. Here are the songs you can't afford to skip, in no particular order.

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2. Tirzah - "Make It Up"

Already armed with blessings from Four Tet and Lorde, Tirzah's "Make It Up" is poised for a massive takeoff in the coming weeks. The track is a low-key dance gem, combining a simple, funky beat with Tirzah's slurred vocals, unleashing lyrical wisdom that is simultaneously apologetic and accusatory ("I wanna hear you say you let me down").

It's the kind of vibe that locks in almost immediately, but it's never boring: "Make It Up" rewards listeners under its trance with little Easter eggs, like unexpected wind chimes and subtle, devastating modifications to that hypnotic bass line. Tirzah delivers it all with a lackadaisical cool—it almost sounds like she can't be bothered, or that we've interrupted her in the midst of reading a magazine or a preferred TV show. And that's not a bad thing—in fact, her sighing delivery makes the stream of casual, heartbreaking confessions even stronger: "How you gonna love me if you're never here?"—Graham Corrigan

3. Chance The Rapper ft. Noname Gypsy - “Israel (Sparring)”

If there’s one thing that we can usually expect from any Chance The Rapper song, it’s high energy. Throughout the majority of his music, and especially during his live shows, it’s his spirited presence that continues to draw new listeners in. As much as I personally love Chance’s animated personality, I’ve become so accustomed to it that when he decides to slow things down every once in a while, I feel completely captivated.

In 2013 when Chance dropped Acid Rap, the second half of “Pusha Man”—aka “Paranoia”—seemed to resonate with me on a much deeper level than the rest of the album. When he and NoName Gypsy surprised fans with a new track titled “Israel (Sparring),” I instantly felt a sense of déjà vu. Chance takes a break from his usually fast-paced flow for a more relaxed one to match Noname Gypsy’s own easygoing delivery—as well as the velvety smooth beat. The laid-back vibe allows each of their words to make the intended impact without getting lost within the beat.

It seems too early to claim this as one of my favorite Chance songs, but I’m going to do it anyway. The beat provided by Cam O’bi is so soothing that I could easily listen to it on repeat for an entire day, or longer. With each listen, I pick up on another line that resonates with me the same way “Paranoia” originally did. These kinds of songs may come sporadically from Chance, but those gaps in between make the songs feel that much more special.—Adrienne Black

4. Max Wonders - "TV Off"

At this point it's almost redundant to note the variety of high quality rap music coming out of Chicago, but just in case you'd forgotten, here's Max Wonders to keep you up to speed. First we heard "88 Changes," all hazy reflection and melodic, slow-drawled hook, and then Max switched things up with "TV Off," perfect for bumping in the whip with the windows down and wind blowing on your face.

With another richly textured beat from Sowle, Max Wonders drops a catchy, chanted hook and throws in precise little details ("sky turned marmalade," "still can't tie my tie") that paint a vivid picture and make this one worth running back five, ten, 100 times.

So throw this tune on, put down the video games, switch off the TV, and live a little.—Constant Gardner

5. Majical Cloudz - "Silver Car Crash"

The return of Majical Cloudz is a welcome one, even if it's not easy to come to terms with his uncompromising music. Devon Welsh's lyrics are never superfluous, but they are grandiose in their simplicity, refusing to dance around any subject he chooses to tackle. There's something so direct about his delivery as well as his content—there's no misconstruing the core message of any of his songs, and "Silver Car Crash" is no different.

Whether intentional or not, "Silver Car Crash" plays out like a horrific, hypnotic catastrophe in slow motion. It's hard to look away, as there's beauty in its own minimalistic destruction. Relating death to love once again, Welsh makes it hard to stay entirely together as he so eloquently highlights the full spectrum of colors life has in store. Majical Cloudz are certainly capable of producing a singular brand of beauty, but man if it isn't heartbreaking too.—Joe Price

6. Best Songs of the Week Playlist (August 14)

7. Tiggs Da Author - "Georgia"

Born and raised in Tanzania and now based in London, Tiggs Da Author blends old school flavor with fresh energy on "Georgia." The sample of Bobby Bland's "Shoes" gives this song its soul, but Tiggs' unique voice and delivery give it an exciting edge. Tiggs is currently working on his debut album.—Confusion

8. FKA twigs - "In Time"

FKA twigs teamed up with BOOTS for a few days of creative release in New York, and the result was the brilliant M3LL155X EP. The release came accompanied by a stunning 16 minute, four-part video, but even without the stunning visuals, "In Time" stands out as one of the twigs' boldest statements to date.

You've got a goddam nerve, indeed, if you're doubting twigs at this point.—Constant Gardner

"In Time" starts at around seven minutes in the video below.

9. Mafalda - "Don't Let Go"

Mafalda only has 36 followers on Twitter. I say this not to potentially embarrass. I say this as a reminder that while sometimes social media is a huge help in getting attention, sometimes it doesn't mean a fucking thing. Talent is talent, regardless if you have 200,000 followers or two.

Mafalda's online presence (as of now) is minimal, but her music is massive. "Don't Let Go" is her new single, a cinematic and utterly gripping slice of pop perfection. Get familiar now—I'm sure you'll be hearing her name again in the future.—Katie K.

10. Disclosure ft. Kwabs - "Willing and Able"

Knowing when to lead, a proverbial concept if there ever was one, applies as much to songcraft as anything else. The Lawrence brothers have parted with a strong assortment of singles on the road to Caracal, but no release finds them surrendering control more so than "Willing and Able."

Compare the confident synth swells of "Omen" or the percussive flairs of "Holding On" to the reserved grooves of the duo's latest: the desired effect—to move you to your feet—is still achieved, but with far more focus placed on the vocalist. Kwabs is up to the challenge.

In substituting flash for refinement and emotion, Disclosure have proven themselves a mature pair well aware of when to step back and let their guests carry the torch.—Alex Siber

11. Lana Del Rey - "High By The Beach"

On last single "Honeymoon," Lana Del Rey slowed things down and brought out the strings for a cinematic effect. With "High By The Beach," she picks up the pace and delivers one of her catchiest choruses yet.

It's a radio-friendly affair, but it's still Lana doing what Lana does best—brooding, moody music that you can sway to.Confusion

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