Best Songs of the Week

Mizan has a lot on her mind, namely the seven billion people on this earth and the ways in which we are all connected. "I’m the center of my world but seven billion have a say / seven billion have a heart, seven billion find a way," she sings over simple keys, her world-weary vocals hinting at life experience beyond her 26 years. The song is at once deeply personal and totally universal, a rare feat for any artist.

"7 Billion" comes Mizan's Dark Blue EP, out via Terrible Records in November. Find three songs from the EP on her SoundCloud here.—Constant Gardner

It's been a weird time, weather-wise, in the US of A. Sure, the calendar says "fall," but there's not enough chill in the air for burly bastards like me to pull out proper jackets and sink into their warmth. Tracks like "Love For That" are perfect for this time of year. It's crisp and beautiful, with a mid-tempo rhythm that feels familiar and surrounds itself with some memorable melodies and vocals from Shura (that seem to be playing off of Janet Jackson bangers gone by).

It's a track I want to play on repeat while poring through a chest of old sweaters. Something to really sit on a porch and smoke Black & Milds to while reminiscing on the days where we didn't have to worry about bills or blurbs. Cool and care-free.—khal

It's hilarious to hear people get so excited for Jersey club while Nadus is seriously over it and putting his own hybrid, futuristic spin on the sound. While tracks like "Bust It Open"—which is taken from his forthcoming Broke City deluxe release—share a tempo with the sound that made him and a number of Jersey producers known (along with some sexually-charged chants), "Bust It Open" is just as big on the bright, emotive synths and fuel-injected 808s.

While most Jersey club plays on the faster tempo, there's enough of a slower rock in tracks like "Bust It Open" for you to get your inebriated turn up on, while Nadus slips just enough next level vibes to give you a glimpse of the forthcoming phase of whatever the hell we want to call what he's making in the next few years.—khal

Taken from French producer Stwo's upcoming EP Distant, "Haunted" provides a perfect bed of sound for Sevdaliza's captivating vocals. Combining the two distinct talents of both involved, "Haunted" is one of those collaborative tracks that allows both artists to shine, without ever taking away from what they each accomplish. Here's hoping these two link up again in the future for another, on an equally smooth track making the most of their respective talents.—Joe Price

Sevdaliza plays No Ceilings London on Monday October 19 with Bonkaz, Leks Rivers, and JD. Reid. Buy tickets here

Tyler had been quiet... too quiet... when it came to his recent exile from the U.K. and Australia. There were a few pissed off tweets, but nothing on the level of fury that the freedom-hating decision deserved. "Fuck It" is a start—it's a stark departure from Cherry Bomb, and is much more in line with his OFWGKTA days, which were what got him in trouble with authorities in the first place.

I missed this Tyler, the one full of pent-up rage and unabashed frustration. It's just too bad it took such an extreme (and delayed) reaction to bring him back. I'm not saying this is Tyler being himself—we can never be the people we were—but he does sound natural over these types of beats. He's expressing himself with a raw, unrestrained delivery that still has room for brutal lines that ooze cool ("Tell Australia I'm sneaking in with a mic in my damn hand"). These kind of cutting punchlines still come easy to Tyler, and that's comfort enough for the time being.—Graham Corrigan

Ty Dolla $ign is about to drop an album, but this week he came through with a surprise mixtape that provides a quick fix for anyone in need of raunchy R&B. Ty's warm croak and ear for melodies makes everything enjoyable to listen to, even when that's crooning about fingering a girl with no panties on the dancefloor or sticking his thumb in your girl's asshole (yup).

Anyway, the tape is a whole lot of x-rated, smoked-out fun, but one of the standouts is "Violent," with Dolla $ign taking on a trap beat from producers du jour DJ Spinz and Southside. If these are the throwaways, I'm definitely ready to get Free TC in rotation.—Constant Gardner

A couple of weeks ago I saw Demo Taped live for the first time, and I was surprised. First of all, he's a confident, magnetic performer—not what I expected from a 17-year-old who describes himself as anxious and is open about his struggle with depression. I expected an artist unsure of himself, but he's a natural performer, and his love for what he's doing is on full display.

I was also surprised by how much of his set was purely instrumental. Behind the boards, Demo Taped is a production prodigy, but my favorite Demo Taped songs are still the ones with an emphasis on vocals: "Not Enough," "I Luv U," and now this one, "Game On." Demo Taped could easily be a behind-the-scenes producer, but "Game On" is another example of how much more he can do. This young artist may be a production wizard, but it's his warm melodies, moving lyrics, and signature vocal sound that make him one of my favorite new artists.—Confusion