Best Songs of the Week (June 17th, 2016)

The timing of this one sucks, because as we all celebrate Gucci Mane's freedom, rising 19-year-old Florida rapper Kodak Black is locked up. The bright side is that one of Gucci's first features since his release is on "Vibin in This Bih," a new song from Kodak's Lil Big Pac mixtape. This is more uptempo than we're used to hearing from Kodak, but his Florida drawl fits nicely with the faster paced beat. Gucci's had a long history of supporting budding talent, so hopefully Kodak gets out and he and Guwop link up again soon.—Jacob Moore

The past is no match for Maggie Rogers. “Alaska” sees the Maryland farm girl break free of lingering memories and share that feeling with a ravenous, fast-growing audience. She bridges the soulful overlaps of hiking and dancing to enter a place of peace, where the kindhearted are welcome to roam.

There's been a need for feel-good tunes lately, and Rogers delivered a hopeful song for the summer months to come. Meanwhile, Pharrell’s ear continues to prove itself time and time again.—Alex Siber

"It’s a reflection of myself. I can be a little all over the place so, it’s just me," OPAL told us, describing her genre hopping sound. The Virginia based artist, who has also lived in Chicago and L.A., spins a hypnotic web of repeated vocals and layered electronic production on "France," and the result is truly unique.

"France is kind of like a mind state, or mentality," OPAL explains. "It’s like a feeling. It’s symbol of a lot of different things—it’s a symbol of freedom, luxuries, mysteries."—Constant Gardner

After graduating high school and racking up over one million plays on "Location" in a month, Khalid could have easily relaxed and rode the wave of success through the summer. Instead, he turned around and delivered "Let's Go," and this track is easily one of my early favorites for the summer.

The pop-friendly production from Hiko Momoji & OZ helped the El Paso singer show that school was really the only thing holding him back from fully blossoming. The 18-year-old is showing no signs of letting up, and it should be exciting to see what he comes up with next.—Eric Isom

Bright colors abound in “Loser,” a crowning achievement for Illinois artist Frank Leone. His sing-song voice leads the way through a flower bed of romantic guitar notes and summer-baked chords—everything sounds blissful, but the words suggest otherwise.

“Loser” is a love story gone wrong, conflicted retrospection that finds Frank at odds with his past mistakes. He’s alone and hurting, yet she’s the one left alone in the cold. Conflict bubbles beneath the surface of the soundscape and angst simmers within a sweet vocal performance. The paradox makes for one helluva record.—Alex Siber

Late last year, London singer Azekel gave fans a preview of his forthcoming EP Raw, Vol.2 with the first single “The War Inside,” a slow-building track that gave way for Azekel’s soft vocals to take center stage. Now, a few months later he returns with the second single, “Linger.” This one is much different, veering away from where the last single left off.

There’s an instantly darker tone to “Linger” that feels slightly menacing, but Azekel lightens the mood with his breathy vocals. He's digging into a deeper groove, getting intimate with lyrics like, “Your touch still lingers on me.”

As the song builds, it's topped off when a rare guitar solo comes in. "Linger" is truly a beautiful song, and it makes the wait for Azekel's Raw, Vol.2 even more difficult.—Adrienne Black

Cousin Stizz is removing all doubts on whether or not he would be able to match the bar he set with his incredible debut project Suffolk County. Boston's Fresh Prince returned earlier this year with the Max B-influenced "Gain Green," but Stizz took things to another level this week on "Coulda Been."

The Tee-WaTT-produced record served as a chance for Stizz to sit back and reflect on all of his success from the past year, and acknowledge the different paths his life could have taken. Stizz never fails to acknowledge his blessings and show appreciation for all he's accomplished—"Coulda Been" is him putting it in song form.—Eric Isom

Some members of clipping. have been busy of late, winning Tony awards for their work in blockbuster musicals. But this week's Wriggle EP is definitive proof that the Los Angeles trio is just as insane and ferocious as ever.

The title track moves at a dizzying pace, layering heavy bass drums under feedback and a sample of sample what sounds like a devious dance instructor("WRIGGLE LIKE AN EEEEELL!!"). Daveed Diggs' rapping has never felt this fast, threatening, or thrilling, and Jonathan Snipes and William Hutson’s production is as jagged as ever.

Their third album is coming this fall, and "Wriggle" is reason enough to believe it will be incredible.—Graham Corrigan

Sometimes pop, as a genre, settles on that mainstream, cookie-cutter sound. Other times, pop rises to its own potential and reminds us how powerful good songs can be. Enter Skott's debut single "Porcelain." The track features her whimsical, hypnotic vocals over swelling, anthemic production—it's the perfect balance of edge and accessibility, and definitely worth paying attention to.—Katie K.

YG's Still Brazy album is out everywhere today, after streaming exclusively on Apple Music for the past few days. We're still getting into the Compton, California rapper's second album, but it's already sounding like an incredibly cohesive project, a strong addition to the contemporary West Coast canon.

Drake, Kamaiyah, Lil Wayne, Bricc Baby, and more feature on the album, but YG doesn't need any assists to shine. On "Gimmie Got Shot," for example, he flexes his storytelling side over a slapping DJ Swish beat. Get this album in rotation.—Constant Gardner

There are plenty of fantastic moments on Night Lovell's new album, Red Teenage Melody, but it's perhaps the opening track that leaves the biggest impression upon first listen. With its hypnotic Blvc Svnd production, "Boy Red" kicks things into fifth gear immediately with one hell of a hook.

There are stronger tracks on the project, sure, but there's something so instantly memorable about the way in which Lovell raps, "I got your euros in the stash," that just sticks. It's like a hurricane of a track that doesn't give enough time to prepare for its onslaught, leaving you both impressed and bewildered in equal measure.—Joe Price

It’s been a little while since we’ve received new music from London singer JONES, but thankfully she returned this week with a brand new track that made the wait feel worth it. Her latest single “Melt” is a sweet love song about truly being in the moment.

Whether you’ve really been in love or have had a memorable, short-lived summer fling that was dear to your heart, there’s something about this song that relates to both of these stories. The production and instrumentation for “Melt” work to match the warmth of JONES’ vocals just perfectly, and as a result, this new single feels good from beginning to end.—Adrienne Black