Best Songs of the Week

These songs are unmissable.

Best Songs of the Week October 21 2016
P&P Original
Best Songs of the Week October 21 2016

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 rounded up the best songs from the past week. Here are the songs you can't afford to skip, in no particular order.

D.R.A.M. ft. Young Thug - "Misunderstood"

D.R.A.M.   Pub Photo 1   Faye Webster

Sometimes, when you see two artists on a song together, you know exactly what you're going to get. Not with D.R.A.M. and Young Thug. They're two of the most versatile artists in music right now, and they're both full of surprises.


Even knowing that going into this, "Misunderstood" manages to be a completely unorthodox and unexpected joint effort. It's an adrenaline-inducing anthem that could be the soundtrack to the next Rocky pre-fight montage, and while it's probably not the radio smash that both of these artists are capable of, it's an awesome song and an early favorite from D.R.A.M.'s debut album.

embed.spotify.com

2 Chainz ft. Quavo & Gucci Mane - "Good Drank"

Mike Dean makes this look easy. The production on "Good Drank" is little more than a two-bar piano loop and some atmospheric strings, but Dean knew that's all he needed—2 Chainz, Quavo, and Gucci would do the rest. 

Gucci is especially sharp on this one, laying out some extended Kevin Durant rhymes after Quavo comes in with yet another addictive hook. And let's not sleep on 2 Chainz—dude is quietly putting together an incredible year of features and solo work, and Atlanta just keeps on winning. "Good Drank" is off 2 Chainz's upcoming Hibachi For Lunch.—Graham Corrigan

w.soundcloud.com

Saba ft. Noname - "Church / Liquor Store"

saba chicago rap

“Friendship is underrated, in hip-hop especially, but it’s changing the world right now via Chicago music,” Saba told us when talking about the magical process of working with Noname on her Telefone album

On "Church / Liquor Store," he reconnects with Noname and producer Cam O'bi for a powerful piece of art that tackles the harsh realities of life in Chicago. The smooth, warm production gives few hints as to just how dark the lyrics get, as Saba references everything from police brutality to Lupe Fiasco, while Noname takes aim at consumerism and gentrification.

Saba's Bucket List Project is out October 27.—Alex Gardner

w.soundcloud.com

Lance Skiiiwalker - "Lover's Lane"

lance skiiiwalker attraction

When Lance Skiiiwalker first introduced himself earlier this year, there was no doubting that TDE's newest signee was a bit weird. However, his weirdness only made his talent that much more intriguing. The release of his strange videos paired with really great production and a smooth voice to match make Lance Skiiiwalker a completely unique find. 

On his recently released debut album, Introverted Intuition, Skiiiwalker puts the versatility of his sound on full display. One of the standouts, "Lover's Lane," offers up a deep groove that blends influences of hip-hop, classical, funk, and soul. The production of the track is certainly strong enough to stand on its own, but Skiiiwalker's enticing vocals complete the package to create a track that is sure to draw the attention of new listeners near and far.—Adrienne Black

embed.spotify.com

Jon Waltz - "Riot"

Jon Waltz Instagram

I first heard Jon Waltz in 2013. He was just 17 years old at the time, and the song was called "Bang." It was a little rough around the edges, but it was clear that this was a gifted young artist with an ear for great melody and songwriting. Over the next three years, I listened as Jon tried new things, experimented with a more accessible pop direction, and polished the rough spots. But after several other releases, I kept going back to "Bang." I accepted that maybe that would remain my favorite Jon Waltz song.

This week, Jon dropped "Riot." Now I've got a new favorite Jon Waltz song.—Jacob Moore

w.soundcloud.com

Boogie - "Still Thirsty"

Boogie 'Thirst 48 Part II.'

Another Boogie project, another incredible opening track. Carrying on where he left off with The Reach and Thirst 48, the Compton rapper with the razor sharp tongue is back with a new project and lots more deeply personal, sometimes darkly humorous bars about life in his city.

As on Thirst 48 standout "Bitter Raps," Boogie is totally at home over a dreamy beat on "Still Thirsty." He's one of the West Coast's best and most versatile rappers, and the Thirst 48 Pt. II project is just another reminder.—Alex Gardner

w.soundcloud.com

Leisure - "Know You Better"

leisure

More delicious sounds from New Zealand's LEISURE this week—"Know You Better" is the second single off their self-titled debut album, which is out today. These guys have a formula that works—cooed vocals bounce off propulsive bass and drums, moving at a clip just steady enough to sway and smoke to—at the same time. Theirs is a casual cool, devoid of 808s and Auto-Tune but heavy on hypnotism. "Know You Better" is the kind of song you could play 20 times in a row and still come back to—spellbinding stuff.—Graham Corrigan

latest_stories_pigeons-and-planes