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

Time can do so much. After all the recent discussion around Lil Yachty's place in hip-hop, "Bentley Coupe" serves as the final blow to really nail home Yachty's outlook on this: he doesn't care. Some people like him, some don't, but that's not a concern.

It's perfect that Gucci Mane is on this song, because once upon a time Gucci was in a similar position. He disregarded the traditional rap styles of the past, and he won over new fans and haters in the process. But now, after over a decade in the game, Gucci is an almost universally accepted modern hip-hop legend, so it only makes sense that he'd join forces with the new poster boy for polarizing hip-hop.—Jacob Moore

HELLA’s Lewis Grant hasn’t quite found himself on “Lucid,” but that’s what makes it so interesting. The Hnrk and Dylan Brady-produced track is deliberately ambiguous, exploring the idea of exploring. So much happens in every moment we're alive, and Lewis Grant is more than aware of this on “Lucid,” somehow packing a lot of distinct movements into the track’s relatively short running time.

“Lucid” is further proof that answers are overrated, focusing on the immeasurable potential of questions instead.—Joe Price

Boogie season is approaching. The Compton MC's Thirst 48 Pt. II tape is coming October 14, just over two years after the first installment, the project that announced him as one of the most talented new rappers out. Whether he's spitting over subtle synth backdrops like "Bitter Raps" or more turned up beats like "Oh My" or this new song "No Way," Boogie doesn't disappoint.

The future is so bright for this guy, don't sleep.—Alex Gardner

FLACO is on fire. After getting us hooked on "New Things," the Indiana rapper dropped his impressive mixtape GUNSFORGIRLS. He followed that with "LEAGUE SHIT," and now he's back again with "QUICK." The Flame Alkahest-produced track is banging, and once again FLACO demonstrates how effortlessly he can switch up his flow and glide over a beat.

“Look at my stance, look at my glance, look at my Vans bitch / Look at my pants, look at my fans, turn into Stans bitch.” If FLACO keeps dropping heat like this, the Stans will arrive in no time.—John Walaszek

This hidden track off Shura's Nothing's Real arrives at the tail end of the driving album closer "White Light." "311215" switches things up completely—the quivering piano ballad ruminates on the inevitability of her parents' death, a different kind of white light. The song is punctuated by childhood voice memos and home videos that play out in the accompanying video. Shura's voice is barely there, afraid to voice the truths but determined to face them down.

There's a soft wave of optimism towards the song's close—“I chose to finish my record with this song in part because it deals with endings," Shura said of the song. "For me it also marks the start of another journey." It's understated, crystalline, and another example of Shura's impressive songwriting range.—Graham Corrigan

One of the easiest and most effective ways to connect with people from around the world is through music. A bond over similar tastes in artists and sounds can make any cultural or language barrier feel insignificant. As a Bengali-born and Queens-raised man, Anik Khan takes it upon himself to bridge the cultural gap and bring different audiences together to see that they have much more in common than they may think.

On Khan's latest single "Cleopatra," he and co-producer MeLo-X worked together to create a song that can lure the ears of listens from Queens to Bengali, and everywhere in between. The sample from a Bollywood film pairs well with his naturally melodic voice and layers seamlessly over the bouncy bassline. The blend of the two makes "Cleopatra" feels not just catchy, but natural—and like something that should happen more often.—Adrienne Black

I've been listening to a radio rip of this song for nearly two years now, and finally it's been officially released. OG grime producer and DJ Sir Spyro provides the monster beat and Bruckshot, Killa P, and Lady Chann all do their thing, making this one of the hardest tunes you'll hear this year.

Plus, Shout out Sir Spyro for putting effort into his videos. "Side By Side" was awesome and the first person view and effects used in "Topper Top" makes this one a lot of fun to watch too.—Alex Gardner

Alicia Keys' next musical chapter is gaining steam. After putting her own spin on Desiigner's "Timmy Turner" ("Tinatinatina Turner"), Keys returned this week with some original music. "Blended Family" contains a silky verse from ASAP Rocky, but Keys carries the track with a bittersweet hook about blended families and the power of selfless love.—Graham Corrigan