Best Songs of the Month (Jan 2017)

Musically, we've had a great start to 2017.

P&P Original
Best Songs of the Month Jan 2017

With so much good music steadily coming through, it's easy to miss some of the best. To help prevent this, we've rounded up the best songs from the past month. Here are the songs you can't afford to skip, in no particular order.

Syd - "Body"

Syd

When I first heard The Internet's "Fastlane," there was something enticing about Syd's vocal—that raw emotion in her phrasing and flow consumed me. I never became the biggest fan of The Internet, but Syd's truly been on a tear, with her new solo material from forthcoming album Fin really highlighting just how necessary she is. There are people who like being thrown into that bar'd up zone that The Weeknd occupies; I don't know what you need to be on to properly vibe out to Syd, but I'm guessing a couple of Jack and Cokes...maybe some bottles of red wine? Whatever it is, Syd's got the sensual turn up on lock.—khal

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Migos - "T-Shirt"

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While most heads have spent the last few weeks going ballistic over Migos' "Bad & Boujee" (for good reason), that song is legit two minutes too long for my liking (sorry, Vert). "T-Shirt," however, with its haunting melody and booming bass is just perfect. Sure, they are still talking about moving weight and that street life, but their unique flow gives the track a different feel.

The "mama" adlib still gets me as well; mixed with the ominous loop over that beat, it's making some of those boasts hit home a bit more. Also, not too many rappers would put on this much fur and get this turnt in the frozen tundra like Migos do in the video. Some people wrote them off as one-hit wonders after "Versace," but "T-Shirt" is proof positive of just how refreshing their sound is right now.—khal

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Jessie Reyez - “Shutter Island”

jessie reyez

Whenever an artist has a debut song as strong as Jessie Reyez' "Figures," there's a tendency to hold your breath and hope it wasn't a fluke. In this case, it turns out that fear was unwarranted. Reyez is special. With the release of her follow-up "Shutter Island,” the Toronto singer proves there’s plenty more where that came from.

Opening in the same stripped-back manner as her debut, “Shutter Island” eventually breaks out into powerful, unrestrained emotion as the song builds. Mirroring the insane reality of a toxic relationship gone south, gritty electronic production thunders under her grief-stricken vocals as she boasts "my straightjacket's custom-made, though." It’s an undeniably bold hook that speaks to the fearless mentality of a gifted young songwriter. We can’t wait to hear what’s next.—Eric Skelton

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Joey Badass - "Land of the Free"

Joey Badass

Trying times call for confident artists, and Joey Badass is fully up to the challenge. "Land of the Free" is the first song off his sophomore album AABA, and the first single we've heard since last year's smash hit "Devastated." The content is more somber here—this is a protest song against racist American institutions old and new, from the prison systems to the current ruling regime. "300-plus years of them cold shoulders / Yet 300 million of us still got no focus," Joey raps. "Sorry America but I will not be your soldier / Obama just wasn't enough—I need some more closure / And Donald Trump is not equipped to take this country over."

It's a message we need to remember, but Joey's impeccable flow and the dreamy, misty-eyed production make the medicine go down easy.—Graham Corrigan

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Father John Misty - "Pure Comedy"

Father John Misty press

There's no contesting it—Father John Misty is definitely one of the best songwriters around, and he proved it time and again on 2015's I Love You, Honeybear. Beyond his unparalleled abilities to weave an alluring narrative, though, what makes Josh Tillman so fascinating is his scathing commentary on America. Like "Bored in the USA" from Honeybear, "Pure Comedy" laments the flaws within our society, from gender inequality to other conservative beliefs. His analogies read as hyperbolic and his accompanying visuals are bizarre and jarring, all of which seem completely fitting considering the strangeness that is 2017.—Joyce

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Dave x J Hus - "Samantha"

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"Mix the gentleman with gangster," British rapper Dave croons at the beginning of "Samantha," his smooth new track with fellow U.K. talent J Hus. We know Dave best for his razor-sharp rapping on tracks like "Six Paths" and "Thiago Silva," but he's been exploring a more melodic approach on tracks like "Wanna Know" (which Drake subsequently remixed), and we get both sides of his sound on this one.

J Hus is an equally versatile artist, delivering a very British product of influences like afrobeats, grime, and rap, and his personality shines through even on a slower track like "Samantha." Will we get more Dave x J Hus music? Who knows, but a joint EP could be amazing.

Oh, and shout out Dave's pink on pink Stone Island combo. Jheeze.—Alex Gardner

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Snny - "Young Boy"

Snny

"Young Boy" is the debut single from New York-based artist Snny, and it's one of my most played songs of the month. That might be partly because it's only two minutes long and every time I play it I end up running it back, but it's also because it's such a catchy song. It's a nostalgic jam that feels like summer, and it's an awesome introduction to Snny.—Jacob Moore

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Sonder - "Searchin"

Sonder Press

After quietly sharing music on their SoundCloud page over the summer, newly formed trio Sonder—made up of producers Atu and Dpat, and vocalist Brent Faiyaz—gave us a proper introduction to their sound with "Too Fast." Months later, they return with the official release of their first EP together, simply titled Into. The 7-track EP aims to dive deep into the emotions of each listener with soothing rhythms and even smoother vocals.

One of the standout tracks of the EP is "Searchin." At first listen, the record certainly feels reminiscent of Ginuwine's Timbaland-produced hit "So Anxious." However, Sonder manage to bring back a nostalgic R&B sound without making it feel dated. Instead, their music works to fill a void in R&B that has been felt for a while. Atu and Dpat team up to create production that fuses dreamy harps with a booming bassline. Faiyaz completes the mood of the record with his passionate vocals and lyrics. As a result, "Searchin," as well as their Into EP in total, turns out to be a much needed breath of fresh air.—Adrienne Black

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Corbin - "Destrooy"

Corbin

It's been a long time since we last heard from Corbin, who briefly appeared sometime last year for a rare live appearance teasing upcoming material. Quietly uploaded to SoundCloud, Corbin's "Destrooy" is an understated return. This isn't a criticism of the almost ambient new track, but it does offer a chance to discuss how little Corbin seems interested in people's expectations. Avoiding the thudding, sleepy production of his most well-known output, "Destrooy" focuses on something a little different, and it's all the more welcome a return because of it.

Corbin has already proved himself as a capable songwriter, but "Destrooy" plays with preconceptions a little more. Some might say that it sounds like an unfinished Spooky Black song, but really the only thing the track asks for is patience.—Joe Price

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Daye Jack ft. DP & Denzel Curry - "Raw (Remix)"

Daye Jack dropped a bunch of smooth and soulful pop tracks in 2015 and 2016, but it's damn good to hear him rapping too. "Raw" was already a hard track, but with Denzel Curry and DP on the track, you already know this one goes crazy. It's good to hear new music from DP, consistently one of the hardest out when he's dropping music, and Denzel goes off here too. Raw.—Alex Gardner

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Thundercat ft. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins - "Show You The Way"

Thundercat Album art.

Not too long ago, I was at home listening to Pandora. My better half hooked up a fire "'80s R&B" radio station, and I realized that that might be my go-to era and sound for music. Something about the passion-drenched vocals mixed with funkier basslines and crispy drums gets me moving. That's also why I fuck with Thundercat; he's so stuck in that zone, to the point that "Show You The Way," his new single from his upcoming album Drunk, feels like it's a previously-unreleased gem straight from the '80s. This man even got the legendary Michael McDonald to coast on this? Somehow he made Kenny Loggins in 2017 be a thing I can't chuckle at? While I'm waiting for R&B to feel like that again, I'll gladly journey back to my youth on some Thundercat loveliness.—khal

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MarcLo - "SWNGN"

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I have a loose theory about samples and interpolations that I call the 15-20 year rule. Roughly speaking, that range of years marks a kind of sweet spot for samples—fresh enough that they're recognizable if they come from big hit songs, but not so recent that they're instantly identifiable to the casual listener. It's obviously not a rigid truth about samples, but one that starts to reveal itself loosely when you look for examples (the song that inspired this theory: Ariana Grande's "The Way," which came out in 2013 and sampled Big Pun's "Still Not A Player," released in 1998, 19 years after the release of its sample source, Brenda Russell's "A Little Bit of Love").

Newcomer MarcLo's "Swngn" reinterprets Montell Jordan's 1995 megahit "This Is How We Do It" (which samples Slick Rick's iconic 1989 hit "Children's Story," which in turn samples jazz pianist Bob James' 1974 song "Nautilus," not itself a hit, but one of the most recognizably sampled songs of all time nonetheless). Though it falls just a hair outside of the 20 year boundary, "Swngn" shows the power of recasting the familiar in new form, playing with the spirit, melody, and lyrics of "This Is How We Do It" to create something that's irresistibly fun and smartly nostalgic. It's an homage that uses the past as funky fuel for the present.—Jon Tanners

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SZA - "Drew Barrymore"

sza

For a minute there, it looked like we wouldn't be getting any more music from SZA. In a now deleted October tweet she said she was done with music back, but in the past week she played new music in New York, including a collaboration with Travis Scott. On her new song "Drew Barrymore," the TDE singer is as personal and honest as we've come to expect, but this might also be her rawest song to date, with more of an edge to the production and vocal delivery than the smooth soul and R&B of Z.—Alex Gardner

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Elliott Smith - “I Figured You Out”

Elliott Smith Press Photo

Hearing posthumous releases from our favorite artists is always a thrill, but it’s often clear why they chose not to release the music in the first place. Things often sound incomplete, rushed, or just not up to their usual standards. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Elliott Smith’s freshly unearthed "I Figured You Out."

Originally recorded as a demo for folk singer Mary Lou Lord, the song succeeds on the strength of the same thoughtful songwriting and pleasant melodies that run through the core of his finest work. Not bad for "a stupid pop song [he] wrote in about a minute."Eric Skelton

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Maggie Rogers - "On & Off"

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Over the summer Maggie Rogers made a brilliant first impression with her single "Alaska," a feel-good record that provided an upbeat twist on a folk foundation. In the time since then, Rogers has continued to impress and gain more attention for herself with each release.

As she prepares for the release of her debut EP Now That The Light Is Fading, Rogers kicks off the new year with new single "On + Off." Her sweet voice is transformative enough to sound both soothing and bold. Rogers has a unique sound that feels impossible to properly compare, and that detail is precisely what continues to make her so intriguing. By slowing the tempo down just a bit from her breakout single, "On + Off" provides the space for the feeling of Rogers' lyrics to take center stage and showcases more of her versatile talent.—Adrienne Black

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Mount Eerie - "Real Death"

Mount Eerie

To say that Phil Elverum's new song as Mount Eerie is heavy is an understatement. Last year his wife Geneviève died after a battle with cancer, leaving Eleverum a single father. It's not an easy thing to put grief into words, and "Real Death" is a testament to this. It's anxious, fragile, and self-critical. A proclamation of love and a profound statement on loss, it's one of the most powerful things Elverum has ever released. 

The shock of losing someone is surreal. Phil, scattering his thoughts across the song as he admits he feels as if his mind and body is failing, doesn't just describe the feeling. He's tackling death head-on, mourning through confrontation of life's terrifying end. Life continues after death, and that's the hardest thing to stomach.—Joe Price

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Elujay - "Golden"

For the past few days, everything has felt rather gloomy and draining. It seems appropriate that Elujay's new single is titled "Golden" because hearing this felt equivalent to experiencing the first warm rays of sunshine after days of non-stop rain. Being from California, Elujay's music usually has this sort of upbeat spirit to it but he managed to unlock a new level of feel-good on this one.

When life is getting you down, sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do is just dance freely. The production provided by Julia Lewis, Chris McClenney, and Kev Choice creates a strong groove that will inevitably inspire some kinetic moves. "Golden" is the kind of song you turn on every time you need a boost. Add it to your playlist, share it to with a friend, and spread the good energy.—Adrienne Black

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Sampha - "(No One Knows Me) Like My Piano"

sampha process

Sampha fans have been waiting and waiting for him to finally release his debut album. Though the wait has been long, each time he shares a new single it becomes clear that perfection just cannot be rushed, and that detail works to the ease the pain of the wait. Thankfully, his February 3 release date for Process is rapidly approaching, and Sampha has returned with his latest and most beautiful single yet.

The new record, "(No One Knows Me) Like My Piano" is as heartbreaking as it is comforting. This song about the piano in his mother's home was written just months before her passing and every ounce of emotion poured into it can be felt intensely. Sampha has always had a passionate voice but he taps into something deeper here.

"(No One Knows Me) Like My Piano" is the sort of song that is guaranteed to make you cry, sob even, but it's too beautiful to take off repeat. As he reflects on fond memories of his late mother, Sampha creates an intimate moment that is somber, but sweet—a balance that is difficult to achieve.—Adrienne Black

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Sjowgren - "Now & Then"

sjowgren seventeen

I've been waiting on new sjowgren since the Bay Area group dropped the undeniable "seventeen" over a year ago. Honestly, "now & then" started kind of slow for my taste on first listen. There's nothing super unique about it, and it takes almost a minute before the chorus comes in. But fuck, when that chorus kicks in, it is so satisfying.

It will be interesting to see how sjowgren's career plays out—most emerging acts have very distinct styles, whether it's in the production, vocals, or the overall vibe tied to what they're doing. It's usually pretty easy to spend a few minutes with an act and get a feel for where they fit. That's not there with sjowgren. The music is kind of traditional, rock-tinged pop, but what they're lacking in an easily identifiable "brand," they're making up for with absolutely excellent songwriting. In the long run, that's going to pay off.—Jacob Moore

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The xx - "Say Something Loving"

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The xx aren't known for an especially uplifting sound, but it's clear with their new album they're setting out to change that. Between their first single, "On Hold," and their latest, "Say Something Loving," the band is shifting directions from a more somber feel to a more celebratory one, and it's working

On "Say Something Loving," they maintain that sparse, atmospheric sound they're known for but they bump up the energy, with both the production and Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft's vocal interplay, more upbeat than ever. It's a track that proves The xx are capable of a greater range musically than what we've heard in the past, and their just-released album may be their most exciting yet.—Katie K.

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SOHN - "Hard Liquor"

SOHN press photo

SOHN hadn't released an album since 2014's Tremors, but he's been busy. Collaborations with BANKS and incredible singles like "Signal" have cemented the Vienna-based artist's reputation as a master of his electronic craft, and he started 2017 on a high note with a new album—Rennen dropped January 13.

"Hard Liquor" was the last single to drop, and its sweeping, magisterial crescendo will send shivers up your spine. For all his collaborative powers, "Hard Liquor" proves SOHN's still best when left to his own devices. The video's not half-bad, either.—Graham Corrigan

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Jon Waltz - "Plastic Beach"

First of all, I'm definitely biased. We premiered this on our first ever Pigeons & Planes takeover on Beats 1, but it sounded so fucking good. Jon Waltz is on a new level, and you don't normally recognize that with rising artists. Normally, it's a slow progression of small steps over time that you can only truly identify in retrospect. But in October of 2016, the young Memphis-based artist put out "Riot," and it was such a clear moment of stepping it up, and one of our favorite songs of the year. "Plastic Beach" just solidifies it—while not as immediate as "Riot," the dreamy "Plastic Beach" is more ambitious, and it fits perfectly with this new phase of Jon Waltz finding his voice.

All of this is not to say that Jon Waltz's early music wasn't good. He's always shown potential and we've been saying "watch out for Jon Waltz" for years now. Now it feels like the time when we're just trying to resist saying "I told you so."—Jacob Moore

Listen back to our Beats 1 show in full here.

Jazz Cartier - "Tempted"

Jazz Cartier on Instagram

Before 2016 came to a final close, Jazz Cartier delivered a slow, haunting track titled "Pree." Just days into the new year, the Toronto rapper returned with a brand new single, "Tempted," that veers away from the previous track and turns the energy all the way up.

The bouncy production from Lantz and T-Minus creates an instant feel-good vibe that's hard to resist and easy to dance to. "Tempted" offers a preview of Cartier's forthcoming project Fleurever. His last album Hotel Paranoia was one of the best albums of 2016, and we have faith that Cartier is gearing up for another great year.—Adrienne Black

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