Best Songs of the Week

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

After the powerful "This Is America" and its gripping video, Childish Gambino continues to confound expectations and deliver new takes on pop music with the one-two punch of "Summertime Magic" and "Feels Like Summer." The former is upbeat, a bright, funky song with steel drums and lighthearted lyrics, while the latter is hazier, the soundtrack to the sun setting at the end of a long, hot day. Neither hit as hard or are as singular as "This Is America," but both are a reminder of Donald Glover's uncanny ability to successfully shift between sounds and approaches, not to mention mediums of entertainment.—Alex Gardner

The story behdind Childish Gambino's powerful "This Is America" dance choreography.

Mac Miller has been candid in the past about the toll of a rapper's lifestyle, which is why it's heartening to hear that the first single off his upcoming record Swimming is a track like "Self Care." Showcasing his considerable ability as a singer and MC, the song is candid and self-critical, like the best work on GO:OD AM and The Divine Feminine. 

Mac takes stock of his life and seems to reference his DUI this May ("That Mercedes drove me crazy, I was speedin' / Somebody save me from myself"). As was the case with his recent standout "Small World," Mac and producers DJ Dahi, ID Labs, and Nostxlgic execute a perfect beat switch where the song really blossoms, unfurling at an unhurried pace, even as Mac muses on oblivion. His candor signals that we're surely in for a fascinating trip through his psyche on Swimming.—Grant Rindner

With The Internet's new album Hive Mind just one week away, the band returns today with another preview. So far their singles have featured lots of the signature funk that fans have come to love them for, and their newest single "La Di Da" delivers once again. Syd and Steve trading lead vocals becomes equally as important as each intricate piece of instrumentation as neither overshadows the other. The results are a funky dance break that has us even more excited to finally hear Hive Mind in full.—Adrienne Black

It's been a tumultuous time for Brockhampton, but they've somehow managed to bounce back far quicker than expected. With their fourth studio album on the way, they've proved with their new song "1999 Wildfire" that regardless of the events that led to them losing a member, they're still as strong as they ever were. The hook, provided by Kevin Abstract, cements the gorgeous song, but standout verses from both Bearface and Matt Champion make it. 

It might not have been the best situation for them, but they're certainly not letting it get in the way of becoming the biggest boyband in the world.—Joe Price

Juice WRLD and Lil Uzi Vert make perfect sense together. Juice WRLD is one of the fastest rising new artists we've seen break through in years, and fresh off the release of his Goodbye & Good Riddance project, the genre-defying artist keeps things moving with an Uzi collaboration on "Wasted." The song has been quietly added to the album on streaming platforms, and judging by his hour-long freestyle, Juice WRLD has plenty more song ideas in his head.—Jacob Moore

Read our interview with Juice WRLD here.

Even if the idea for the production hadn't hatched on an episode of P&P's Delete Your History, we'd still think this long-awaited "Fortnite" single is awesome. Both Murda Beatz and Fortnite have been dominating their respective fields, so it's only right that the multi-platinum producer was the one to sample the game's theme song. The record features Yung Bans, Ski Mask The Slump God, and Lil Yachty, three of the biggest Fortnite fans in rap and also three of music's hottest rising stars. The song is fun, catchy, and another example of how unpredictable and limitless hip-hop has become.—Eric Isom

Gabriel Black is a mysterious artist in that he hasn't shown his face yet, but many of his most dedicated fans feel like they know him on a personal level. They might have even texted with him, since he's shared a phone number for anyone to reach out to him directly. Through his animated vlogs and honest interviews, Gabriel has shared his ups and downs, confronting topics like depression and anxiety and in doing so forging a deep connection with many listeners.

Inspired by pop-punk as much as hip-hop, Gabriel has a fluid, modern sound, and his new single "Light My Fire" shows off his potential for making left-field anthems. His debut EP beautiful life is set to be released on August 10.—Alex Gardner

Get to know Gabriel Black with our 2017 profile here.

The video for Denzel Curry's "Clout Cobain" should probably come with a trigger warning for those of us traumatized by clowns. But it's an important watch, a black and white nightmare set in a circus tent that doubles as the music industry. Denzel is the main event, dancing and posing in ghoulish makeup at the behest of a grotesque ringmaster.

The frenzied camerawork and rabid crowd are a chilling accompaniment to Curry's lyrics, which are dotted with "suicidal doors" and pleas for help. Growling bass and eerie chimes set the scene, In an accompanying statement, Curry explains the video's imagery: "This cyclical modern day minstrel show does end lives prematurely and ultimately, it's the artists who can break the influence of the industry's ringmasters." His forthcoming album TA13OO arrives at the end of July. I don't know if we're ready.—Graham Corrigan

Steven Moses (formerly just Moses) was one of our best new artists of the month, and and has all of the tools he needs to thrive in 2018's music scene. "Love Me" and "Hotboy" struck a chord and left fans eager to see what a full body of work would sound like, and today we have an answer. The Pennsylvania rapper dropped off his debut Love Me // Leave Me and "Qualitestaholic" is an early favorite from the eight-track release.

The Blake-produced record captures the blend of angst, rebellion, and drug influence that Moses embodies and puts his solid songwriting on full display. In an era where everyone wants to be an emo, rebellious druggie, Moses is able to thrive by channeling his real life struggles and put it all in the music.—Eric Isom

Brooklyn rapper Rockstar Payso started rapping at a very young age, inspired by artists like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, and JAY-Z. It's clear from his last few releases that he isn't trying to mimic those artists who first got him into hip-hop. "Just because I’m from New York, it doesn’t mean I have to be a boom-bap type of person," he told us in a recent interview. "Things change, and times change, but I still pay homage to all the dope emcees." His latest track, the self-titled "Rockstar Payso," is an adrenaline-inducing turn-up of a song with highs and lows that strike at all the right times, and Payso is shaping up to be one of the most exciting NYC rappers ushering in the city's diverse new sound.—Jacob Moore

Read our interview with Rockstar Payso.

Jaden Smith is constantly evolving, and his latest offering, SYRE: The Electric Album, ushers in a fascinating new stage of his artistry. The unconventional album, which Jaden released via Instagram earlier this week, features reworked versions of five songs from his November release SYRE. The new recordings are otherworldly and emotive, and SYRE: The Electric Album closes with the revamped version of “Icon,” Jaden’s most popular track to date.

The high-energy hit single is transformed into a sprawling, atmospheric reflection on Jaden’s place in the world, youth, and the future of humanity. The new instrumental arrangement is driven by daintily strummed guitars, stacked harmonies, and rich, slow-moving bass. Jaden coolly slips into relaxed cadences and flows, signaling a stark change from the breakneck pace of his delivery on the original version. Both versions of "Icon" are compelling works of art for different reasons, and with the newly released electric version, Jaden displays his ability to adapt multiple musical styles with finesse and creativity.—Charlotte Freitag

 YBN Cordae is best known for his response to J. Cole's "1985," which earned him a reputation as the most traditionally lyrical member of the YBN crew. But his latest single proves the Maryland rapper can get just as raucous as Nahmir and Almighty Jay. "Kung Fu" is a bruiser of a song, elevated by Cordae's deep grab bag of flows.

Produced by versatile duo Take a Daytrip (Sheck Wes' "Mo Bamba," Juice WRLD's "Legends") the instrumental is guttural and menacing, short-circuiting on the hook and allowing Cordae's nimble flow to shine. "Kung Fu" is an anthem that's likely to have a high approval rating as a technical showcase, even among old heads who still balk when they hear a Balmain reference. In an interview with P&P, Cordae rejected the backpack rapper label some had pinned on him after his first few releases. "We gon' see who's backpack rap after these next couple joints though," he said. "Kung Fu" certainly proves that the young MC's conscious streak doesn't come at the expense of a good turn-up.—Grant Rindner 

Read our interview with YBN Cordae here.

Channel Tres' "Controller" is a quietly mesmerizing hit, a snake-charmer of a song that has been slowly making its way around the world (it's currently charting in Australia). The slow build is becoming something of a specialty for the Godmode signee, a skill evidenced most recently by today's release, "Jet Black."

The Compton artist starts off with his signature deadpan delivery, churning out a verse over thumping bass before adding shakers, a little synth, and opening up those filters. It's a masterful lesson in minimalism, but you'll still be bobbing your head by song's end. When we spoke with Channel Tres back in April, he promised "more music and good times." Thus far I have been unable to find the lie.—Graham Corrigan