Welcome back to another edition of me telling you what music to listen to. There’s a lot this week, so I am not able to put it in one specific category. You can go to the Spotify premade playlists if you’re looking for that—but isn’t having something written by a human much nicer? IDK, call me old fashioned. Anyway, this week we have a diverse lineup of new music. We’ve got pregame bangers, pop-electronic crossovers, some moody R&B, and a f*ck you anthem or two. Take a listen to all the new music that came out recently, and be sure to follow the Betches Spotify New Music playlist, where you can listen to all these songs in one place.
“Wake Up In The Sky” by Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars & Kodak Black
Enjoy this brief period of bliss before this song is all over the radio and you want to rip off your ears every time you hear the introduction. In any case, this song is the banger we needed today. We, as a nation. God bless America.
“Cold Outside” by Moxie Raia
Okay, first of all. With a name of Moxie Raia, I’m instantly jealous—it’s so cool. Second of all, Moxie is gorgeous. THIRD OF ALL, she’s insanely talented. As I said previously about TroyBoi, smh. Some people really have it all. This song is smooth and jazzy and nice and poppy. It’s called “Cold Outside” but it will make you feel anything but.
“Better by Khalid
Praise Jesus, our underage Lord and Savior has released new music. Honestly at this point, Khalid could sing the sound the dial tone makes and I’d be like “damn, this sh*t bangs.” The vocals are slow but the percussion is heavy, meaning I f*ck with this song heavy. It will put you in your feels, but like, not all the way in there, which is my preferred state of being.
“Money” by The Orphan The Poet
I get major Good Charlotte vibes from this song. Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting to like this song, but I really dig the throwback feel. Also the central theme of all your friends having money is an extremely relatable sentiment.
“Be Somebody” by Steve Aoki, Nicky Romero, and Kiiara
Tbh, they had me at “Kiiara” with this song; Steve Aoki and Nicky Romero are bonuses as far as I’m concerned. First of all, these lyrics are my 2018 MOOD: “I don’t need you, cause I got me / I don’t need you to be somebody.” This is a pop-dance hit. It’s a good song to pregame to, but I kind of think this is a better driving song. If I was listening to this song on I-85, I would probably have much lower blood pressure.
“Canceled” by Bryson Tiller
My actual husband for real, Bryson Tiller, dropped another signature banger for side chicks everywhere. This is really just a classic track from Pen Griffey: prominent percussion, fast-paced verses interspersed with slow crooning, lyrics about being wronged romantically… I am HERE. FOR. IT.
“Hate You” by Kate Nash
Kate Nash is literally me right now. Like, this video, which just came out today, is basically the visual equivalent of me every time I tell my friends I’m going to burn a guy’s house down because he didn’t text me back. (Also she commits a murder in this video soooo….) This song is the angry pop anthem anyone who’s ever dealt with a man f*cking needs. Thank you, Kate. Thank you.
“Caught Up” by ALIUS and Un-Ti
I like the drop of this song a lot, and could imagine myself hearing it at a festival and being into is. ALIUS is a producer and songwriter based in Melbourne. This song combines pop and electronica for a summer jam that got released just a little too late for it to be an actual summer jam. Still, I enjoy the song. I guess I’ll have to save it for next year *glares angrily at the sky*
What up what up what up. I’m back with another list of songs you should be listening to. You will notice that I’m a little less lofty with the descriptions this time around, and that’s because I’ve got people to see, places to go, and new music to listen to. Follow the Betches New Music playlist on Spotify so you can listen to all these dope tracks in one place.
“Rumors (with Sofia Carson)” by R3HAB
*Ahem* first of all, if you missed Sofia Carson’s appearance on our Insta story during the VMAs, you f*cked up. It’s not really material to this list, but in any case, Sofia is providing the vocals on R3HAB’s newest track, “Rumors”. And like, damn. This girl has pipes. And this song is amazing. It’s got a syncopated melody that I just want to move to.
“Shoot” by Desiigner
THE PANDA IS BACK! Is anyone calling him The Panda, or am I just a loser? Probably the latter. Whatever. Anyway, this song is not quite as iconic as “Panda”, but it is still a bop. We’re shown a slightly different side of Desiigner—namely, a little more subdued (read: same ad libs, less yelling). I guarantee you’ll be rapping “Givenchy slippers on me” at all times. I predict sales of Givenchy slippers will spike. Put this on your pregame playlist and people will think you keep your ears to the streets.
“Gloe” by Kiiara
Our girl Kiiara is back with another pop hit that you’re going to bump when you’re trying to get over an ex (or a f*ckboy you never even dated, which kind of makes it worse). It’s kind of mellow to start off, so I would reserve this for afterparty or day drinking music.
“The 1” by Blackbear
YESSSSS another one of my R&B husbands! I love blackbear, even if I’m a bit afraid of him, because he seems like the type of guy to leak your nudes if you wrong him. Totally unsubstantiated statement, just the impression I get from songs like “Make Daddy Proud”. ANYWHOOO, that’s not to say I don’t love his music. Because I do love it. This one (pun not intended) is a little more upbeat-sounding and a little more pop-y than his usual stuff. Still good, though.
“Mixed by 40” by Pvrx
Yeah, I could not verbally pronounce this artist’s name if my life depended on it. The song came out a little bit ago, but the video is brand new. This song is like, a mild mood. I like it, but it’s not super hype. That said, it’s not like, sad, either. I’m having a hard time describing it, so listen to it. Also, Pvrx is endorsed by 40, Drake’s producer, so you know he’s going to blow soon enough.
“Chewing Gum” by Blood Orange, A$AP Rocky, and Project Pat
Holy sh*t, talk about a lineup. Blood Orange is severely underrated—all his music is a serious mood. And with a signature smooth-as-silk guest verse from A$AP Rocky and an appearance by the legendary Project Pat, this is a great new track.
“I Don’t” by ROZES
ROZES just dropped her new EP, entitled i don’t know where i’m going, but i’m on my way. “I Don’t”, one of the tracks off her EP, has a little bit of an island feel, making it a great song to close out the summer. Also, with lyrics like “I’d rather f*cking die than talk about us,” it is f*cking RELATABLE. Put this song on when you notice that guy who ghosted you keeps watching all your IG stories.
“Hold Out The Light (My Guy Mars Remix)” by Kai Exos
When I read Kai Exos described as a “Toronto based R&B artist, I was sold on that alone. The original “Hold Out The Light” is a robust R&B track, uplifting, with a beat reminiscent of a drumline, backup vocals that conjure up images of a gospel choir. The My Guy Mars Remix is a little more focused, I think, with a bassline and percussion that are more suited to a typical hip-hop/R&B track.
“Welcome To Rehab” by Amir Obe
Amir Obe is one of those artists that I’ve been watching for years, and I’m excited he’s released his new EP, Can’t Be a ___ Here: Chapter 1. I like “Welcome to Rehab” because it kind of reminds me of newer Kanye: heavy on the autotune, rock-inspired, but deeply personal lyrics. It’s not a party song, but I think you’ll like it (crossout) it’s sweet.
“The Return” by Logic
Some of you like Logic, I’m guessing, right? Well, he dropped a new song today called “The Return”. I actually like this one better than most of his new stuff, because it feels like Old Logic. Very apt, considering the title.
