It’s the weekend. It’s lit.
Here’s what you should be bumping for the last weekend of July.
Arcade Fire – Everything Now
Arcade Fire have released their first album since 2013.
It’s a little more groovy and upbeat than their past work. It’s also way less impactful.
While Everything Now will not have the same massive critical acclaim and radio play as 2010’s The Suburbs, it’s a fine record, just not a special one.
The Alchemist, Budgie – The Good Book, Vol. 2
Yes, technically The Alchemist and Budgie released The Good Book, Vol. 2 last week but this my damn list I do what I want.
The Alchemist has been out in the hip-hop game for a minute, making soulful beats for over a decade. Now he’s teamed up with up-and-comer Budgie and made a very funky 45-song long beat tape graced with features from some of the firiest MC’s in rap.
Eternal shoutouts go out to The Alchemist. If you’re looking for some non-trappy hip-hop to cool down to this weekend, this is for you.
Suicideyear – Hate Songs
The world of melancholic trap woke up to Suicideyear and his wild remixes after he dropped his beatape Japan in 2013.
The brooding Baton Rouge, Louisiana native, whose somber, dark beats have been used by Yung Lean, has taken a slight step out of the trappings of, uh, trap and expanded his sound on Hate Songs.
Worry not, shit is still dark, but there’s a lot more going on on Hate Songs. If you’re trying to get a little weird this weekend, Suicidyear is your jam.
Vic Mensa – The Autobiography
Vic Mensa, Chicago protege of Kanye West and Chance The Rapper, has released his first studio album after years of hype.
The album shows why Mensa is so highly thought of in alternative rap circles. Vic Mensa brings in elements of rock and a bunch of soul samples on the album, making him stand out in the current hip-hop landscape. He’s even got Weezer on the album.
If you’re in need of some conscious, lyrical rap (whatever that actually means) Vic Mensa got you.
Kendrick Lamar ft. Rihanna – “Loyalty” (video)
Directed by Dave Meyers & the little homies, Kendrick Lamar shows why he is the King of the Visuals once again.
Joined by Rihanna, we’ve got another cinematic banger from Kung Fu Kenny and his film crew on our hands.
PnB Rock – “Feelins”
Fresh off landing his first Platinum single with “Selfish,” PnB Rock released “Feelins” today.
PnB sings about regret over losing a love interest and he’s now fully in his “feelins” on the new track.
The Philly crooner is definitely one to watch in the trap R&B subgenre, kid is doing his thing.
Future ft. Nicki Minaj – “You Da Baddest”
Future added another track to HNDRXX, his second album of the year and dropped the visuals with Nicki Minaj.
It’s a bouncy club jam, belonging on the poppier of Super Future’s two albums, the new age Sweat/Suit.
Future can’t miss and “You Da Baddest” is another notch on the prolific Atlanta native’s belt.
Charli XCX – “Boys”
Charli XCX, one of the rising stars of pop music, dropped her new single “Boys” with accompanying visuals.
The video is definitely something, with famous dudes like Diplo, Khalid, Joe Jonas, Mac Demarco “doing all the sexy things that girls usually do in videos,” as Charli XCX said in an interview.
“Boys” is not the most thought-provoking track ever, but Charli XCX’s flipping of the music video gender stereotype will surely instigate some discussion.
Purity Ring – “Asido”
Edmonton duo Purity Ring are back with their glitchy trip-hop on new single “Asido.”
Although Purity Ring have said they’re working on new material, there isn’t any clear album attached to the new single so Purity Ring fans will have to for a cohesive project from the band.
Lil Pump x Smokepurpp – “Ok”
Rap’s newest crew of wild shock-rappers are back with some more of their unique lo-fi, fast paced, drug-addled style on “Ok.”
Barely running two minutes, Smoke and Pump trade X-rated bars over a menacing instrumental. Lil Pump announced last week that he’ll be dropping a full project in August. Stay tuned for that… if you’re into this kind of thing.