The music week in review: Gucci Mane, Alex G, Bryson Tiller, Lorde and more
It’s Memorial Day Weekend, people. This means we’re officially in summer music territory. You need new tracks for your rooftop parties, your road trips, the morning after hangover as you contemplate last night’s decisions. We got you.
A bunch of new shit has dropped over the past week and we’re here to help you sort through it and find your barbecue song for this weekend and beyond.
Gucci Mane – Droptopwop
East Atlanta Santa dropped his sixth project since being released from prison a year ago today. That’s like an entire career’s worth of material in one calendar year.
On Droptopwop Gucci does what he does best, seamlessly flowing over some immaculate production from Metro Boomin’ (executive producer) and a group of the best minds in hip-hop production. “Met Gala” with Offset is a standout.
(Sandy) Alex G – Rocket
Last Friday, Philadelphia artist Alex Giannascoli released an alluring, multifaceted album, spanning the world of indie rock. It’s highly recommended listening.
On the surface, this record is easy to listen to, but it’s also extremely complex in its composition. Early contender for album of the year for me.
Bryson Tiller – True to Self
Pen Griffey dropped his second full length album last night, a month before schedule. After the widely successful Trapsoul, Tiller has a lot to live up to. According to CJ, it’s fire.
Danzing – Black Laden Crown
Danzig have returned with some face-melting guitar riffs and some lyrics about devils and other Dungeons and Dragons subjects.
If you’re looking for some badass bluesy metal played by dudes in their 60s, this should be extremely your shit.
Lorde – “Green Light” (Chromeo Remix)
The Funk Lord(e)s have returned to reimagine Lorde’s new song about not actually liking beaches, which is ironic because this is definitely some summer beach party music.
It’s good to have Chromeo back doing their thing again, hopefully more to come from the Montreal duo.
A$AP Rocky – “RAF” ft. Playboi Carti, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, Frank Ocean
Rocky’s new single honors the fashion designer du jour, and hosts many of the most relevant hip-hop artists, to make one trendy-ass song. Anytime Frank Ocean and Quavo are on the same song, it’s bound to be some cool shit.
Washed Out – “Get Lost”
After taking over the indie scene with Life and Leisure (2009) and Within Without (2011) and being one of the main initiators of the early 2010’s chillwave renaissance, Washed Out, real name Ernest Green, hadn’t released any solo work since 2013. Until today.
Washed Out fans will find the sound on “Get Lost” very familiar, if not a little refined.
Smokepurpp – “Different Color Molly”
Like it or not, these South Florida rappers are here to stay. Smokepurpp might be the most palatable of the bunch with his laid back (and drugged out) flow.
On “Different Color Molly” Smoke is… taking a bunch of drugs and singing along with his chopper over a bouncy beat, courtesy of Slight.
Chuck Berry – “Lady B. Goode”
Chuck Berry, the late great godfather of rock music, wrote an ode to his wife, with “three generations of Berrys – Chuck, son Charles Jr. and grandson Charles III” all playing guitar on the track released earlier today, according to Rolling Stone.
Future – “Mask Off” (Remix) ft. Kendrick Lamar
How can you make the hottest song in hip-hop even more of a smash? Add Kendrick to it. It’s pretty simple.