V’s favorite music releases from the first full week of March
V’s favorite music releases from the first full week of March
After the first full week of March, a host of releases have left us with much to listen to this weekend. From a fan-favorite Azealia Banks track to what may just be Miley Cyrus’ best album yet, the releases this week are sure to have you dancing around your apartment all weekend long.
See below for V’s best picks for New Music Friday:
Torren Foot and Azealia Banks, “New Bottega”
Azealia Banks’ fan favorite unreleased track, “New Bottega,” has finally hit streaming platforms as a collaboration between the legendary female rapper and Australian house producer, Torren Foot. The track has been given a house music twist, with a strong dance beat as Banks effortlessly spits out, “I put the boy in Galliano, now he’s a fucking model.” This newest release from the rapper is destined for dancefloors this summer, or even for you to play alone as you strut down a very long hallway with headphones on. Fashun!
Miley Cyrus, “River”
Oooooh baby! “River” is the second single off of Miley Cyrus’ album Endless Summer Vacation, which was also released today. If her record-shattering hit “Flowers” was a self-love anthem, “River” is a more grungy synth-based ode to a sweat-inducing kind of love, as the popstar sings “It turns me on that you care, baby / Your love, it flows just like a river.” Cyrus is hitting her stride in Endless Summer Vacation, with hints of inspiration from her rock-centred 2020 album Plastic Hearts, the 80s pop synths a la Madonna, and 21st-century contemporary electronic sounds.
d4vd, “Worthless”
17-year-old rising pop musician d4vd has released his single “Worthless” as an exploration of his growing genre-bending sound. The angsty track shows the young artist grappling with ideas of self-worth over a punchy bassline and a woozy guitar chorus, as he sings, “Cause every time the sun comes up / I start feeling worthless / It’s easier said than done / I’m trying to find my purpose.”
JELEEL! feat. Armani White, “GNARLY!”
After the song made its live debut last weekend at Rolling Loud Los Angeles, “GNARLY!” by JELEEL! featuring Armani White has hit all streaming services as a precursor to JELEEL!’s upcoming debut album. “‘GNARLY!’ is one of those ones that just came together effortlessly,” said the artist. “After the session, I ran into Armani White at a party and ended up showing him the song, and just a day or two after that he sent his verse and we turned it in. I’m excited for people to hear it as I haven’t really shown my rap flow as much and it’s definitely a side of me that people are going to hear a lot more of.”
Lola Brooke, “So DISRESPECTFUL”
After her smash performance on Flo Milli’s “Conceited” earlier this year, Lola Brooke is back with her unapologetic track, “So DISRESPECTFUL.” The Brooklyn native female rapper confidently asserts herself as rap’s next biggest thing, rapping “When they mail a check out / It better be in gift wrap.”
Devon Cole, “Call U After Rehab”
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Devon Cole has released “Call U After Rehab” as a self-reflective pop tune for the 24-year-old artist. “‘Call U After Rehab’ is my most vulnerable release yet,” explains Cole. “It’s a love song about pausing a relationship in order to take care of myself. I was putting off my issues for a while and finding any way to justify my bad habits. Deciding to say goodbye to my closest comforts, to give myself the space and time to heal, felt like ripping off a band-aid that had been there for ages. And this release kind of feels the same, in some ways. I hope people can relate by interpreting the rehab idea however they want to.”
Myke Towers, “Aguardiente”
Along with the announcement of his album La Vida Es Una (releasing March 23), Myke Towers has released “Aguardiente,” an upbeat summer jam that was recorded and produced in Puerto Rico. “‘Aguardiente,’ I can say, was one of the very first tracks to make it into the album, it was a given,” said Towers. “Sky (Rompiendo) always comes through with the dope rich beats and there’s no way to pass them up. This Reggaeton definitely has that essence that is in the music my brothers in Colombia make.”
