music / Hip-Hop

10 songs you need in your life this week

A guide to the tracks we love right now. In no particular order.

By Steffanee Wang

April 17, 2018

10 songs you need in your life this week

Nicki Minaj: João Canziani; Wet: Jody Rogac; Princess Nokie: Instagram; Lotic: Elias Johansson

Each week The FADER staff rounds up the songs we can't stop playing. Here they are, in no particular order.

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Nicki Minaj, "Barbie Tingz"

Nicki Minaj is back with "Barbie Tingz," and, over a simple bouncing beat, effortlessly reminds us that she's still running the game.

Black Dresses, "Go Inside"

Black Dresses's "Go Inside" is the kind of sound collage that we need right now. It's kind of lo-fi, kind of rap, kind of punk — and really, really catchy.

Lotic, "Hunted"

On "Hunted," Lotic repurposes a string of threatening whispers, condensing the voices into one empowering stream. "Brown skin, masculine frame, head's a target," they hypnotically chant, over and over and over again.

Janelle Monáe, "I Like That"

Janelle Monáe goes classic R&B on "I Like That," a groovy new track that also finds her employing some sort of cool voice distorter on the hook.

Princess Nokia, "Your Eyes Are Bleeding"

Princess Nokia channels the hyper-emotional feels of 2000s emo on "Your Eyes Are Bleeding," an over-enunciated, head-bopping mini-masterpiece.

Wet, "Softens"

Wet's newest is built on a delicate balance of orchestral strings and quiet murmurs. Add in Kelly Zutrau's clear vocals, and you get what feels like cool water washing over your body.

Amnesia Scanner ft. Pan Daijing, "AS Chaos"

As the name suggests, Amnesia Scanner's latest is disorienting. With heavy synths, corkscrew effects, and Pan Daijing's mix of Mandarin and English, it's begging to be played at a warehouse rave this weekend.

Deem Spencer, "baybay"

In my mind, I imagine Deem Spencer's "baybay" as a rambling, sweet message left on someone's answering machine. It's an intimate, static-y lullaby.

Creek Boyz, " Boss Right Now"

Baltimore's Creek Boyz want to spread self-empowerment on their latest, "Boss Right Now." The hook — which features their now-signature chorus of overlapping, joyous voices — feels especially inspiring.

Dear Nora, "White Fur"

There is this part in Dear Nora's "White Fur" when Katy Davidson's vocal and the guitar melody sync up perfectly, creating a blissful tunnel of mutual echoing. It's a lovely moment, and you should hear it.