10 songs you need in your life this week
A guide to the tracks we love right now. In no particular order.
Each week The FADER staff rounds up the songs we can't stop playing. Here they are, in no particular order.
Dreamville, EARTHGANG, J. Cole, Smino, Saba, “Sacrifices”
Dreamville’s “Sacrifices,” features a soul-stirring chorus by EARTHGANG’s Johnny Venus. Meanwhile, Saba, Smino, and Cole reveal what they gave up to launch their careers. —BC
CupcakKe, “Ayesha”
“Ayesha” has CupcakKe chanting Ayesha Curry’s name over marching band-like horns and drums. She’s also the only person who can “rock Versace robe with the low cuts.” —BC
Odunsi f. Runtown, "star signs"
At the height of #CancerSzn, Odunsi drops the visual for “star signs.” Over bright synths and instrumentation, the alté star dreams about staying up with a woman who only wants to talk about horoscopes. —BC
Butch Dawson, “WORD ON THE BLOCK”
With a lazy, nasaly delivery, Baltimore’s Butch Dawson turns the phrase “word on the block” into a threat, repeating it like a game of telephone. —BC
Dominic Fike, “Phone Numbers”
On the breezy Kenny Beats-produced, “Phone Numbers," Fike boyishly complains about an annoying friend who’s been calling his phone asking for favors. —BC
Mahalia f. Burna Boy, “Simmer”
U.K.’s Mahalia pairs her sensual lyrics with Burna Boy’s speedy and animated flow on "Simmer," a brilliant summer heat cooldown. —AT
Velvet Negroni, “WINE GREEN”
Though Velvet Negroni’s latest single is one of his most synthy and exuberant-sounding yet, his lyrics contain a sporadic, almost trippy motif: “I simply weasel white wine / My high / I sing quiet all the way home.” —AT
Tzekin & Slodown, “Sunset Spot” (Sam Rui version)
Sam Rui jumps on Tzekin & Slodown’s “Sunset Spot,” a nostalgic-sounding track that feels like you’re revisiting an old romance. —AT
Nathan Bajar, “The Table”
Nathan Bajar’s “The Table” is a warm, and harmonious tribute to his father’s recent passing. “My father now lives in the sky / One last seat at the table,” he sings. —AT
Stardust, “Music Sounds Better With You”
Stardust’s classic 1998 hit, “Music Sounds Better With You” has finally landed on streaming services. You’re welcome. —AT