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Spring Cleaning is not just about getting rid of those magazines in your bathroom and mystery take-out boxes in the back of your fridge.
Also: Spring Playlist | Get Woke With New Music From Kendrick Lamar, Gorillaz, Mura Masa
It’s about clearing up your music playlists and opening your ears to something new. With summer coming up fast and festival season already in full headgear, you better be on top of what’s hot. In this weekly New Music Playlist I’ve curated the latest releases from CHVRCHES, Gorillaz, Gryffin, and others. Enjoy!
CHVRCHES – “Down Side of Me (Live)”
This new version of “Down Side of Me (Live)” is the first single off of a curated series of 7-inch vinyl records and digital downloads to benefit Planned Parenthood. The project comprises contributions from acclaimed creative minds who stand with Planned Parenthood and its patients and the video was directed by brooding auteur/actress Kristen Stewart.
Joe Goddard – “Music is the Answer”
This transcendent dance single is off of the the solo release from Joe Goddard, one of the geniuses behind Hot Chip. It’s been playing in my headphones and inside my head on loop since it was released and is a worthy introduction to Goddard’s sensuous, R&B-flavored album that’s already earned a place in my top 10 of 2017.
Gorillaz – “Andromeda” featuring D.R.A.M.
Still processing Gorillaz much-anticipated new album, Humanz, which upon a first couple listens is a bit uneven — more manic than melodic. That is probably what Damon Albarn had in his “Beautiful Mind”, especially in these strange daze, but “Andromeda” featuring D.R.A.M. feels like classic Gorillaz. It’s a bouncy, synth serenade, fueled by multi-layered harmonies and Albarn’s melancholic crooning.
Girlpool – “It Gets More Blue”
“I faked global warming to just get close to you.” Come on, admit. We’ve all said it, but Harmony Tividad and Cleo Tucker of Girlpool actually put it to song. And what a song it is — a second-hand, romantic lullaby that sounds like The Breeders 2.0.
Jay IDK – “OMW”
The DC rapper whom we chatted with last year, dropped a new single produced by Mike Hector (who also produced Kendrick Lamar’s “God”). Well-versed in bravado and tonal shifts, JAY IDK lives up to the hot track with a burn down the house intensity in each breath.
Gryffin – “Feel Good” with Illenium and featuring Daya
This multi-talented DJ/producer is like the Willy Wonka of EDM, churning out ear candy that might not be all that filling, but tastes so good going down. This time he teams up with singer/songwriter Daya, fresh off her Grammy Award win for the “Don’t Let Me Down” smash with the Chainsmokers.