I was sick on Mother's Day, and my mom lives far away, so my only real communication with her was a quick phone call between feverish naps. Part of me wishes I could have written her something like Mas Ysa's impossibly uplifting "Margarita," a song from the New York artist's just-announced debut LP. Project mastermind Thomas Arsenault told FADER it eases his nerves to shout his mother's name on stage, which is nice, and the track itself is a comfort to listen to. Arsenault's gruff, choppy voice sounds downright triumphant over synth fireworks and Jumbotron percussion, like he just woke up from a fever dream and realized everything's gonna to be okay.—Patrick D. McDermott
Leave it to a gang of Aussies with drum machines to whip up a spotless contemporary take on classic downtown new wave. "Gundagai" is part Talking Heads, part Sade—the band, not the singer—and lands so chill it's almost surprising when the solo kicks in and you realize you'd still get drunk to it on a Saturday night.—Matthew Trammell
The first time I heard Meek Mill's "Energy" freestyle was when a cab driver handed my friend the aux cord and generously turned up the volume, before speeding over the Williamsburg Bridge. We wheeled it back four times, the three of us bopping along as Meek yelled at us—to us?—about haters and frenemies and having sex to a Dej Loaf song. By the second rewind, we'd identified this punchline as the song's greatest moment: Is Instagram hurting your heart, nigga?—Rawiya Kameir
My infatuation with the first track off Boosie's forthcoming Touch Down 2 Cause Hell is all about its syrupy sweet hook. Sung by new Atlantic signee PJ, the "All I Know" veers between street aphorisms and Sunday morning children's TV sing-song. Boosie fills in the gaps with elastic rhymes, just different iterations of a single sentiment: fuck what you think you know.—Liz Raiss
Oddisee is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper-producer, and he's made a career out of defending his niche. On "Belong To The World," a gorgeous, gentle track off of his newly released The Good Fight, he does just that, distilling several years' worth of commentary on the futility of fame into a single line: You don't need a bigger plate, just a smaller stomach.—Rawiya Kameir
This is insane. Summer 2014 was already ignorant enough with the original version of Kranium's "Nobody Has To Know" floating out of basement sets across the city, and now the sweaty anthem for silent killers has been revived by Ty Dolla $ign for another June run. Kranium recently announced inking a deal with Atlantic, and we're hoping he's got more heat in the chamber for the coming months off.—Matthew Trammell
Dallas jazz outfit Herrick & Hooley caught The Internet's attention with some well-timed Odd Future covers, and the release of their new album Herrick & Hooley's Famous Honey. Cosigns aside, props are due: the chops are sweet and the drummer's tight. "Myah Myah" is a bright centerpiece, with an infectious piano roll and palpable optimism. To craft jazz this earnest, you've got to believe in something. — Matthew Trammell
Close your eyes and imagine Soulja Boy covering Rihanna in the style of Young Thug, and you what you might hear is "Cake," the first cut off his upcoming Rich Gang release, Swag: The Mixtape. This is biting at its best, and by a rapper that is low-key New Atlanta's spirit guide. So don't worry about it, just enjoy it.—Zara Golden
Mila (formerly known as Mila J, also known as Jhene Aiko's sister) and outsider R&B duo BC Kingdom come together to deliver "D+G," a throbbing rundown of precious metals and stones—diamonds, gold, sapphires, emerald, rubies, and so on. It seems like Mila is the darker, moodier of the two talented Aiko, and we're into it. More of this, please!—Zara Golden