9 Songs You Need In Your Life This Week

Tracks we love right now, and why they matter. In no particular order.

July 31, 2015
1. Drake, "Hotline Bling"

We've heard a lot from Drake over the past couple of weeks and I, for one, could not be more thrilled. But while some of the loosies and unexpected collabs will inevitably be forgotten when we get yet more new material, "Hotline Bling," 6 God's navel-gazing remix of D.R.A.M.'s Cha Cha, is the one. I'm picturing him sitting around at home waiting for his hotlline to blink with a call from an ex and singing to himself, You used to call me on my cell phone/ Late night when you need my love. Stars, they're just like us. — Rawiya Kameir

2. Paul Marmota × UNiiQU3, "2 On (LAO MASH)"

Tinashe’s “2 On” is a perennially remixable tune, and this latest re-work of her summer 2014-defining hit is probably the most intense one yet. Mexico City-based electronic artist Lao mashes up sweat-inducing club production from Chilean DJ Paul Marmota and New Jersey’s Uniiqu3: wailing sirens, shotgun-blast percussion, digitally disconnected vocals. It’s only one of the brain-breaking, transcendently mixed bootlegs on Pirata 2, the star-studded new tape from Mexican party starters and label-to-watch, NAAFI. — Patrick D. McDermott

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3. DJ Mustard f. Ty$ & Makonnen, "Why'd You Call?"

This week, Makonnen served up a sad banger of "Tuesday"-sized proportions with "Why'd You Call?" Together with Ty Dolla $ign and DJ Mustard, the tune uses the catchy-yet-moody hook plus zany drop formula to rival Jack Ü's "Where Are Ü Now" as "Song Of The Summer You're Most Likely To Text Your Ex From The Dancefloor To." But it delivers a genuine blow to the heartstrings with Makonnen's drawl: why'd you call, if you've got other numbers to dial?— Aimee Cliff

4. Migos, “Street Nigga Sacrifice”

Migos’ long-awaited Yung Rich Nation landed last week, but to hardly the fanfare we once might have expected. You could be forgiven if you were distracted the Meek Mill/Drake drama, or if the delays spoiled your excitement— but do at some point listen. Start with “Street Nigga Sacrifice,” a regal reflection on their rise: the cases, the memes, the lunches with Lyor Cohen, and the covers—The FADER included. — Zara Golden

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5. Mocky, "Upbeat Thing"

As a producer, Canadian studio-wizard Mocky has helped unlock the best in non-traditional voices like Le1f, Kelela, and Feist. But his own work is surprisingly wholesome: Key Change is full of optimistic chords arranged like a Michael Cera movie score. Album opener "Upbeat Thing" delivers exactly what it promises: toe-tapping funk designed to make you feel a bit brighter. — Matthew Trammell

6. Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique, "Set Me Free"

If there's anything Robyn is exceptional at, it's emoting in the club. Since the dawn of her Konichiwa Records renaissance, she's been making clever party anthems that'll have you dancing your feelings all the way out. That's the case, too, with "Set Me Free," a new single from her forthcoming project with her group, La Bagatelle Magique. The pounding, hella uptempo track is all about finding freedom on the dancefloor. Let's get it. — Rawiya Kameir

7. Lontalius, "Comfortable"

Lontalius, the wobbly-voiced Drake superfan who makes sleepy covers of radio rap songs, also records tear-jerking original tracks. “Comfortable,” his newest, is another atmospheric shy-guy ballad, with gorgeously sung lyrics about ex-boyfriends, bloody lips, and anxious longing. Said I loved you and I've never meant it more/ but despite it all I’m always feeling bored, he sings at one point—perfectly and poetically describing the way in which his own lo-fi love songs tend to be soul-baring and bored-sounding at the exact same time. — Patrick D. McDermott

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8. Soulja Boy f. Migos, "Yeen Heard"

This could very well be my favorite Migos song, despite it being off a Soulja Boy tape. "Yeen Heard" is an Atlanta version of Big L's "Ebonics," breaking down the lingo the trio have flooded their city with: Yeen heard about juggin? That mean take something. Yeen heard about finesse? That mean snake something. On the heels of their studio debut, it's fun to hear these dudes be self-aware and claim credit for the waves they've started. Dab. — Matthew Trammell

9. Kodak Black, “Shoulda Woulda”

It might be a year old, but Kodak Black’s “Shoulda Woulda” was as good as new to me when Oliver El-Khatib played it during OVO Sound’s Beats1 Radio show last weekend. The South Florida rapper has a nasally voice and an appreciable amount of regret for someone who isn’t yet twenty. Like the keyboard beat, his shoulda coulda did coulda woulda did’s will loop through your head long after the song is over. — Zara Golden

9 Songs You Need In Your Life This Week