As the year comes to an end, we thought it’d be best to put together some tunes to get you into that celebratory mood. This week’s picks features The 1975, John Legend, Jaymes Young, Kevin Abstract and Yung Bones.
These English lads have been announced as the surprise guest in next year’s Laneway Festival line-up. Of course, once you get past their chavvy charm and good looks, you discover the gem that is their astute musicality.
The band paid a visit to BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge and took to the stage with a rendition of Clean Bandit’s hit single, “Rather Be”. They re-interpreted it in a whole new style, with elements of jazz-lounge muzak complete with smooth accents of the sax and synths.
To celebrate the arrival of holidays, Stella Artois and John Legend have teamed up to deliver us this mesmerizing track. The song title is a literal representation of its creation; scientists were able to record the sounds of the vibrations of stars, which played a significant role in inspiring John Legend to create the song. The ballad is backed with heavy piano melodies and Legend croons a toast to bring people together.
Kevin Abstract is known to have a fascinating talent at crafting visuals on top of making music, all while showing a mastery beyond his youth. This track is killing it, thanks to its mix of happy and sad undertones. Kevin switches up his style and chooses to sing instead of rap, and his vocals lend a tinge of hopefulness against the blues.
Jaymes Young has captured our attention since his cover of Haddaway’s “What Is Love” last June. Known for his signature bass/synth tracks, his voice is versatile as it is alluring, and he switches from acoustics to R&B easily. Props to Lost Frequencies on this rework – a genius move to add in some chill beats, we say.
This is a witty remix of Alicia Key’s “Unthinkable”. Yung Bones, an elusive teen from Baltimore, has overturned and cut it up into a trapstyle jam that is definitely suited for today’s airwaves. The beats and pace of this track make for a groovy dance, even if you’re jiving in the privacy of the bathroom.