Travis Scott returns with a hit single that’s filled with thought-provoking lyrics, and we’ve thrown in a couple of additional tracks to get you in the mood for this long weekend.
British singer Sampha has worked with the likes of Drake, Kanye West, Frank Ocean and FKA Twigs, and we can see why. His new single, “Blood On Me”, contains lyrics that are haunting yet mesmerizing, complete with driving drums, simple piano lines, a backing choir and buttery vocals. Sampha will be dropping his debut album, Process, real soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this one.
Travis Scott’s latest hit may be an Apple Music exclusive at the moment, but do expect it to hit radio stations and other streaming services soon. The first single off his new album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight, references the Atlanta Child Murders, and enlists Andre 3000 for backing vocals.
Kygo and Julia Michaels performed this track at the Rio 2016 Olympics closing ceremony, and it’s been stuck in our heads since. Coming from Kygo’s debut album, Cloud Nine, the song has the beach vibes you need to whisk you away and carry you through the day. Michaels’ alluring vocals pair perfectly with Kygo’s trademark layered synth, and if you’re a big fan of the latter, you’ll be pleased to know that he’s performing at this weekend’s Ultra Music Festival in Singapore.
Yllis, who worked with Slodown on his soulful single “Khaled”, throws us a trippy video with crazy graphics. The Singaporean producer inserted Chinese opera background vocals into the broad soundscape, paying homage to the title of the track, “梦” (“dream” in Mandarin).
We’re on the brink of Rihanna’s PUMA Fenty drop, and we thought it’ll be a good idea to listen to one of her softer, emotionally vulnerable songs. Taken off her album, Anti, the four-minute aural masterpiece is mid-tempo, yet heavy on the synths. Riri rocks in her classic edgy, R&B style, and knowing that Miguel performed this cover of the song months earlier, we’re looking forward to the day these two musicians decide to collaborate with each other.
Got a suggestion for next week’s grind? Drop us an email at editorial@straatosphere.com.
Tira Lee is Straatosphere’s resident aux cord heaux. She’s in-charge of pulling together nifty mixes each week to spread dope tracks and good vibes to the public. In her free time, she partakes in something distressingly referred to as academia and often experiences an existential crisis of sorts. She’s also paid to put pretty clothes on pretty people sometimes.