It’s another week thus another opportunity for Qrewcial to give you the ins and outs on fresh new music. From underground hip hop to polka (okay maybe not polka but hey we don’t discriminate!) and everything in between, we’ve selected five of our favorite newly released tracks to give you. This week promises to be extra special with Solange, Da Baby, The Drums, Marcus D and Big Thief all giving us new goodness.
1) Da Baby – “Suge (Yea Yea)”
Charlotte, NC based rapper Da Baby is on the come up. His song “Walker Texas Ranger” was a clever play off the popular Chuck Norris show, and widely received by hip hop fans. Last week he released his new mixtape, Baby on Baby, and it’s already making noise. The rapper signed to Interscope Records a few weeks ago, so it’s appropriate that his newest track references former Deathrow Co-CEO Suge Knight. The accompanying video is comical and full of personality, much like the artist himself.
Listen Now: “Suge (Yea Yea)”
2) The Drums – “626 Bedford Ave”
This track is the second single off The Drums fifth album, Brutalism, which comes out on April 5th. In a press release Jonny Pierce described this synth-pop single as being “about how I sometimes make myself fully emotionally available to people who can’t reciprocate because of their own insecurities, and the frustration that ensues.” Brutalism is definitely a project that was written to be cathartic. Pierce stated he was going through a “painful divorce and an incredibly difficult stint living solely in Los Angeles” and used the making of this album to “face his demons”— as so many great musicians have in the past. The Drums has announced a US Tour in promotion of the album starting in April.
Listen Now: “626 Bedford Ave”
3) Solange ft The Dream & Playboi Carti- “Almeda”
Solange decided to end Black History Month by snatching edges. She released teasing news and visuals of an album on blackplanet.com, and basically had her fans in a frenzy. When I Get Home, is a love album to Houston (chopped and screwed gets plenty of love), with a mix of guest appearances and styles. Knowles’ also recently released a 33-minute film to accompany the album. “Almeda” was produced by Solange, Pharrell, and John Kirby and is a standout track. The switch-ups are crazy!
Listen Now: “Almeda”
4) Marcus D ft Cise Starr, Funky DL & Substantial – “Blinding Light”
Seattle based producer and instrumentalist Marcus D has worked with some of hip hop’s best and brightest such as Royce Da 5’9”, Skyzoo, Del the Funky Homosapien and is one half of the duo Bop Alloy. With the 9th anniversary of his mentor-producer Nujabes’ death, Marcus D offers this single in partner with other frequent Nujabes’ collaborators: Cise Starr, Funky DL, and Bop Alloy member Substantial. It’s that classic hip hop at its best: dope bars, flawless delivery, crisp cuts, and production that makes you nod your head. You’re welcome.
Listen Now: “Blinding Light”
5) Big Thief – “UFOF”
“UFOF” is the first single off Big Thief’s newly announced third album, also entitled UFOF. According to the Brooklyn-based band, the last “F” stands for friends and their new music references “making friends with the unknown.” This track has an ethereal, dreamy quality that is gorgeously mellow and intense at the same time. The new album is due out on May 3rd, with an accompanying tour starting this April.
Listen Now: “UFOF“
