But don’t worry, we’re going to save you the hassle. We listen to some of the most-hyped and interesting songs each week and tell you which are worthy of your precious listening time.
Here are our top 5 songs to stream this week. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Spotify page for a playlist of our weekly picks, which can also be found at the bottom of this post.
Common — I Used To Love H.E.R. (and More)
NPR’s Tiny Desk took its first field trip from the Washington, D.C. office this week as part of President Barack Obama’s South By South Lawn festival. Famed Chicago rapper Common blessed the transplanted stage with a band that included keyboardist Robert Glasper, drummer Kareem Riggins, and vocalist Bilal, performing soulful and poignant songs that highlighted patriotism, issues of race, and other challenges of our time. It’s a powerful performance which is well worth a watch.
Radiohead — The Numbers (Live)
A Paul Thomas Anderson-directed video of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood performing The Numbers from their latest record A Moon Shaped Pool appeared on the internet this week, a live take which is as exquisitely shot as it is performed. Intimate scenes like this one highlight the core of the band’s songwriting abilities, where two guitars, a voice, and drum machine are more than enough to transport you to faraway lands.
Chance The Rapper — Blessings (Reprise)
Chance The Rapper made an appearance with a star-studded cast of vocalists on The Tonight Show just a few days ago, offering fans a gentle and introverted verse over the layered talents of Anthony Hamilton, Ty Dolla $ign, Raury, and D.R.A.M. It’s an intimate take on his his single which showcases the musician’s sensitive side.
Amber Coffman — All To Myself
The gorgeous voice of Amber Coffman flows throughout famed indie rock outfit The Dirty Projectors’ varied art-rock soundscapes, but it’s equally excellent when heard solo. On All To Myself, Coffman meanders through beachfront landscapes, singing over auto-tuned harmonies and a classic R&B drum groove. Despite its summer setting, this single feels perfectly suited to drizzly fall weather, when you’re contemplating life’s next big moves.
Lera Lynn — What You Done
Lera Lynn first rose to prominence via the soundtrack to popular HBO series True Detective, in which she crooned dark singles in the corner of numerous bar scenes. A dynamic songwriter whose songs are well-fit for the darker days of the season, What You Done emerges from the underworld just in time for the turn of the season.
That’s it for now, but tune in next week for more tunes and check out our playlist loaded with our recent selections below:
