Here are our top 5 songs to stream this week — and remember to subscribe to our Spotify playlist for all of our weekly picks.
Ty Segall and Cory Hanson — She Is A Beam
Indie rock icon Ty Segall may be gallivanting around the globe while dressed as a giant baby these days, but beneath his current art-rock facade lies the soul (and voice, and guitar ability) of a serious musician. This recently released track, which was recorded with Wand frontman Cory Hanson at last year’s Pickathon festival in Oregon, is among the clearest examples of his skills to date, a Bowie-esque rocker who shines even when stripped down to a two-man acoustic jam.
Charlie Hunter — No Money No Honey
“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” reads the title card to seven-string guitar player Charlie Hunter’s latest track, a live take that manifests into one of the most soulful funk jams of the year. Groovy and full of old-school talent in the form of some of the best jazz musicians on the planet, the instrumental is full of the real-world emotions that too often get stripped away in windowless studios around the globe. In this case, you can hear and see the grit — an overwhelmingly powerful amalgamation of stick clicks, horn bends, and smiles all around.
The Tallest Man On Earth — Time Of The Blue
The Tallest Man On Earth’s music may not have evolved much over the course of the past half decade, and that’s probably exactly what his fans want. The majority of songwriter Kristian Matsson’s releases feature soothing acoustic guitar melodies that meet perfect vocal timbre, with poetic lyrics that tie the whole room together. Such is the case on Time Of The Blue, in which Matsson’s quick-paced fingers provide the perfect backdrop for a morning cup of coffee, or a late-night talk in the hot summer air.
Bibi Bourelly — Riot
Songwriter and vocalist Bibi Bourelly’s latest protest song comes with almost striking timing, as the world reels from the recent Orlando shooting. It’s a pop number, sure, but with the video release that highlights the struggles of compromised communities around the world, and lyrics that encourage all listeners to fight the powers that be, there’s something important seething under this one’s surface. If only Rihanna or Drake would be so bold.
TwoFresh — TWOsDay IV (Blessings Edit)
A remix of Chance The Rapper’s recently released Blessings that was crafted by a pair of twins from Nashville, Tennessee, who now reside in Los Angeles, TWOsDay IV is as catchy as it is glitched out. A mixture of early-era Kanye and present-day Flying Lotus, it just goes to show that there are plenty of ways to make a song work if its internals are quality enough.
That’s it for now, but check back every week for more new tunes to stream!
