SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK

Every week, we highlight the top releases through our best music of this week and last due to the site being down due to some technical issues but am glad to be back! Here's our round-up of the best tracks that we came across that are must hears!

ANDERSON EAST | HOOD OF MY CAR

Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter Anderson East has debuted a new song, "Hood Of My Car," taken from his upcoming album "Maybe We Never Die," released on 20th August 2021. Collaborating once again with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and long-time bandleader and now co-producer Philip Towns, the twelve tracks flow together with an overarching sense of urgency but maintain distinct musical boundaries. The energy toggles between hunger for vulnerability in togetherness and a clinging to solitude as romantic self-defence. There is consternation with the speed and volume at which the world operates and solace to be found in the simple act of getting up and going. Ahead of the release, East has shared two additional album tracks: "Drugs" and "Madelyn," which received rave reviews. East recently performed a special full-band live stream concert and will return to the stage this Autumn with his extensive ‘Maybe We Never Die’ headline tour.

https://youtu.be/8SSyCiqm6wU

AQUA | I AM WHO I AM

Best known for their 1997 multi-platinum crossover single "Barbie Girl," Danish-Norwegian Europop Aqua is back as they celebrate Copenhagen WorldPride with a new cover of Gloria Gaynor’s classic disco anthem "I Am What I Am." The track, which originally appeared in the Broadway musical ‘La Cage aux Folles, became an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community following the diva’s 1983 single release. With the new recording, the group strips the trackback to highlight its empowering lyrics of acceptance and self-love. By releasing their first cover version ever on July 16, Aqua invites music lovers all over the world to share in celebrating the upcoming Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride,” reads a statement from the band. Aqua released their last single, "Rookie," in 2018 – seven years after their 2011 comeback LP "Megalomania." The band has yet to confirm whether the new single is a standalone release or if more new music is on the way.

https://youtu.be/zTWXhNH40ws

JO O'MEARA | SWEET SURRENDER

Former member of pop group S Club 7, Jo O'Meara has shared the follow-up to her lead single "On The Surface" with her new song, "Sweet Surrender," a throwback R&B number with a big pop hook. O’Meara says, “I wrote this song as I know many of us girls have been there: falling for the wrong man, even though our friends tell us that they’re no good! We ignore them and do what we want anyway. Even though deep we know they’re right, there is something about the bad boy that always attracts us and casts that dangerous spell. But it doesn’t always make it right; it often just gives us a false sense of surrender!” Jo wrote the song with the track’s producer/mixer Kjetil Mørland and Nicky Mac. "Sweet Surrender" and "On The Surface" indicate the songwriting skills that she has used on six of the album’s tracks, each of which expresses a different vibe, energy, and experience. Her new album will drop on August 21st, 2021.

https://youtu.be/7Bu5cTPxyZY

ILLENIUM & MATT MAESON | HEAVENLY SIDE

ILLENIUM just unveiled his sixth and final single off his forthcoming album, "Fallen Embers." a collaboration with Matt Maeson, to prepare fans for the release of his highly-anticipated fourth studio album. ILLENIUM promised fans a final album single if the number of pre-saves hit 10,000. After accomplishing that goal in just a few days, he has delivered just in time for his massive "Trilogy" live show. “Heavenly Side” offers a fresh take on the signature Illenium sound fans know and love, romantic as ever with an alternative edge. The song is all about overcoming pain, anger, and darkness to become a new and better version of yourself — my heavenly side is coming to life if you want me. “Heavenly Side” follows up “First Time” with iann Dior, “Sideways” with Valerie Broussard and Nurko, “Nightlight” with Annika Wells, “Hearts on Fire” with Dabin & Lights, and “Paper Thin” with Tom DeLonge & Angels & Airwaves. Fallen Embers arrives on July 16th which includes collaborative tracks with SLANDER, Excision, Krewella, and more.

https://youtu.be/5eXwraggLWc

RAY BLK | MIA (FEAT. KAASH PAIGE)

British singer and songwriter Ray Blk's new single ‘MIA,’ which features Kaash Paige and accompanied with the announcement of her debut studio album "Access Denied." Written and recorded during the lockdown, the album is, as Ray explained in a press release, “for those who, like myself, know disappointment too well and have learned to put up walls as a coping mechanism for self-protection.” ADP produced it; Biggie’s iconic “One More Chance” is interpolated on the track, which R&B heads will also recognize as the backing for Ashanti’s hit “Foolish.” With a nostalgic Y2K vibe throughout, Ray and US R&B talent Kaash Paige prove to be a perfect pairing. “MIA’ is my summer anthem as we’re released from lockdown,” says Ray BLK. “It’s just about escaping, or being with someone who feels like an escape, like you’re on holiday and just at peace, away from the noise.” The new track follows her bouncy, Giggs-assisted number “Games” in March and her moving and uplifting track “Dark Skinned” in May,

https://youtu.be/ZK9D8rT_IZY

LOREN GRAY | PIECE OF WORK

Singer and social media personality from Pottstown, Pennsylvania Loren Gray has released her new song titled "Piece Of Work." In a social media post about her new single “Piece Of Work,” Loren Gray noted that it was the first time she has been able to share her own vision. If this outstanding song is indeed a window into her artistic identity, Gray is en route to making a major, lasting impact on pop music. Buoyed by her most commanding performance yet, the ridiculously catchy new song stands out in one of the most crowded release weeks of the year. Gray’s past releases have generally been solid — and all offered a window into her substantial potential. None, however, felt this fully realized. None, however, felt this immediately resonant. The message of this song is as strong and as powerful as the incredible beat. It’s rare to get a track that makes you want to get up and dance but also makes you really listen to the lyrics and find that second layer of this deeper meaning.

https://youtu.be/1TBACIZ3OI0