Music

TRENDING: 9 must-listen songs for the week of August 29th

by Chris Budd

Where did this summer go? I know its kind of cliche to say that, but I really feel like it got away from me. Well, perhaps you can hang on to those fleeting moments with this playlist below (it definitely has a summer vibe to it).

Catch up on what happened this week and pass it along. Here’s the trending playlist for the week of Aug 29th—and read our assessments below the player.

1. “Meridian” by Zola Blood

It’s been great to watch the progression of this UK band online. A little while back, they turned everyone’s heads with their first single “Grace,” now they’re back with a stunning follow-up “Meridian.” The former sounds haunting, with sweltering synths and melancholy vocals. The latter follows the former, adding momentum with soft percussion, intertwined with some lush, delicate instrumentation and vocals. The four-piece are set to release their debut EP on October the 9th via Pond Life.

2. “Weekend” by Vérité

Vérité is an NYC songstress who’s latest single “Weekend” is absolutely stuck in my head today. Partly because of the catchy hook in the chorus, partly because its Friday and I’ve been thinking about the long weekend all morning. For fans of MS MR, Icona Pop, Ryn Weaver check out this new artist.

3. “Instant Crush (Daft Punk Cover)” by Say Lou Lou

If you’re a Daft Punk fan, you might like this reinterpretation of the Julian Casablancas collaboration in “Instant Crush.” Say Lou Lou put their trademark spin on it, transforming the original into another dream-pop sensation.

4. “Waited 4 U” by Slow Magic

Over the past two months Slow Magic has shared singles “Girls” and “Hold Still” from the forthcoming album, How To Run Away (out Sept. 9th on Downtown Records). With just under two weeks left until release day, Slow Magic teased us with one more album track, “Waited 4 U,” “a smooth, plinky beat, eventually crescendoing into a full-on dance party jam complete with laser-like synth blasts.”

5. “Hard Time” by Seinabo Sey

Seinabo Sey is a Swedish pop artist who is really breaking out of the “up-and-coming” category this year. Her debut was last falls’ “Younger”, while the latest track with legs is “Hard Time,” which keeps popping back on to the Hype Machine charts. “Hard Time” settles a bit on dark pop, produced with “ghostly chanting voices, guitar riffs, and a gloomy beat as the backdrop.”

6. “The Chase” by Sohn

For those who are really loving the burgeoning electro-R&B genre these days, you’ll like to know that Austrian-based electronic music producer SOHN has debuted a new demo recently called “The Chase.” Really, he called it a demo. Sounds finished to me.

7. “The Night” by Oslo Parks

Here’s Brighton, England duo Oslo Parks with the song “The Night.” It’s the band’s second single and is a hefty dose of funk bass, “reminiscent of Metronomy if they were injected with a little dose of seduction”.

8. “Hey Mami” by Sylvan Esso

Back in April, I tipped you to the collaboration between vocalist Amelia Meath and electronic musician Nick Sanborn, a new group called Sylvan Esso. I really can’t get enough of this band and neither can the blogs. “Hey Mami.” even after a year of being online, keeps finding it’s way into the top 50.

9. “Untold” by Lincoln Jesser

California’s synth-pop prodigy Lincoln Jesser has released “Untold,” the newest track from his forthcoming album “Modern Color.” I’ve been a supporter of this guy for a while, watching him go from a bedroom artist with a soundcloud account, to a bit of a big deal online.  Get on board.