New Music Report - Week of January 22nd

FPM

Happy Monday! Kickstart your week (and 2018) ahead by checking out all of the new music that has just been released in this roundup of new songs, new albums, and new artists that you need to be listening to. 

From new albums from Fall Out Boy and Devin Dawson, to new songs from Troye Sivan and The Chainsmokers, to new collaborations from Remy Ma & Chris Brown and Cashmere Cat, Major Lazer & Tory Lanez, to our expert picks, take a look at this week's New Music Report.

NEW RELEASES

Justin Timberlake - "Supplies"

Following the release of his lead Man of the Woods single "Filthy" two weeks ago, Justin Timberlake promised fans that leading up to the release of the full album, he would share three more singles and music videos, beginning January 18th, and that the songs will be released weekly. Well, we now have another new MOTW song called "Supplies," and its politically charged music video. 

Justin first teased the song at the beginning of his Behind: Man of the Woods (The Album) video, giving fans a very brief inside look at a few tracks from the record and how it came together. Listening to the track in the studio, despite the track's obvious trap beat, Justin says "it's a country melody," which ties in with the album's "wide range of sonics" that Justin describes as "modern Americana with 808s." Produced by The Neptunes, in the song Justin sings about being the rock for his lady to rely on because he has the "supplies" for survival. He sings, "I'll be the lie when you can't say it/I'll be the world when you need meI'll be the generator, turn me on when you need electricity/Some sh*ts 'bout to go down/I'll be the one with the level head/The world can end now/Baby, we'll be living in The Walking Dead/'Cause I got supplies."

Drake - "God's Plan" & "Diplomatic Immunity"

Just before midnight on January 19th, Drake revealed via Instagram that two new songs would be coming from him called "God's Plan" and "Diplomatic Immunity," part of a project called Scary Hours, and now the tracks are officially here. 

"God's Plan" was produced by Boi-1da, Cardo, Yung Exclusive, Noah "40" Shebib, and Drake raps about people who want him to fail, knowing that God has a plan that won't allow him do that. He says in the chorus and post-chorus, "Might go down as G.O.D./I go hard on Southside G/I make sure that north-side eat/And still/Bad things/It's a lot of bad things/That they wishin' and wishin' and wishin' and wishin'." Meanwhile, on "Diplomatic Immunity," also produced by Boi-1da, Drake briefly samples Wu-Tang Clan, taking from the intro to their track "Triumph" in the line "I’m the Osiris of this sh*t/Wu-Tang is here forever, motherf***ers." The song itself is about Drake's lifestyle and his own forms of the idea of diplomatic immunity. He raps on the track, "Word to the flags that belong in the hood of my 'Benz/Very presidential, I broke all the codes for zonin' in my residential."

Fall Out Boy - M A N I A 

Fall Out Boy's M A N I A is finally here! After a nearly nine month rollout from the record's lead single "Young and Menace" in April 2017, the guys have officially shared their seventh studio album with fans. M A N I A follows 2015's American Beauty/American Psycho, and features ten new songs, including the five previously released "Young and Menace," "Champion," "The Last of the Real Ones," "HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON'T," and "Wilson (Expensive Mistakes)." The album also includes a collaboration with Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer/songwriter Burna Boy

Fall Out Boy - 'M A N I A'

Rita Ora - "Proud"

Late last year, Rita Ora, through her partnership with Absolut's The Open Mic Project sought out inspiration for a new song about acceptance. She asked fans to submit personal stories about some of the moments in their lives that they've felt accepted, welcomed and loved for who they are, and now, just over a week away from the 2018 Grammys, the song -- "Proud" -- is finally here. "Proud" is all about being proud of who you are in every way. In the first verse she sings, "You're walking tall and now you found your freedom/Don't break your spirit now you've got that feeling."

Rita recently told Billboard of her favorite lyrics in the song, "I love the little bit of confidence and cockiness you get [with 'Proud' lines like], 'Go ahead, beautiful, you’re looking so good/So good, finger to the haters like you love them so good.' I can’t wait for people to put up their middle fingers while they listen to this song like, 'Yeah!'"

The Chainsmokers - "Sick Boy"

The Chainsmokers are switching gears to something a little more serious compared to their party anthems with the release of “Sick Boy.” Courtesy of a piano-charged melody, Drew Taggart takes on some political themes on the pair’s newest offering, asking just why America is the way it is. As the song continues, it becomes crystal clear that the song is only heading down darker places. The track was produced in collaboration with Shaun Frank and is the first taste of the EDM heavyweight’s supposed rebranding for the 2018 year. 

Keith Urban - "Parallel Line"

Keith Urban just announced his 10th studio album Graffiti U (to be released sometime this year), the followup to 2016's Ripcord. And keeping the excitement going, the country star released a new song called "Parallel Line," which follows his female empowerment single "Female" released back in November. On the sweet love song that is "Parallel Line," Keith sings about the moment a couple commits to each other. In the chorus, he sings, "So come on and/Take a little bit of my/Heart tonight/No, I literally really don’t mind/Just please don’t misplace it/Take a little bit of myHeart tonight/No, baby be mine now/Baby, be mine now/Maybe it’s time we put our hearts in a parallel line."

Troye Sivan - "The Good Side"

After his uptempo sounds of “My My My!” Troye Sivan is turning down the notch on things with the acoustic-charged “The Good Side.” Over delicate production from Gorres, the singer delivers an ode to the core of love. Refreshing to Sivan followers, the track has drawn comparisons to some of Sufjan Steven’s work on the Call Me by Your Name soundtrack. It's one of the two songs that the pop star brought to his debut appearance of Saturday Night Live

Remy Ma featuring Chris Brown - "Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)"

Following the release of the hard-hitting "Wake Me Up" featuring Lil Kim, Remy Ma has returned with her second 7 Winters & 6 Summers single called "Melanin Magic (Pretty Brown)" which is a romantic ode to loving your own body and, yes, it does feature a sample of Mint Condition's 1991 smash, "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes).” While the three-minute cut hears Breezy offering listeners with the coo of his silky vocals on the retro hook and his own verse, Remy focuses her bars on authenticity and her figure. "I'ma real rider, rap crown taker/ Ass so soft because it's not fake/ I can show you how to move in a room full of whole b*tches/ He met me and now he don't even know bitches," she spits atop the Dallas Austin-produced beat. Now, if you remember correctly, the recent Columbia Records signee first teased the star-studded collab when she paid a visit to TRL in November and told the audience that she was in the lab with Breezy.

Bella Thorne - "Burn So Bright" (From The Midnight Sun)

Bella Thorne stars in the upcoming film Midnight Sun, alongside Patrick Schwarzenegger, but she's also contributing several songs to the movie's soundtrack and one of them is the newly-released "Burn So Bright." On the uplifting pop anthem, Bella sings in the chorus, "Hey, we burn so bright/Making other people come to life/Hey, the darkest light/Can't stop me and you tonight/Say hey, we burn so brightInfinitely the city lights/Hey, for when your heart/Shining down like stars tonight." The Midnight Sun and its soundtrack will be released on March 23rd.

Bella Thorne - "Burn So Bright"

A$AP Ferg - "Family"

A$AP Ferg is known to get the party turnt with his hot tracks. But, he can get real when he needs to, as well. In his newly released song “Family,” the A$AP Mob member filled us in on his family tree. By rapping about his mother, father, grandmother, and uncles, Ferg welcomed us into his home. "My mama always caught me in and out with a shorty, she beat me for actin' naughty/And my daddy, he a savage/F**king b**ches, the baddest and buy a whip just to crash it," Ferg rapped on the Frankie P beat. "And Pschyo was a Pschyo with a deuce in his Timbs/My grandma had the arthritis, holdin' the hammer (Yeah)/She kept it in the mattress, kept my unc' out the slammer/The other had a Caesar with some pants like Hammer/She kick her legs up, she a African dancer."

Nipsey Hussle featuring YG - "Last Time That I Checc'd"

Nipsey Hussle premiered the music video for his latest single “Last Time That I Checc’d” featuring YG. This song is off of his upcoming Victory Lap album, which is scheduled to hit stores next month. In the visual, Nip and YG stunt with two so fresh and so clean Lamborghinis, as they rock out in their favorite colors: red and blue. "When I drop, you know I’m bout to f--- the city up,” Nip spits, as five gold chains hang low from his neck. The beat definitely gives you that W coast feel, too. Peep the music video for the banger ASAP.

Young Thug featuring Trouble & Shad Da God - "MLK"

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Young Thug dropped a new track called “MLK” featuring Trouble and Shad. On the song, the recording artist rap/sings about the dreams that he has. “I was havin’ a dream I was whippin’ a Rolls-Royce,” he sings. “And I bought everything that I want / Turned to Martin Luther King overnight.” When speaking about police relations in the urban community, Thugga continues: “I pray to God I die up in my sleep/ I pray my deaf brother don’t run into the police / ‘Cause you tellin’ him to put his hands up, he can’t hear / Ain’t goin’ for deceased / These rookie police need to get trained, even in they sleep.”

Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen - "These Days"

Rudimental has gathered a star-studded list of acts like Macklemore, Jess Gylnne and Dan Caplen for a song that sounds like an instant classic from their discography. Featured on Rudimental's third which album, which will arrive later this year via Asylum and Atlantic Records, the track is a feel good cut and has you remembering the good ol' times that you had with your ex, friends and more. "With this new album, it’s kind of been how we grew up making music, you know, being at home, coming to the studio, cycling or driving," Piers Agget told V Magazine. "We get stuck in the studio and jam together and write the music kind of old-school, because before the last two albums we didn’t really have time to do that. It’s nice to have time to do that on this record."

Justine Skye - Ultraviolet

With a total of three EPs and a mixtape under her belt, Justine Skye finally released her long-anticipated debut album, Ultraviolet. The singer has been in the game for years now. In fact, Skye dropped her first EP five years ago. So, we’re so happy that we finally have an official project from the Roc Nation talent. While speaking to ELLE about her new album’s name, Skye said: “Other than the obvious (purple is her signature color), it’s like the theme of my life. There’s different shades of purple, and ultraviolet, I feel, is the most vibrant and most powerful, and it’s the highest frequency. It also has made me more confident, because I know the color purple makes me feel more comfortable. This specific shade of purple just exudes a level of extreme confidence, letting me know that I got this.”

Justine Skye - 'Ultraviolet'

Dave East - P2

Last August, Harlem’s own Dave East dropped his Paranoia EP.  Then, at the end of the year, he surprisingly gave us his Karma tape. Now, the realest rapper in the game right now has blessed us with the sequel to his first Paranoia project named P2. This new joint is laced with 15 songs and features the likes of T.I., Lloyd Banks, Marsha Ambrosius, Tory Lanez and more. We can’t believe we’re saying this, but P2 is 1000% better than Paranoia, which is crazy because Paranoia was fire. Even East agrees, being that he said so at the first stop of the “P2 Tour” at Irving Plaza on the project’s release date, Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Dave East - 'Paranoia 2'

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Devin Dawson

Devin Dawson - 'Dark Horse'

A few years ago, a video mashing up Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" and "Style" went absolutely viral. The video was from two singer/songwriters -- one of them being budding country artist Devin Dawson. The 28-year-old, originally from Orangevale, California released his debut single "All On Me" in February 2017, and then went out on the road with Maren Morris on her "Hero Tour." Now, with the arrival of 2018, Devin has released his debut full-length album Dark Horse. Dawson's very first album features twelve songs, including "All on Me," and other previously released songs like "Symptoms," "Asking For A Friend," and the record's title track "Dark Horse."

Devin's music is unique to the country genre, and he's influenced by many different types of genres. Having played in and toured with metal band Shadow of Colossus after high school, he tells iHeartRadio, that is "kind of like a foundation for influencing the music that [he] makes." However, Devin also grew up listening to country, soul, and R&B, which has also noticeably had an impact on him. 

Dawson says of his new album, "I like to describe it as a new Nashville sound. There's country in the way I let you in. There’s soul in my melodies and voice. And there’s a lot of rock in the energy – I'm not afraid to get heavy. I was like '[Jay], let's do whatever we want. Let’s make it dark, let's make it sexy. Let's say things that people aren't saying right now.'"

Learn more about Devin Dawson and his debut album Dark Horse HERE.

EXPERT PICKS

Nicole's Picks:

Jorja Smith featuring Stormzy - "Let Me Down"

You know you're obsessed with a song when you cannot stop listening to it ... and I can't stop listening to Jorja Smith's "Let Me Down." Jorja is on everybody's lists of artists to keep your eye on this year, and I whole heartedly agree. Last year, she was featured on Drake's More Life mixtape ("Get It Together"), and the British singer/songwrtier is kicking off 2018 with this gorgeous single featuring grime/hip hop artist Stormzy. I don't know what I love more about this song, Jorja's beautiful voice or the heartbreaking lyrics. Over emotional piano riffs and slow rhythm, Jorja sings in the bridge, "Yeah, I tried, but I just can't give you up/Wonder why is it that I'm not good enough?/Some kind of hold over me/I've got you to let me down."

Jorja has said "Let Me Down" is about "meaning very little to someone but being okay with that even though it hurts," and that she was in the mindset of writing a Bond theme song while she was creating this track. YES, Jorja ... I wouldn't mind a Bond theme song from you. Especially with this cinematic music video:

Mat Kearney - "Kings & Queens"

I'm so ready for Mat Kearney to release his new album, because every song he's released so far has been awesome ... including this new one "Kings & Queens." Mat wrote this song with Judah & The Lion's Judah Akers at Mat's home studio, and the humble idea behind the track is that you only need that one special person beside you to feel like "Kings & Queens." Aw. Mat sings in the chorus, "We don't need no jet plane feel like we can fly/We don't need no gold chain just to watch it shine/Twenty four carat lies we don't got the time/We'll be Kings & Queens in our own mind."

In a video posted to Mat's Twitter, he explained of the track, "I wrote this song in this studio on this piano with my buddy Judah Akers from the band Judah & the Lion. He sat at this piano and started playing these chords, and he's like, 'man, I have this melody.'" He added, "We started singing, and we came up with this title, 'Kings & Queens in our own mind.'"

Follow Nicole on Twitter: @NicoleMastr0

James' Picks:

Tinashe featuring Offset - "No Drama"

Just as she teased, Tinashe has unleashed one of her three new tracks and the release sees her exploring her urban roots with the help of Offset of Migos on the swag-filled cut song called "No Drama.” At almost three-and-half-minutes, the song, which dropped on Thursday (January 18), is set to appear on her sophomore effort, JoyRide, and hears the budding star singing about the lavish lifestyle of a pop star as well as her urge to steer clear of any drama. Produced by StarGate, the brooding cut fits well into the trap-filled climate and, truth be told, it's quite refreshing to see the star return to her urban roots after the release of "Flame." Offset's appearance on the track also offers some buzz, particularly with his name at the top of most hip-hop blogs. Despite leaking a day before the track was released, Tinashe will still appear on TRL on Friday to premiere the video for the track. 

Cashmere Cat featuring Major Lazer & Tory Lanez - "Miss You"

Two of music's biggest producers, Major Lazer and Cashmere Cat, have joined forces for a mega-collab alongside Tory Lanez and the three-minute cut is aligned with all of their specialties. Co-written by Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco, the track is ready for the dance floors and hears Swavey singing about all the time that took to obtain a lover. “I AM jumping up and down in bed because miss you is out now,” tweeted Cashmere. “a very most special thank you to benny blanco, ed sheeran and palmistry for working on this song with us !!!!!” "Miss You" is the latest of Tory’s Cashmere Cat collaborations after the likes of Selena Gomez (“Trust Nobody”) and 2 Chainz (“Throw Myself a Party”).

Follow James on Twitter: @newyorkinstinct

Isha's Picks:

Keith Sweat – “All The Ways” featuring K-CI

Keith Sweat is back at it again! The R&B veteran is giving us all the feels with his brand new single called "How Many Ways" featuring K-CI from Jodeci. As Sweat put it on social media, "How Many Ways" is "for the lovers." Hearing his and K-CI's voices together on the sensual beat, you won't be able to stop grooving and singing along with them. This is that real music for the grown and sexy crowd. What y'all youngins' know about this? "How many ways, do I have to show you? How much I love you," the iHeartRadio's "The Sweat Hotel" personality sings on the chorus. "And how many ways do I have to say, I'll always be there for you."

Dave East – "I Found Keisha"

Dave East’s P2 mixtape is full of heat from beginning to end. Hearing one song after the other on the project, the MC shows out with his spitting skills. East knows he’s as real as they come and he’s making sure you know this, too. Even though all of the tracks on P2 are everything, we have to make “I Found Keisha” one of our expert picks. For all of those longtime fans of East, we know his Kairi Chanel track “Keisha” and the story behind it. This chick that East met ended up robbing him blind and he’s been out for revenge ever since. On “I Found Keisha,” we finally learn how the rapper gets his payback… and it’s gritty.

Follow Isha on Twitter: @IshaThorpe


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