Another week, and Beyoncé still has us shaking – a.k.a. we are no longer bound to Tidal subscriptions or questionable audio rips, Lemonade has come to other streaming services. Beyond the queen, we have (just about) been listening to other excellence this week – here are some of our favourites.
Stormzy – ‘Vossi Bop’
Stormzy is a king. This much we knew already, but the man’s latest finds him rapping “fuck the government and fuck Boris” while wondering London’s streets. The beat is great and also the track prompted him apologising to Maya Jama on Insta for the lyrics about taking girls for coffee – “you’re the only girl I wanna take coffee shop. I was just showing off”. We have no choice but to stan.
Mysie – ‘Rocking Chair’
The debut single from this Streatham artist is plaintive and cinematic, all topped with her honeyed and gorgeous voice. She’s got an EP lined-up this summer, but for now immerse yourself in this gorgeousness.
Joy Crookes – ‘London Mine’
We love Joy, and the soul singer-songwriter’s latest track finds her considering her hometown in all its mundane, hopeless and beautiful glory. “Streets that are tailored to no one / but that’s what makes London mine” she refrains, and it’s magic.
FKA twigs – ‘Cellophane’
FKA twigs is dictionary definition beguiling, and her comeback song and video is testament to that. Strange and strikingly beautiful sonically, the visuals are also a mindblowing insight into her powers of self-actualisation – after making the song, twigs decided it needed a video with pole-dancing, so she spent a year learning how to pole-dance and the result is this perfection. An icon.
Yugen Blakrok – ‘Morbid Abakus’ (COLORS session)
The South African MC’s latest album Anima Mysterium was a cryptic and excellent slice of trip-hop sounds, and this live rendition of ‘Morbid Abakus’ takes it to the next level. Rich instrumentation and her distinct, deeply impressive flow gives this all the hallmarks of a classic – if you’re not familiar with Yugen yet, get to know.
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