Photography via Beyoncé / YouTube
It’s hard to think about or process other music when the Cats trailer has so firmly etched itself – maybe “scarred” is a better word – onto my brain.
But the show must go on, it’s a big week for releases and at least Beyoncé has blessed a movie soundtrack that has us in a more positive space about felines.
Beyoncé – The Lion King: The Gift
Sure, it’s kind of stressful that this album interludes from a movie most of us haven’t watched yet, but maybe that’s the point – getting us hyped to go see live-action Lion King. Curated to perfection, with the likes of Yemi Alade, Tierra Whack, Mr Eazi and Ms Blue Ivy, similar to Kendrick’s Black Panther album, this feels like it’ll be a moment in of itself. [Full album here]
Kano – ‘Trouble’, ‘Class of Deja’
The king has returned with straight fire, plus a harrowing short film about the families left behind by youth violence. Whether you watch the whole thing or just stream the tracks, that switch-up between Kano and Ghetts on ‘Class of Deja’ is fully phenomenal (also, of course, shout out to D Double E) – all three on this one hard track feels really special.
Willow – WILLOW
Can we please take a minute for the underrated consistency of Willow Smith? Every release she’s had over the past few years have been low-key solid, and this latest release is no exception: celestial, sprawling and kind of eerily romantic, Willow’s beautiful vocal harmonies top it all like some spooky 60s pop girl group or even a little like Angel Olsen. [Full album here]
Nnena – ‘Lovesick’
The Cleveland-based rapper-singer’s debut on JJ Abrams’ new record label (yes, sci-fi director JJ Abrams), is a melodic, exquisitely-delivered ode to rebuilding yourself after heartbreak.
HAWA – ‘Kill Some’
The latest from this classically-trained New Yorker gleams with delicate beats and her smooth, cold but sweet rap delivery.
You can follow the Five on it playlist on Spotify:
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