Happy New Music Friday! This week we are blessed with amazing music across genres from The Japanese House to Caamp to Tori Kelly to Khalid and Alicia Keys to Drake to Tim McGraw. Plus there’s so many other smaller artists that deserve our attention a well!

If you’re new here, I make weekly playlists where I pick my favorite songs from each week’s releases and I write about them. I also curate a Spotify playlist to go along with them. I’m all about helping people find their new favorite artists and songs so if you have any suggestions let me know! 

I also made an Instagram for all my music invested peeps so feel free to check it out @kasualpicks on Instagram. I’ll be sharing my favorites in each genre on that platform so feel free to check it out! On here, however, I’ll designate my top favorites with an asterisk “*”.

Let’s get into the best music released the week of Friday August 14, 2020. You can find the playlist HERE.

INDIE & CHILL

*Snail: BENEE

This week BENEE dropped the cutest, catchiest, quarantine-inspired tune and we’ve been obsessed with it since! A cute and bouncy upbeat track, Snail is inspired by BENEE’s fascination with snails that was fostered by the COVID-19 lockdown. it’s the perfect song to dance around your room to so we’ll be playing it on repeat for the remainder of quarantine to keep our serotonin levels up!

Find more reviews like this one daily on our new music Instagram!

Candid: Whitney – Bank Head, A.M. AM

This new album from Whitney is a masterpiece. Each and every song would be the perfect addition to your morning playlist to start your day off right.

*Chewing Cotton Wool EP: The Japanese House – Something Has To Change, Dionne (feat. Justin Vernon), Chewing Cotton Wool

This week The Japanese House has blessed us with a new EP that included two new beautiful songs. Each of the songs has the ability to transport you to a feeling of tranquility and peace, especially the title track.

*littlebitwild: Golden Vessel, Mallrat

according to Golden Vessel, “the song is about caring for someone no matter where they’re at. Even through the chaos and poor decisions.” The song brings on feelings of nostalgia as Golden Vessel and Mallrat’s voices are entwined yet dancing around each other in this catchy track. 

*too pretty for sunshine: prettyboyshav – ultraviolet, supernova, 80’s

This new album from prettyboyshav is everything we could’ve asked for and more as a collection of his best songs. While we have included most of these tracks in previous playlists, we just had to include some of our favorites in this week to celebrate the release.

*Djesse Vol. 3: Jacob Collier – Sleeping On My Dreams

This week Collier brings a whole album of his unique sound. My favorite track is “Sleeping On My Dreams” because of how much it makes me want to get up and dance.

Video Game: Sufjan Stevens

On this second single from his forthcoming album, Stevens wants listeners to know that their value is worth more than any likes, follows and comments could ever bring.

Rooftop Dancing: Sylvan Esso

In this new song about dancing, Esso sings wistfully over the sounds of plucked guitar and background noise to create a romantic track.

Fairbanks, Alaska: The Front Bottoms

The way the words Fairbanks Alaska just roll off the tongue when singing along to this song is something else.

Fall, Fall, Fall: Caamp

Check out Caamp’s new song for the ultimate fall vibes on your Friday.

*Hey Love: filious, The Kooks

The newest addition to your “surf n skate” playlist.

Palm Tree on Avenue G: Summer Salt

*I’m Sorry: Peach Tree Rascals

This song is SO GOOD. It’s all types of groovy and fun.

ROCK ON

*Dying Breed: The Killers

The obsession that I have with The Killers new track is unreal. This song is perfect for dancing alone in your room at 3AM.

Over It: Never Loved

This song from this alt-rock group is all about being over all of life’s mundane tasks which is very relatable this quarantine.

sugar blind: KiNG MALA

This new alt-pop track is a fun, carefree bop from the El Paso native. It’s a direct comparison between craving something sweet and wanting someone which is a feeling we can all relate to. KiNG MALA has plans to release an EP this fall and we couldn’t be more excited to see what this artist does next! 

Find more reviews like this one daily on our new music Instagram!

POP AND BOPS

*Middle Of The Road: Chaz Cardigan

An upbeat bop perfect for any car, running or workout playlist, this song will have you jumping along to the beat.

*Hideaway: Cassidy Louis

While this track may have been released last Saturday, we haven’t stopped listening to it all week! While the full EP Technicolor from this New Orleans based artist is set to be released Sept. 5, this new track is all about love. It’s catchy and addicting and all forms of colorful. Wouldn’t we all just love to go hideaway with the one we love most?

Frustrated: Lauren Sanderson

With her powerful voice and catchy rock-type beat, Sanderson proves she’s unstoppable force with her new track “Frustrated.” Add this new song to your late night driving playlist so you can crank it up as you drive through the city at 1AM.

*Polished: Skofee

The second single from her forthcoming EP Polished released on Sept. 18, “Polished” is a combination of honest lyrics combined with Skofee’s addicting voice and a simple guitar. The perfect combination.

handle me: Silver Sphere

The lyrics, “It’s your loss if you can’t handle me” are EVERYTHING. Plus the cover art is a big mood. Add this to your girl empowerment anthem playlist.

*If I Hated You: FLETCHER

“If I Hated You” is a pretty self explanatory song about struggling to move on after breaking things off with an ex that you don’t have negative feelings towards. According to FLETCHER, it’s about “moving on and growing, doing all the things I need to do and the reasons why I can’t be with them right now.” The S(EX) Tapes is set to be released 9/18 and we couldn’t be more ready for it.

Find more reviews like this one daily on our new music Instagram!

Solitude EP: Tori Kelly – Value, Don’t Take Me Home, Unbothered

This new quarantine inspired EP from Tori Kelly is full of beautiful and inspiring tracks to fuel your at-home activities. With “Value” all about knowing your worth and “Unbothered” empowering you, Kelly showcases her powerful vocals and ear for catchy beats with this new five-track EP. While this is placed in the pop category, I would say that it gives off more R&B vibes.

tonight: Alaina Castillo

Hearing Castillo in the studio recording this track with what sounds like an irritated producer during the song is golden.

OBSESSED: Elli Moore

*Hard On Yourself: Charlie Puth, blackbear

This week, Puth and blackboard team up to release a track all about loving yourself and being patient with yourself. Add this to your quarantine playlist to remind yourself to not be so hard on yourself and for some extra self love.

Midnight Sky: Miley Cyrus

In her first new song of 2020, Cyrus sings of freedom. She also dropped a self-directed music video which can be found HERE.

talking in my sleep: Heather Sommer

Can’t find a boo? Sommer has got you covered with this relatable song about struggling to find her person.

Giants: Matt Maeson

slow summer: Zachary Knowles

A summer chill pop song about love.

Perfectly Imperfect: Declan J Donovan

A love ballad that’ll have you feeling all the feels. This song would be the perfect wedding song.

you!: LANY

While you may have seen this song across New Music Friday playlists, it’s impossible to separate this new release from LANY from their current lack of statement concerning a member of their team and friend using his platform inappropriately by DMing underage fans. By being more concerned about keeping a “good” image to promote their new album and ignoring the questioning from fans, many fans are left wondering if they care about their audience at all. At first listen, this new song sonically sounds great with the hard-hitting drums and guitar but lyrically, it just feels very weak compared to their usual style. So much potential wasted.

Lied: WizTheMc

R&viBe

*So Done (feat. Khalid): Alicia Keys

A match made in heaven, Keys and Khalid come together to create this soothing and empowering track about “living how [you] want.”

*Take Care of You (feat. Syd): Charlotte Day Wilson, Syd

Wilson’s and Syd’s voices perfectly complement each other in this new R&B track.

Better: Ricky Reed, Leon Bridges, Kiana Ledé

Slide (with Gunna): Coi Leray, Gunna

RAP SNAP CRACKLE POP

*K.I.D.S. (Deluxe): Mac Miller – Ayye, Back In The Day

New Mac Miller so you know I had to include it. The deluxe version of this 2010 album includes two new songs, one an upbeat bop and one slower, chill one. With every posthumous release, we further appreciate the immense, underrated talent that Miller had.

*Poptarts!: Gali Giri

This song is insanely catchy and the chorus will be stuck in your head for at least a full 24 hours.

Automatic: Jack Harlow

With quick rhymes and a consistent beat, this new song by Jack Harlow would be the best background track for any highlights video to show you dominating the game against the competition.

*Seasons: Ollie

The ultimate chill rap song from this week with Ollie’s smooth vocals and bars over some drums.

Laugh Now Cry Later (feat. Lil Durk): Drake, Lil Durk

Your typical Drake bop with some trumpets to move the song along.

ELECTRO DANCE + RAVE SZN

No Time (feat. Wiz Khalifa and PRINCE$$ ROSIE): Cheat Codes, DVBBS, Wiz Khalifa, PRINCE$$ ROSIE

The ultimate collaboration track this week, this new track is the perfect blend of rap and EDM.

*Nights Like This – PBH & Jack Remix: Loud Luxury, CID, PBH & Jack

since i was young (with kesha) – win and woo remix: Wrabel, Win and Woo, Kesha

Can you imagine screaming this song at a festival with your friends? I could and it would be so dope.

Follow (with Jeremih): Kito, ZHU, Jeremih

Make You Mine: Tensnake

If I could shuffle, I would to this song.

Smells Like Teen Spirit: R3HAB, Ambo Shepherd

Buggy: Yotto, Lane 8

Need some new techno beats to fuel your study grind as we move into the fall semester? Look no further.

YEE HAW

*7 Summers: Morgan Wallen

Looking to sit on your deck reminiscing and talking with your loved ones as the sun goes down on a summer night? Or maybe you’re more into wistfully looking over a lake by yourself? Morgan Wallen has got you covered.

Young Man’s Blues: Parker McCollum

That’s What I’m Talkin’ Bout: James Barker Band

Your significant other talking about how much they love you when you’re not there? Adorable.

7500 OBO: Tim McGraw

A song about heartbreak and a truck. You know the vibes.

Under The Sun: Ruston Kelly – Pressure, Rubber

Rancho Fiesta Sessions: Jon Pardi – Honky Tonk Man,

One his new album, Pardi releases his cover of “Honky Tonk Man” that closely rivals Johnny Horton’s original.

And that’s it! I hope you enjoy and find some of your new favorite songs and artists from this playlist because I know I have. Plus I hope you discover some tunes to fuel your quarantine activities! And wear your mask over your nose! 

Don’t forget to follow me on instagram to keep up to date about all things music or to be featured on an upcoming playlist!(@kasualpicks)

As always, you can find this week’s playlist HERE!

see you friday! 🙂

kasual kook x

ps. want me to check out your music? find me on social media @kasual_kook or email me @ kasualkook@gmail.com

pps. don’t forget to follow the playlist and share it with others! let me know what your favorite songs are! if you think i’m missing a genre of music you’d like to hear, let me know! i’d love to broaden my horizons

find other volumes and their playlists HERE. want to listen to a specific genre? find genre playlists HERE.

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