Happy New Music Friday! So many highly anticipated projects were released this week in the form of full EPs, albums and more! From the EP In A Dream from Troye Sivan to the albums everything means nothing by blackbear and Imploding The Mirage by The Killers, each project is unique and worthy of placement in your favorite playlist. This playlist includes our favorite tracks from this week’s releases that we think you HAVE to listen to, but don’t be shy, check out the full projects to have a magical music filled Friday.
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 21, 2020. Find the playlist HERE.
INDIE & CHILL
Heartbeat: The Hails
This week the Hails surprise release the last single before they drop a new EP next week. With dreamy vocals and a catchy melody, we’ll be keeping 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 on repeat for the rest of the week. The first EP from this Gainesville/Miami group is expected on August 25 and we can’t wait.
Find more reviews like this one daily on our new music Instagram!
Live at Wvfs: Easy Comes Home – 74 – Live
Bringing us new music from Tallahassee, Florida, Easy Comes Home released an EP full of tracks that were recorded Live at Wvfs, the official radio station of Florida State University. Our favorite track is “74-Live” for its simple piano and chill yet groovy vibes.
Effortless: Forrest. – Start, Backwards, LML, Sunlight
A member of the group Surfaces, Forrest. released an album alone that’s filled with happy beats that are a perfect addition to any morning playlist.
AUGUST: Lewis Del Mar – Fever (CH.1), The Ceiling
Le Chateau: Ginger Root
The vibes of this song are IMMACULATE. “Le Chateau” was born from Ginger Root’s mild obsession with 60s French music. It’s about “a theoretical place you could go to help you escape from your problems” and we need to get there asap.
*Lighthouse: Armon Jay
With his voice standing out from the violin like a lighthouse at night, Armon Jay sings about someone you love being the light in your life. He describes the feeling as “I can physically be around the one’s I love and yet my mind and true self is somewhere else in a dark place. And that’s when I truly need their light to guide me back.” This new track is absolutely beautiful and a must listen from this week’s releases. Find the music video HERE.
Regress: Andrew Applepie – Cow Stuck In Electric Fence
Yes this song sounds exactly like how it’s described in the title.
*Sad4good (feat. Cautious Clay & HXNS): Llusion, Cautious Clay, HXNS
*Gonna Be Okay: Tiffany Day
Getting over a breakup? Tiffany Day has got you covered with this positive and uplifting track.
rest up: boy pablo
The third single off of a future album out in October, boy pablo released “rest up” as well as “people” this week. Both are slower tracks, especially the introspective “people.”
A word becomes a sound: Kate Bollinger
Bollinger’s soft voice and these
Soft Spot: Ralph Castelli
at times like this: Jacquie, ZEKE
The ultimate rainy day relaxing song.
Hurt: Arlo Parks
I’m Lost: Elohim
now rave!
Seeing Other People: Donovan Woods
In Bloom EP: Johnny Ashby – Never Let You Go, In Bloom, SOS
With inspiring lyrics and upbeat anthems, Johnny Ashby releases his new In Bloom EP. While we’re all in a time of uncertainty right now, Ashby’s new EP provides us with uplifting songs filled with hope. His lyrics speak of finding connection, new beginnings and coming together while strong guitars and drums make you want to dance with those you love most.
Devil’s Advocate: The Neighbourhood
lmho: flor
“laying my heart out” might be one of my favorite flor songs of all time. This song would hit different turned up on a late night drive.
ROCK ON
I Want To Be With You: chloe moriondo
New Age Norms 2: Cold War Kids – Who’s Gonna Love Me Now, You Already Know
*Hold Me Down: The Happy Fits – Hold Me Down, No Instructions
The Happy Fits come at us this week with some happy hits! Their new EP, Hold Me Down, is full of upbeat rock songs that’ll have you dancing in your room and will be the perfect addition for your driving playlist. Turn the volume up and get excited for the days when you can hear them and their new forthcoming album live.
Imploding The Mirage: The Killers – My Own Soul’s Warning, Dying Breed, Caution, Lightning Fields (feat. k.d. lang), Fire In Bone, Running Towards A Place
This week The Killers release their new album, Imploding The Mirage. It’s a combination of old school rock and a newer sound that’ll appeal to any audience. Every song is so good it’s hard to pick a favorite.
POP AND BOPS
*In A Dream EP: Troye Sivan – Take Yourself Home, Easy, STUD, Rager Teenager, IN A DREAM
While we could’ve included his whole EP on our playlist, we saved you some time because we included the singles from Sivan’s new EP on our other playlists. This EP features a mixture of sad lyrics with that dance beat we know and love. It’s definitely his best body of work yet!
*Feel: FLETCHER
With this emotional new single from her forthcoming project, FLETCHER wows us yet again with her powerful vocals and honest lyrics. She described it best when she tweeted about the track saying the feel can be described as “sitting on the shower floor crying.” Prepare to get into your feels with this one.
One and Lonely: CXLOE
What Makes A Woman: Katy Perry
Katy Perry really went off with the lyrics in this chill pop hit.
*summer: Nightly
“When I think of summer I think of you”? An ELITE compliment.
I Don’t Want To Make It Alone, I Want To Make It With You: beaux – Look How We Started, Best Friends, Get On With Your Life, I Don’t Want To Make It Alone, I Want To Make It With You
This whole album by beaux is a masterpiece full of chill bops and songs about love.
*Brick By Brick: American Authors
Water: Ryland James
Too Good To Lose: Justin Jesso
It Falls Apart: Bryce Vine
everything means nothing: blackbear – hot girl bummer, me & ur ghost, i feel bad, sobbing in cabo, half alive, if i were u (with Lauv), smile again
This long anticipated album from blackbear was filled with singles that shaped our summer sound. The whole project is filled with upbeat pop songs that are actually sadder than they appear to be if you listen closely.
Upside Down: JVKE
TikTok has taken over my life.
*Baby: Madison Beer
A fresh and sexy summer bop for your Friday, “Baby” will have you feeling confident.
*Good Enough: Charlie Hanson
With this new track Hanson wants listeners to know that it’s okay to feel down about yourself and that you’re not alone when you feel this way.
Lie To Me: Vera Blue
*Marilyn Monroe: Astrid S
A song all about empowerment and living your life as a woman “Marilyn Monroe” deserves a spot on our women got me feeling empowered playlist. You do you queen.
*Dance Like Nobody’s Watching: Iggy Azalea, Tinashe
*Don’t Care: Rich Brian
ELECTRO DANCE + RAVE SZN
Are We Having Any Fun Yet? – ayokay Remix: Larkins, ayokay
I’m obsessed with the original version of this song and with ayokay so I knew this new release had be something good. And it was even better than expected.
*Weapon (feat. BOI): Pink Zinc, BOI
We appreciate Pink Zinc flipping the mic on this one.
No Therapy: Felix Jaehn, Nea, Bryn Christopher
Melanin: Michael Brun, Kah-Lo
This song is how summertime feels.
*Baby It’s You: London Grammar
Tick Tock (feat. 24kGoldn): Clean Bandit, Mabel, 24kGoldn
Live Without Your Love (with Steve Lacy) – Mark Broom Remix: Love Regenerator, Steve Lacy, Calvin Harris, Mark Broom
While we love the original mix of this track, the remix is even better.
One More Night: Lost Frequencies, Easton Corbin
A mixture of country with some chill beats, this new track is unexpected perfection.
YEE HAW
*BOYFRIEND: HARDY
The way that I thought this was a break up song at first….check out this new love song from HARDY to understand my confusion.
Here On Earth: Tim McGraw – L.A., Chevy Spaceship, Here On Earth
Tim McGraw and space? A crossover I did not expect but also love? Every song is so good so definitely check out this full album for yourself.
Getting Over Him: Lauren Alaina, Jon Pardi
This collaboration between Alaina and Pardi is all about having fun with a rebound after a breakup.
KING: Tucker Beathard – One Upper
RAP SNAP CRACKLE POP
Ocean: Wifisfuneral, Smoove’L
SMOKE: Just Juice
Risky: Money Man, Jackboy
R&viBe
Entrepreneur (feat. JAY-Z): Pharrell Williams, JAY-Z
We all know how much Pharrell loves those breath beats in his songs and his falsetto. This BLM inspired song is a bop with funk synths and repetitive yet catchy phrases.
Super Bounce: Duckwrth, EARTHGANG
Golden Ticket (feat. Masego & Common): Brasstracks, Masego, Common
I never thought Willy Wonka could have such a vibe.
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.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1baY4NgP15D5ilFfpQCSze?si=wFmuSQuiSbWAhljPvLT3Og
KASUAL KOOK 