Happy New Music Friday! I’m super excited to say that after many years on this blog, I have my own domain! Shout out to WordPress for that random flash sale. I also plan to change up the look and feel of my site (again I know lol) to make it easier to navigate and just a little more organized. This week was fulllll of new projects like full albums from Jaden, lovelytheband, Disclosure and Katy Perry who dropped her newest album and gave birth to her daughter this week as well. So as always I picked my favorites but I definitely recommend listening to the full bodies of work for the full ~*experience*~

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 top songs from the week of Friday, August 28, 2020. Find the playlist HERE.

INDIE & CHILL

*He Seems Upset: The Hails – Sippin on the Daylight, Situations, Heartbeat, Heartbeat Pt. 2, Younger

This new debut EP from The Hails is everything we’ve been waiting for and more. Simply put, it’s a masterpiece. Every song seamlessly transitions into the next to create a groovy and dreamy collection of wonderfully crafted songs intertwined with intriguing interludes. By each of the members drawing on their own influences from different genres, it’s easy to see how The Hails set themselves apart from the indie-pop box and bring us something new. Play this EP on repeat this weekend to keep the vibes high and enter The Hails’ world, one you just might not want to ever leave.

Behind Closed Doors: Fox Jackson

The perfect follow up to The Hails’ new EP, this new track from London based singer/songwriter Fox Jackson is an intoxicating blend of funk, soul and pop, featuring wah-wah guitars, a seductive bass line and Vulfpeck-esque lo-fi drums intertwined with his effortless vocals. This jazz-inspired tune narrates the feeling of being shut out of a relationship and wanting your partner to be more open.

Patience: Froogle

Are You Bored Yet? (feat Clairo) – Mura Masa remix: Wallows, Clairo, Mura Masa

The original song will remain superior in my mind forever, however this remix does challenge some things. But making Clairo’s vocals even airier and (somehow even) prettier and the addition of some new beats, Mura Masa has created a remix that’ll soothe our ears after listening to the original on repeat.

*Midnight Drives: Munn, hannah hausman

Muun and hausman’s voices pair perfectly together to create a cute love song that’s perfect for that late night drive.

So Much More: Xavier Omär

The VIBES. This song is beautiful and combines a simple beat with Omär’s layered vocals that harmonize perfectly with each other. Is this your everyday new release? No, it’s so much more.

*down: Mokita

Feeling down? This new track from Mokita feels like the perfect hug to make you feel better.

*Lemonade: Circa Waves, Alfie Templeman

*Fluff: jame

Obsessed with this new release from jame.

rue: girl in red

Love the fact that girl in red is taking over the world.

Out of Body: NEEDTOBREATHE – Mercy’s Shore, Alive

The new album from this band from south Carolina is full of upbeat songs that would elevate your running playlist or driving playlist to the next level.

Am I Ever Gonna See You Again: Tyson Kelly

While this song may sound like an upbeat track that’ll have you bopping your head along to the beat, if you listen closer you’ll hear the ponderous lyrics telling a different story. According to Kelly, this song narrates a fictitious yet realistic situation that a traveling musician may face about “going out in the world and meeting someone you really connect with, spending time together and then having to leave for the next city and wondering if you’ll ever reconnect. In this case the song is written from the fan’s point of view.”

*House With No Mirrors: Sasha Sloan

The honesty and relatability of this song is insane and hits home for many when discussing how we see ourselves physically and how it affects our life. The lyrics are close to bringing me to tears if we’re being honest. This week, Sasha Sloan doesn’t hold back when showcasing her amazing songwriting ability. According to Sloan on Instagram, “I’m so critical of myself and my body and I often wonder what I would be like if I spent less time worrying about my appearance and more time worrying about what really matters.” We feel you queen.

CTV3 Cool Tape Vol. 3: Jaden – Falling For You with Justin Bieber, Rainbow Bap, Boys And Girls

This new album is full of a mixture of chill indie (?) with chill rap. Jaden’s collaboration with Justin Bieber is a great one that I would not have expected. There’s not much I can say about this new album that would encapsulate all of the (many) songs on it but my top three are listed above and I encourage you to listen and decide for yourself.

ROCK ON

What Could Be Better: The Happy Fits – The Garden, She Wants Me (To Be Loved),

I raved about The Happy Fits last week and now their album is here!!!!

Those Aren’t Mountains: Those Aren’t Mountains – Josh’s Song (Flow Gently), Those Are Mountains

The debut album from this new band, Those Aren’t Mountains is an album inspired by the world itself (including mountains and anything that isn’t mountains too). My favorite song off of this project is the last song titled “Those Are Mountains” because it’s a culmination of the whole project with a full swell of all the instruments and includes a guitar solo.

conversations with myself about you: lovelytheband – buzz cut, loneliness for love, i hate myself

This new alt pop record is full of bops about all the different sides and types of love.

POP AND BOPS

*Like That: GRACEY, Alexander 23

I’m obsessed with Alexander 23 so I definitely had to check this collaboration out and now I can say I’m obsessed with GRACEY as well. This song is all forms of catchy, full of mischief and we can’t stop listening.

Kill My Time: 5 Seconds of Summer

With a re-release of their latest album CALM, 5SOS has included one other new track that is catchy and full of melodies. While it was previously only available as an extra on CDs of the album, “Kill My Time” is now on all streaming platforms for all fans to enjoy.

Use Me (feat. 070 Shake): PVRIS, 070 Shake

Better Tomorrow: Matt Simons

With this new inspirational track, Simmons comforts the listener and assures them that everything will be better tomorrow no matter what.

*2014: Jake Scott

This new track is full of nostalgia and reminiscing. Take me back.

Homework – EP: Sam Fisher – The Usual, Everybody’s Got Somebody,

Most well-known for his song “This City” (trust me you’ve heard it and love it), Sam Fischer released a new EP this week full of chill pop hits.

Sail Away: Surfaces

With a more beat focused song, Surfaces bring us something new to their sound this week with “Sail Away” and we’re vibing to it.

Smile: Katy Perry – Cry About It Later, Resilient, Champagne Problems

Katy Perry delivered two babies this week, first her daughter Daisy and now this masterpiece of an album that may be her best yet. Both are beautiful and perfect. Smile is full of positive upbeat pop songs that are beautiful representations of life.

*Ice Cream (with Selena Gomez): BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez

I’ve never listened to BLACKPINK but clearly I’ve been missing out because this song is the perfect summer bop.

Strawberry Blonde: Rence

*I’m Leaving, Sorry For Your Loss: iamnotshane

So savage, so catchy, so good.

R&viBe

Southside Fade: reggie

With his debut single on Spotify, reggie combines R&B with rap to create a chill song that’s a great addition to any late night playlist.

*Over Now (with The Weeknd): Calvin Harris, The Weeknd

The vibes on this collaboration are exquisite.

ELECTRO DANCE + RAVE SZN

*ENERGY: Disclosure – Lavender with Channel Tres, ENERGY, Birthday with Kehlani and Syd

This latest album from Disclosure is full of collaborations that we’ve been obsessed with. The title track is the perfect addition to any workout playlist with its motivational mantras throughout the song.

*Break Me Down (with Mallrat) – Northeast Party House – Cub Sport, Northeast Party House

I could listen to and vibe to this song at a music festival at 10:39 pm after standing and walking around all day and still dance to it.

*Nights Like That (feat. Georgia Ku): BUNT., Georgia Ku

Downtown (2020): Allie X, Della Casa

New Best Friend (DVRKO Remix): Neon Trees, DVRKO

Nightlight: ILLENIUM

It’s real rave hours with this new beautiful track from ILLENIUM.

Ambient 1: STRFKR – Bunji

This week STRFKR surprise released an album that is unlike anything we’ve heard before. Full of instrumentals that would fit perfectly as the soundtrack to any film about space, this album would be the perfect addition to any study playlist.

Kelly – Fickle Friends Remix: The Aces, Fickle Friends

At first listen this remix was not my cup of tea simply because of how well I know the original song (not to flex but I’ve had Under my Influence on repeat since its release #noshame). But it grows on you and now it’s a collaboration I didn’t know I needed in my life.

RAP SNAP CRACKLE POP

60 Seconds: Ollie

Despite the name of the song, this new track from Ollie is not 60 seconds but it does center around leaving an honest and vulnerable voicemail and we’re all here for this creative genius.

1999: Rich Brian – Don’t Care

PAIN?: Wifisfuneral – Lost in Time (feat. Coi Leray), End Of Story

Expensive (feat. Nicki Minaj): Ty Dolla $ign, Nicki Minaj

The Plan: Travis Scott

Usually movie soundtracks are hit or miss for me but this new track from Travis Scott for TENET is worthy of my attention.

Shake Dat A$$: BAHA BANK$, Chance the Rapper

Everyone’s favorite independent rapper is back this week with a collaboration with BAHA BANK$. I could definitely see this song blowing up on TikTok.

YEEHAW

*TRUCK: HARDY

*Tumbleweed: Keith Urban

The way that Keith Urban drops bop after bop is everything to me. The excitement I have for his new album coming out on Sept. 18th is real.

We Go Together Like: Abby Anderson

Full of the best pairings, this new cute song from Abby Anderson is the perfect love song to cheesily sing to your significant other.

Crazyland: Eric Church

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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