Hello all and happy new music…Tuesday? This week’s playlist took slightly longer than expected because I couldn’t bear to tear myself away from “Positions” by Ariana Grande for longer than a few minutes. Forgive me. But you know what they say, good things come to those who wait. And I can assure you this week’s playlist is a good thing.
If you’re new here, welcome! Each week I curate a Spotify playlist full of the best new music released that week. This includes my personal favorites (marked with an *) or releases that I think are iconic and deserve some recognition. If you don’t use Spotify, I also list the songs here and leave a few comments to persuade you to listen to a song whether it be for the sound/beat, meaningful lyrics or my personal connection to an artist.
Last week was FULL of new releases. There were memorable EPs from ROLE MODEL, Ruel, X Lovers and Valley and full albums from boy pablo, Ty Dolla $ign, Xavier Omär, Ginger Root and Chaz Cardigan. Plus we were all blessed with singles from Ariana Grande, Little Mix, COIN, H.E.R. and more! Feel free to listen to the playlist as you read. Let’s get into it.
POP AND BOPS
*positions: Ariana Grande
A masterpiece. Kicking off this new era, Grande drops a beautiful new single before her sixth album release next week. It’s filled with gorgeous harmonies, excellent vocal production, an R&B with a hint of pop dance beat and is complete with a signature whistle note at the end. “positions” exudes confidence. We truly have no other choice but to stan. Find it at the top of this week’s kasual picks playlist and our favorite girl hype + confidence booster playlist.
*Affection: Fiji Blue
The first three seconds in, and I fell in love with this song.
*Bright Lights, Red Eyes: Ruel – as long as you care, distance, courage, say it over (feat. Cautious Clay)
Ruel is a hidden gem. His newest EP only flexes his immense talent, potential and authenticity in the music scene.
*Lil Bit: Nelly, Florida Georgia Line
This song was seriously throwing me off when it came to placing it in a certain genre. I decided to go with Pop and Bops because well, it is a bop.
*Sweet Melody: Little Mix
Please Don’t Make Me Fall in Love: Meg DeAngelis
The teenage MayBaby stan in me is SCREAMING for DeAngelis’s new track.
*Call Me If You Need Me: Cloe Wilder
*Don’t: GRACEY
All That I Said: HYDRA
elated!: Bea Miller – making bad decisions, wisdom teeth
*Pride (feat. mxmtoon): Noah Kahan, mxmtoon
INDIE & CHILL
*our little angel – EP: ROLE MODEL – for the people in the back, blind, doyouseeit, going out, better the first time
After waiting for what felt like FOREVER, our favorite little angel ROLE MODEL dropped his debut EP. Every song is a bop and insanely catchy. I’ve been following ROLE MODEL for a while so don’t be surprised if you’ve heard any of the singles on a previous playlist, but I just had to include them. I can definitely see Tucker, Emma (Chamberlain), Declan and Frankie bopping around to “blind” together.
*Wachito Rico: boy pablo – hey girl, leave me alone!, honey, rest up, come home, wachito rico,
A full album of boy pablo? Sign me UP.
*sucks to see you doing better EP: Valley – sucks to see you doing better, nevermind, homebody, BE THE ONE, hiccup
This entire EP is a masterpiece. Every single song is perfect, and it was so difficult to not include them all on the playlist.
*Mad World: X Lovers – Mad World, Fuck What People Say, LOVE, Too Fast
With their latest EP, X Lovers write about life and being young. All of the tracks are a guaranteed mood booster.
Messed Up: Verzache
Remote: Wallows – Virtual Aerobics, Nobody Gets Me (Like You), Coastlines, Wish Me Luck
With their newest EP, Wallows pushes the boundaries of their sound…and perhaps not for the better. I was very excited to see what the guys came up with during their time during quarantine, but many fans and myself are somewhat disappointed. Some songs are bops in some parts, though. While it isn’t their typical indie sound, I’m interested to see where they turn next.
Freeway: Briston Maroney
*Rikki: Ginger Root – Friend, Karaoke, Le chateau, Why Try, Out of State
Ginger Root describes his music as “aggressive elevator soul,” and honestly, that’s pretty accurate. The album sounds nostalgic like an old time movie that never gets old. I highly recommend listening to the whole thing on your own.
Daydreams: Easy Life
this is love: Walk Off the Earth
*Sort It Out: COIN
*Brontide: Nick Kingswell – Easy Love, Blame, There’s No Cure
Kingswell’s new album is the perfect blend of indie and hints of folk to get you through this week. With his soothing and gentle voice, thoughtful lyrics and consistent guitar, Brontide feels like sipping the perfect morning coffee while looking out onto a silent yet alive forest with fog rising above the tree tops. I encourage you to check out this new album, or find more of my favorites at my new favorite study playlist: the coffeehouse you actually get work done at.
Can’t Wait To Be Dead: FINNEAS
*Cool Girl: dodie
With this new single from her forthcoming album, dodie creates an immense swell of sound.
ROCK ON
Holograma: Chaz Cardigan – Everything’s Wrong, Room, Middle of the Road, Change Your Mind, Let It Rest
Chaz Cardigan spent his quarantine making the perfect album. It’s full of upbeat tracks that are a sure way to improve any mood.
Superbloom: Ashton Irwin – Drive
This album is spooky. Enter with caution.
YEE HAW
What You See Ain’t Always What You Get (Deluxe): Luke Combs – Cold As You, The Other Guy, My Kinda Folk
ELECTRO DANCE + RAVE SZN
*Wrong Side of Love (with Darius Rucker): Young Bombs, Darius Rucker
Hell and High Water (feat. Alessia Cara): Major Lazer, Alessia Cara, Diplo
This new track from Major Lazer is more of a tropical house vibe that gives off summer vibes.
Too Much (feat. Usher): Marshmello, Imanbek, Usher
*Paper Thin: ILLENIUM, Tom DeLonge, Angels & Airwaves
Inside Out (feat. Griff): Zedd, Griff
While this song isn’t the typical upbeat Zedd banger collaboration, this song shows the slower side of Zedd that highlights and accentuates Griff’s voice.
R&viBe
if You Feel: Xavier Omär – FIND ME., All Our Time (feat. Jae Stephens), Like I Feel (feat. Mereba)
A mix of chilled R&B and upbeat dance all intertwined with Omär’s smooth voice.
Damage: H.E.R.
Green Eyes: Arlo Parks
Back to the Streets (feat. Jhené Aiko): Saweetie, Jhené Aiko
RAP SNAP CRACKLE POP
*Numb & Nervous (with gnash): Alec King, gnash
*Featuring Ty Dolla $ign: Ty Dolla $ign – Spicy (feat. Post Malone), Track 6 (feat. Kanye West, Anderson .Paak, Thundercat, Expensive (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Last week Ty Dolla $ign dropped an album full of collaborations from all of the major players in the rap game.
Don’t Like Me (feat. Gucci Mane & Don Toliver): Rico Nasty, Gucci Mane, Don Toliver
And that’s it! I hope you enjoy and find some of your new favorite songs and artists from this week’s playlist of new music. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Spotify to keep up to date about all things music or to be featured on an upcoming playlist!(@kasualpicks)
I also updated my site so feel free to take a look around! Read something new and be sure to sign up to receive a email every time I post to ensure you’re kept in the loop with the best new releases in music each week.
As always, you can find this week’s playlist HERE!
see you next week! 🙂
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.
KASUAL KOOK 