The Best Songs to Listen to in July 2018
At the peak of the summer, the new releases are just as hot as the weather. Check out our favorite new tracks below, and check back in throughout the month for new additions.
"Boo'd Up (Remix)" by T-Pain
Following "Panda" and "Bartier Cardi," Ella Mai's breakout track is the latest hit to get blessed with T-Pain's genius. Nicki Minaj and Quavo might've teamed up for a remix that same week, but this one takes the cake-and every last crumb.
"Doesn't Matter" by Christine and the Queens
Frontwoman Hélo?se Letissier told Zayn Lowe that the song was bold, exposed, and confessional. "There is a sense of despair also in this record but it’s strangely empowering at the same time," she said, per Spin. The track, a sharp and clean spin on '80s pop, is the second single from her upcoming album, Chris.
"Feels Like Summer" by Childish Gambino
In the middle of July, Donald Glover hit us with two cool new summer jams to counter the summer heat; "Feels Like Summer" is the more ambient of the pair. They're both co-produced by Ludwig Goransson, whom he worked with on the poignant "This Is America," which just goes to show the kind of range we can expect from Gambino's upcoming album.
"1999 Wildfire" by BROCKHAMPTON
The hip-hop crew is a prodigious new favorite that proved over a series of EPs that no sound is outside of their comfort zone. With "1999 Wildfire," BROCKHAMPTON adopts a smooth retro R&B vibe-at times channeling old-school Outkast-for the first supposed single from their next album. Though they dropped one member after a sexual misconduct controversy, the group's momentum is unstoppable.
"Better" by SG Lewis feat. Clairo
Indie-pop up-and-comer Clairo nabbed a crossover hit just over a month after releasing her debut EP. Her languid vocals plus SG Lewis' disco-inspired production results in a danceable banger with that too-cool-for-you vibe. The pairing was unexpected but Clairo assured in a statement that was a "match made in heaven."
"God is a woman" by Ariana Grande
After her first two Sweetener singles, "No Tears Left to Cry" and "The Light Is Coming," this is probably Grande's biggest one yet. It's reminiscent of the pure pop mastery of Dangerous Woman, while taking a jab at the patriarchy. (Oh, and the last 30 seconds are pure choral bliss.) "To my fellow goddesses who work their asses off every day to 'break the glass ceiling,' this is for you," the star wrote.
"Endless" by Garren Sean
The Bay Area producer, who's previously worked with Chance the Rapper, brings hints of Coloring Book (and some Francis and the Lights influences) to the opening track of his new Sundrip EP. Sean brings elements like soulful guitar licks, an ethereal R&B vibe, and trap hi-hats together for a chill gem.
"Wildin'" by berhana
The singer-songwriter and Atlanta native finds himself evaluating his success on the first single off his next project. It's "about losing sight of yourself, about getting swept up in the moment and forgetting about what you came here to do," he said in a statement.
“Look What U Started” by The Internet
Following 2015’s Ego Death, Syd, Steve Lacy, and Matt Martians pursued equally impressive solo projects, but the band came back together to make the cohesive, aptly-titled Hive Mind. The record is chock-full of soul-funk jams, but this one’s bass line is especially alluring, right from the bass line.
“65th & Ingleside” by Chance the Rapper
Weeks after becoming engaged to longtime girlfriend Kirsten Corley, Chance released a track where he looks back at the hard times they endured together while living on 65th and Ingleside in Chicago. He praises her financial and emotional support through their low points, and ends with: “Truth is I just really need your finger size / So I can make sure that they make the ring so tight.” Excuse us while we cry softly.
“WWYD?” by DRAM
DRAM gets us thinking on his new track: “If you gotta check in your name for a hundred thousand dollars, honestly, what would you do?” he asks in the hook. The Virginia rapper/R&B star surprised us with the song-and two others-on a new three-track EP, That's a Girls Name, to follow up his 2016 album Big Baby DRAM.
“Real Life S**t” by Buddy
Compton rapper Buddy makes a stunning debut with his album, Harlan & Alondra, where he gets pensive about his childhood, upbringing, and identity, with features including a hip-hop vet (Snoop Dogg), a ubiquitous collaborator (Ty Dolla $ign), and a budding pop star (Khalid). This intro track-produced by Bruno Mars collaborator Brody Brown and co-written by Terrace Martin-sets the scene for the rest of the record. If you want a good dance bop to groove to, add “The Blue” (featuring Snoop) to your queue.
“Maybe 25” by Minke
This only marks the third single for the London-bred up-and-comer, but it sounds like she’s been releasing music for years. Minke pairs her soothing vocals over an uplifting pop-rock vibe in this commentary on the lack of real connections in today’s society. Keep an eye out for her EP coming this fall.
“Potato Salad” by Tyler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky
The rappers bring their friendship into a freestyle collab that’s part swagger and part humor (“This ain’t a purse, it’s a satchel,” Rocky raps). The pair exchanges verses over “Knock Knock by Monica, which was produced by Kanye West. You won’t find this on streaming services, so keep the YouTube video bookmarked if you’re a fan.
“Charcoal Baby” by Blood Orange
Dev Hynes returned with two new songs to preview his upcoming album Negro Swan, which he called “an exploration into my own and many types of black depression,” according to Rolling Stone. “Charcoal Baby” is a depiction of that loneliness and being an outsider, laid over the artist’s signature lo-fi ‘80s sound. Just wait until the saxophone solo at the end.
“BLACK BALLOONS | 13LACK 13ALLOONZ” by Denzel Curry feat. Twelve’len and Goldlink
On his three-part new album, Ta13oo, the Floridian rapper brings back the hard-hitting verses that earned him acclaim on his 2016 record, Imperial. But he also shows his versatility with this unexpected pop/R&B crossover.
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