We’re Calling It: These Are The Five Best Tracks Of The Week
This week we’ve put together five of our favourite new tracks for you to enjoy throughout the weekend – three Australian, two American, each representing a completely different genre, sound, and story. Enjoy!
#1 Haim — ‘Want You Back’
For nearly four years, we’ve been wanting Haim back. Finally, they’ve returned, first with ‘Right Now’, and this week with the aptly titled ‘Want You Back’, from the trio’s forthcoming album, Something To Tell You, out July 7.
Produced by Ariel Rechtshaid (who’s previously worked with Adele, Solange, Madonna), the stripped-back pop-folk leaves emotions unveiled, though a slapped bass adds a welcome kick.
Given the quality of their new tracks, it’s safe to assume Haim have avoided the curse of the dreaded second album. With collaborators like Dev Hynes, Rostam Batmanglij and apparently even U2, this is bound to be an interesting album at the very least.
#2 Polish Club — ‘Divided’
Sydney duo Polish Club continue to astound me; two people who can make such a racket – and such a masterful, enjoyable one at that – are a rare and welcome addition to the local scene. They’re particularly adept at showing off their skills on stage, and have just kicked off a national tour to show the country how it’s done.
This week they’ve officially announced their latest single ‘Divided’, taken from their debut album Alright Already, along with an accompanying video. According to singer and guitarist Novak, the track is about “being stubborn and internalising in a relationship. Not being able to admit things aren’t working and lying to yourself.”
#3 Jack Ladder And The Dreamlanders — ‘Susan’
Jack Ladder and his merry band of Dreamlanders (including Donny Benet and Kirin J Callinan, both stars in their own right) have finally returned with their first new music since 2014’s wonderful Playmates.
Staying true to the style, sound and themes we’ve come to know and love, ‘Susan’ opens with subtle beats and retro keys, while Jack Ladder tells the forlorn tale of Susan, and her lover, through his rich, immediately recognisable baritone melody. The bright choruses contrast the verses, with airy backing vocals and chunky instrumentation adding to the irresistible disco influence.
#4 DJ Khaled — ‘I’m the One’ Ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne
It wouldn’t be a best new music roundup without the week’s biggest banger. Once again, Khaled’s abilities as a curator continue to astound – love him or hate him, who else could pull Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Migos’ Quavo onto a single track?
The video is ridiculous, excessive and hilarious, opening on a shot of Khaled’s newborn son, before a woman rides in on a white horse, while Khaled invites Bieber, Wayne, Quavo and Chance over for a celebration of their general success and blessings. The track itself is great, with Bieber’s wonderfully bouncy hook, and smooth new verses from all three rappers, though Wayne’s is a slick standout.
#5 Billy Davis — ‘Ball And Chain’
Fronted by William Rimington, and featuring up to 11 members on stage, Billy Davis are one of the best new acts to come out of Melbourne. New single ‘Ball and Chain’ is the kind of track that immediately puts a smile on our face and a bounce in our step. It’s the band’s second single from their forthcoming album, following on from the recent ‘No Longer Lovers’.
A really welcome addition to the Australian scene, the band have been busy creating that kind of feel-good, soulful, hip-hop-meets-electronica sound that we’ve come to really love from artists like Kaytranada and Anderson Paak.