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Replay, Revisit, Reject: Did the Long Weekend Give Way to Better Music?

We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds. Suggested Reading Flint’s Water Crisis Ends…

We get it: With everything going on in the world, it can be difficult to carve out time to discover new music. Industry-pushed tunes that you may not even bang with like that could also get in the way of you finding something that tingles your consumer taste buds.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

While new tunes are usually released throughout the working week, a majority of new material drops on Fridays. As a music fiend, Iโ€™ll be here to help you dig through some crates, in order to make things easier on your energy and your ears.

With this long weekend (and hours of being indoors), there were a few things helping me get by. When I wasnโ€™t watching Uncut Gems on Netflix, I was digesting some new sounds that would have been perfect for the true summer kick-off, Memorial Day. However, there were a few duds as per usual, so if youโ€™re down, check out a few songs you may want to add to your rotation.

REPLAYโ€œNeed Itโ€ by Migos featuring YoungBoy NBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51vVIvPl_EA

The track, which features a sped-up sample of 50 Centโ€™s โ€œGet In My Carโ€ from Get Rich or Die Tryinโ€™, is surprisingly decent given the slim pickings of actually-well-done rap songs in 2020. Leave it to the Migos for knowing whatโ€™s up and what works.

โ€œOpen Upโ€ by Umi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf5yWuRL8Qg

Umiโ€™s falsetto is a lot stronger than most, and her lovely voice fits well with the entertaining beat. The song itself sounds like something H.E.R. would perform, which is truly never a bad thing.

โ€œTrap or Capโ€ by Young M.A.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJdRypaDrEk

My respectability politics and feminism usually go out the window when I hear a Young M.A. song. She has such a talent, confidence and machismo when it comes to rapping, I barely shudder when I hear her lyrics because I am so convinced by what sheโ€™s saying. This time around, some of my favorite non-toxic lyrics include โ€œyeah Iโ€™m humble, but I got different sides, so, aye, donโ€™t act surprised.โ€ Talk that talk.

REVISITโ€œMade Itโ€ by Teyana Taylor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFvo6Ixzubk

I. Just. Want. Teyana. Taylor. To. Come. Up. With. Her. Own. Stuff. So many of her songs (although I enjoy them for the most part) are directly from others (this chorus borrows from Juvenileโ€™s โ€œBack Dat Azz Upโ€). I know sheโ€™s capable of more. This song comes off as a bit flat in general, so that certainly doesnโ€™t help. Thank goodness the heartwarming videoโ€”which features a virtual graduation and TikTok-esque clips featuring members of the graduating class of 2020โ€”saves it.

REJECTโ€œNo Passesโ€ by Dej Loaf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFJT9en01Sw

I havenโ€™t heard much from Dej Loaf in so long that this was a real bad re-introduction. Her voice is annoying, the beat is basic, and the delivery of her bars is lackluster. The lyrics itself pertain to (what I believe) is an homage to a fallen friend and how violence is not the answer. But then, it switches gears and discusses โ€œbagginโ€™ bitches.โ€ I really donโ€™t want to have to listen to the song again to understand what Iโ€™m missing, but overall, itโ€™s a no from me, dawg.

Previous lists

5/04/2020

4/27/2020

4/20/2020

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