Twostepcub's New Music Roundup 2/18/23...
It's time for my weekly new music roundup, where I feature the big
entries on the Hot 100 as well as my personal choices of the songs
making the various radio charts in Billboard magazine, as well as on the charts in the United Kingdom. This week a "viral" hit from two newcomers rockets into the top-20.
from the single (2023)
Billboard Hot 100 debut: #14
This apparently is the new TikTok "thing", the revamp of the song from British singer PinkPantheress from her 2022 EP Take Me Home which adds American rapper Ice Spice. The frenetic beat that seems to borrow from both Miami Bass and K-Pop and have video game noises in the background is custom made for the short-attention span app, and adding the rapper does give a break from the too cutesy for me voice PP puts on it. This is planning to soar on the charts next week, be forewarned.
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from the album Special (2022)
Billboard Adult Top-40 Airplay debut: #39
It's a shame that the live version of this song (especially her take at the Grammy Awards) far outshines the studio version, but it's still an earnest, sweet, and well-executed song about empowerment that is a clear re-write of "Good As Hell". A "remix" stunt with SZA may goose its prospects, but it deserves a fair shake on the solo version on its own.
"New Gold" - Gorillaz featuring Tame Impala and Bootie Brown
from the album Cracker Island (2023)
Billboard Rock & Alternative Airplay debut: #41
Billboard Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #24
The "virtual" band set up by ex-Blur frontman Damon Albarn combines the trippy rock of Australian band Tame Impala with the groove-riding skills of rapper Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde (the latter had been working with the act for quite a while now). The result is something you don't feel embarrassed blasting out the convertible, even if its more attitude than story.
from the album American Bollywood (2022)
Billboard Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #32
The second single from the California band's fifth album is a dreamy slice of jangle-emo that swirls around your ears as Sameer Gadhia lays bare his sense of isolation save for that one special person.
"The Drop" - Sports Team
from the album Gulp! (2022)
Alternative Rock Airplay debut: #40
If you can picture the 1975 doing Britpop, you'd have Sports Team, with this enjoyable bouncy snarl of a song from their sophomore effort.
from the album The Record (2023)
Billboard Adult Album Alternative (Triple-A) Rock Airplay debut: #35
The indie-rock super girl-group of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker come off their respective critically-heralded solo records to come together for a proper full-length affair which comes out next month. This one has their voices circling around each other into a whirling dervish of pent-up energy being released.
from the album The Man From Waco (2022)
Triple-A Rock Airplay debut: #36
I'm glad this long-standing alt-country artist is getting his due on radio, as his bluesy and organic music is what the sometimes too-polished format really needs. Check out his entire album, it's a gem.
from the single (2023)
Billboard Adult R&B Airplay debut: #27
Fans of Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars' Silk Sonic project should give this simpler but musically attention-grabbing love song filled with those same chord change nuggets.
"Ice Cream Man" - RAYE
from the album My 21st Century Blues (2023)
Official British Singles chart debut: #69
The most stunning track on RAYE's triumphant debut album is a stark recounting of what happens all too often to young women in the music business, and her triumph over that to control her life as well as her career. My pick of the week.
from the single (2021)
British Singles chart debut: #96
French DJ/producer nicks some Nelly Furtado for this deep-house track that is lite on substance but heavy on bass for your workout playlist.
from the album The Lost Tapes (2022)
British Singles Airplay debut: #20
The original lineup of the British girl-group gets a home on the radio in the UK with this bop.
from the album Higher Than Heaven (2023)
British Singles Airplay debut: #40
Goulding joined the neo-disco fold for this futuristic banger that sports an infectious bassline and a mid-tempo groove that'll fit your driving playlist well.
I'll be back with my picks of the albums making the charts this week.
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