Get into this week’s new tracks for that summer playlist from artists like Jimin, Taylor Swift, Kai, and more.
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A peek outside your window will show you a beaming sun and clear blue skies, which is basically code for summer. And as such, the nice weather may compel you to go outside to do something fun with your friends, family, or by yourself. But whether you’re planning that summer outing or would rather spend the sunny days indoors, make the experience that much better with some new tracks for the playlist. We rounded some of our favorite picks of the week you may want to add to your library.
SET ME FREE PT.2 – JIMIN
If this is a preview for Jimin’s debut album, then it’s safe to say that he’s coming for wigs with his album. With Set Me Free Pt.2, Jimin delivers a bombastic number of epic proportions that would make ON smile with glee. A continuation of a song from Suga, the track is his IDGAF anthem that incorporates some interesting production we rarely here from Jimin which is a nice touch.
ALL OF THE GIRLS YOU LOVED BEFORE – TAYLOR SWIFT
Leave it to Taylor Swift to get us shook and shaken. On the eve of the start of The Eras Tour, Ms. Swift decided to surprise drop four new songs, Taylor’s Version of her two tracks for The Hunger Games, a deluxe song from Speak Now, and this track. The latter in particular is a mid-tempo jam that was originally scrapped from Lover before leaking recently. Taylor really knows what we want.
DAMAG – SUNKISSED LOLA AND SHORTONE
With Damag, the vibes were turned to 11 in a slow jam best enjoyed when the day is done and you’re ready to enjoy that free time. It’s a track meant for the calmer moments in life.
ROVER – KAI
Whoever convinced Kai to do Afrobeats needs a raise because Rover is that catchy bop. It’s a genre that suits Kai so well, especially when the beat drops in the chorus as the EXO member revs up his engines. Yet another banger of a solo release from Kai.
BAGAY NGA TAYO PERO – JANINE BERDIN
Janine Berdin’s latest single is an anthem for anyone who’s been friend-zoned or in one-sided relationships. The song speaks to how two people look great together, but it just stays as a what if since the other person doesn’t share the same feelings. Oof, we feel seen.
5678 – KAIA
The girls of KAIA are here to celebrate women with their latest track, 5678, a dance-pop track about preparing to face everything your way, no matter what anyone else says. The track gets you fired-up as it is aimed towards inspiring women everywhere to never give up on their dreams.
THE GRANTS – LANA DEL REY
Never underestimate Lana Del Ray’s ability to make epic ballads because that’s exactly what she does with The Grants. The sweeping orchestra and backing vocals are giving Young and Beautiful vibes with a dash of church choir, a comparison we are more than welcome with.
TIKTIKTOKIN – PLAYERTWO
While TIKTOKTOKIN may only be two minutes long, it gets the job done with its fire bars and catchy verse.
MISSIN U – TORI KELLY
It’s a new era, new music, and new look for Tori Kelly, as seen with her first single in over a year, missin u. The pop love song has tinges of Y2K in it, which is an interesting turn for Tori.
SOUL TIES – ILLEST MORENA
You make want to make some room in your summer love songs playlist for Illest Morena’s new R&B number that steamy, sensual, and will have you feeling things.
SMOKE SPRITE – SO!YOON! AND RM
Pop and rock come together in Smoke Sprite for an interesting and intense harmony and listen.
YOUNG, DUMB, STUPID – NMIXX
Say what you want about NMIXX, but you can’t deny that the group isn’t afraid to try something new with their music, as seen with their latest comeback, Young, Dumb, Stupid, a upbeat number that combined K-pop with nursery rhymes. It’s giving whimsical.
CALLING – XODIAC
Looking for a new K-pop boy group to stan? Then you may want to turn your attention to XODIAC, a new boy group project that just unleashed their first single, Calling, a fun and light pop sound that’s contrasted with a lower and mature rap beat.
LOVE YOU TWICE – HUH YUNJIN
LE SSERAFIM’s Yunjin’s latest solo single is an acoustic indie pop track evoking the glittering feeling of warm springtime. Yunjin created an imaginary character “HER” to paint a flawless life while confessing that the singer herself is yet to be someone whom people can look up to. Furthermore, she expresses gratitude towards her fans who give immense love and allow her to shine even though she is imperfect.
WALA NA BA? – PRESS HIT PLAY
Even feelings of sawi are possible during summer, or at least, for P-pop group Press Hit Play with their new single, Wala Na Ba? The pop-rock track is straight up sad boi moments as the members sing about losing that special someone and wondering if there will be a second chance.
UGNAYAN – CALISTA
Calista goes techno-pop with Ugnayan, their internet-inspired signal about staying connected with someone even if they experience a connection error.
RHYTHM – YES MY LOVE
There’s a new P-pop boy group in town, and their name is Yes My Love. For their debut single, the boys get in tune with the rhythm in a pop number whose chorus has no business being that good.
NEW DAYZ – TRENDZ
To round out their BLUE SET CHAPTER saga, K-pop boy group Trendz dropped their NEW DAYZ single album. It’s a punk pop song with rhythmical guitar sounds that tells the story of the boy waking up in the dark and escaping from the fake neverland alone.
KINDRED – SAY I LOVE
Kindred’s SAY I LOVE is their take on classic R&B music. Packaged in contemporary pop form, the band redefines what it means to listen to traditional genres, elevating it into something entirely new to the senses without compromising its essence.
HIMBO – CURTIS WATERS
HIMBO is a delightfully audacious bubble of sparkling pop perfection, bolstered by a bouncing, throbbing beat that makes movement mandatory. Waters’ lyrics are charmingly tongue-in-cheek, packed full of pop-culture references.
GEMINI – ETHAN LOW
Built upon a sultry backdrop made up of orchestral instruments and dark trap and R&B, Ethan Low’s GEMINI is a sly depiction of the age-old push and pull of the quintessential 21st century romance.
DON’T LET GO – KEVITCH
Lifting vocals take center stage in what feels like a velvet hallucination on a dark beach. Intoxicating and entrancing, the dreamy, R&B-tinged effort glides over a plush resonance. It evokes the embodiment of unconditional love as a special and sometimes fleeting experience. The duality of unconditional and fleeting may not go hand in hand, but Kevitch’s hope is to hold onto this sensation without it ever completely fading away.
Continue Reading: The Round-Up: The Newest Bops To Help Soundtrack Your Days
