Top Ten Tracks: Cheesmore, James Blake, Carrie Baxter & more 20/8/21
Welcome to ‘Top 10 Tracks’, the essential weekly round-up of the best new music.
At the end of each week, we count down the ten essential new tracks you need in your rotation. Ranging from rappers in the Emerald Isle to boundary-pushing, experimental producers and everything in between, it’s all hits, no filler.
This week, James Blake returns with an effort that swims in the melancholy of unrequited love, Khakikid keeps his hot streak going and Carrie Baxter shares a bouncy new cut.
Photo credit: Leon Nevill Gallagher
Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn Congratulations
Brighton rap and production duo Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn have come through with a trademark celestial head nodder.
Carrie Baxter Something in the Water
Reflecting on the spontaneity of youth, Waterford native Carrie Baxter has come through with a bouncy, Tom Misch-esque groover ahead of her What Now EP which lands on October 22.
KAM-BU Call Me Back Feat. Knucks
KAM-BU first came on our radar after his collaboration with Lord Apex on ‘Different’ and the rising MC is yet to miss since.
‘Call Me Back‘ sees him link with Knucks on a cut that sees the grit and jazziness of their respective styles coalesce.
Khakikid Shlumped Up
Good Buzz Collective’s Khakikid has been on a hot streak in 2021. Between features on 49th & Main’s debut EP and a recent verse on Ahmed, With Love.’s ‘Full Plate’ he’s kept himself busy as he waits to bring his riotous live performances back to the stage.
In his latest effort, ‘Shlumped Up’, the Dublin rapper grounds his self-deprecating brand of hip hop in a loose and breezy instrumental that accentuates the no-fucks-given one-liners.
Whether it’s fighting his demons with nunchucks or falling asleep in his jeans six nights a week, Khakikid is making music for the messers.
Kevin Abstract SIERRA NIGHTS Feat. Ryan Beatty
At this point, Ryan Beatty is an unofficial member of Brockhampton and the singer has linked up again with front man Kevin Abstract in his next solo venture. ‘SIERRA NIGHTS’s sugary hook and summery textures is the perfect accompaniment to soundtrack the end of the summer months.
Bakar The Mission
Bakar is back with his first release of 2021.
Speaking on ‘The Mission’ he says, “To me, the song is about the want and need for a better future, especially for 1st generation kids of immigrant backgrounds – telling our stories is so important.”
“I’m trying to represent and reclaim my Islamic faith for a new progressive generation. This is ultimately about peace but so often our symbols and flags have been hijacked for the wrong purposes. I see what’s happening in Kabul this week and pray for the people there.”
Cheesmore Your Room
Irish producer and singer Cheesmore has has a knack for marrying bittersweet sounds in a way that are instantly recognisable as his own.
His latest effort ‘Your Room’ finds its power in the emotional centre ground between dance floor percussion and his patient and warped drawl.
ABRA Unlock It Feat. Playboi Carti
Denzel Himself Icey Go Feat. KEYAH/BLU
‘Icey Go’ is a bitcrushed odyssey that arrives courtesy of two of the London underground’s most inventive rappers.
James Blake Life Is Not The Same
Landing ahead of his album Friends That Break Your Heart, James Blake’s latest slow-burning single was produced by Take A Daytrip and swims in the melancholy of unrequited love.
