Top Ten Tracks: Shollah, Shygirl, John Francis Flynn & more 2/7/21
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, Shygirl taps up slowthai for a sweat-drenched anthem, Loyle Carner, Swindle and Kojey Radical join forces and Rico Nasty showcases her versatility.
Photo Credit: Trinity Ellis
Automatic Blue Ashtray
Anxiety-inducing and claustrophobic, Automatic Blue’s ‘Ashtray’ is a menacing track that keeps Hausu’s recent hot streak alive.
Rico Nasty Magic
Nothing can bother Rico Nasty on ‘Magic’. The shapeshifting singer and rapper showcases yet another string to her bow ahead of her forthcoming Rx mixtape and cements her spot as one of the most versatile in the game right now.
Shollah x Owin So Far Feat. F3miii
Stepping out from behind the boards, Shollah (FKA Nxbody) has launched his rap career with an introspective cut.
Teaming up with producer Owin, ‘So Far’ comes ahead of a joint EP and features considered vocals from F3miii.
Moonchild Sanelly Yebo Teacher
Moonchild Sannelly’s latest track is all about working hard.
As she puts it, “Yebo Teacher is about putting the work in, not just in school but in life. My analogy of a Teacher talking to her students is simple – is showing people that during your time on this earth, when you take on a task, you finish it. It’s about completion, and it’s about effort. I’m asking people of all ages – ‘Have you done your homework? Are you working hard to get to the level you want to be at in life?’
As the president of the female orgasm, I am checking that people are doing their homework on their own sensuality. As an artist, I’m asking if you are doing your truest, most important work. As a business owner, I am asking you are you working at the best level you can?
So listen to your teacher – if you do your homework, if you put the work in, if you stay persistent, you’re going to win. Take this song, take this lesson and carry it through life!”
Nnic Chase Dream
Sharing DNA with the metallic and distorted leanings of acts like Arca, Nnic’s Yurn-produced ‘Chase Dream’ is a dive into the darkest depths of her inner psyche.
Brent Faiyaz Wasting Time Feat. Drake
There’s some serious mid-2000s energy to Brent Faiyaz’s ‘Wasting Time’.
Between the quintessential Neptunes’ production the reinterpretation of Pharrell’s artwork for his debut album In My Mind, it’s a teleportation device to the MTV era.
Bonus points for the chess bars.
Holybrune Catching Feelings
Funk-laden goodness from a duo that rarely miss.
John Francis Flynn My Son Tim
Grounded in the key tenets of folk songwriting, John Francis Flynn’s creaking outro in ‘My Son Tim’ highlights his willingness to take the road less travelled.
His debut album lands via Rough Trade’s folk imprint River Lea Records on July 30.
Swindle LOST Feat. Loyle Carner, Kojey Radical & JNR Williams
A UK heavy weight link up of the biggest proportions.
Swindle’s ‘LOST’ brings together mainstays Loyle Carner and Kojey Radical on a record together for the first time. The pair go back to back whilst Femi and TJ Koleoso from Ezra Collective hold it down on the rhythm section.
Shygirl BDE Feat. slowthai
A club-ready, sweat-drenched anthem, ‘BDE’ is Shygirl’s first single since the release of ALIAS.
Putting her desires front and centre before slowthai dips between the earth-shattering pulses, it’s Shygirl at her very best.
