Top Ten Tracks: Sonder, Doja Cat & LSDXOXO 9/4/21

Rural crooner Uppbeat invited BVDLVD for a fist-clenching exercise in lyrical catharsis.

Speaking on the track Uppbeat said, “Exhale is basically me being as transparent as I can about the day to day struggles of chasing my dreams fused with the angst of romance and the pressure I project on myself. I think it’s a pretty relatable story for a lot of young people like me who are just trying to find their way in this overwhelmingly complex and divided world, hopefully you find a little bit of yourself in it”

7.5

If there were ever a UK drill track to soundtrack a fight with the final boss in an RPG then this is it.

A UK rap clash of the Titans, ‘Versus’ sees two of Drill’s most unique flows in SL and M1llionz go head to head.

7.7

What do you get when  you couple a chameleon-like approach to rapping and singing and an irresistibly confident pen game? The uplifting summer anthem we’ve all been waiting for.

Piers James’ ‘Best Out Here’ sees the dexterous newcomer bring an infectious freewheeling energy that has us lighting up our BBQs ahead of the brighter months.

7.7

Penning bars from the confessional, Flynn Johnston is reclaiming Ireland’s complicated past with the catholic church in ‘Mass’.

One of the slickest cuts to emerge from the Isle this year, his nimble wordplay and the impressive showcase of flows on display make it an effort that commands considered listening.

7.8

Buttery smooth vocals and a sage-like calmness, JGrrey’s ‘Down’ is the laid-back cut that’s set to become an integral part of our Sunday night self-care routine.

8.0

Tkay Maidza has spent the past few years formalising her spot as one of the southern hemisphere’s most versatile acts.

‘Syrup’s overindulgent and sugary lyrics sees Tkay unapologetically come for the game, with the unrelenting bass soundtracking her catwalk to the top.

8.1

Pulsating, nasty and hypnotic, ‘Sick Bitch’ is the sweat-inducing peak hours hit encouraging us to embrace the later hours.

It comes ahead of Berlin-based artist LSDXOXO’s new DEDICATED 2 DISRESPECT EP in May.

Speaking on the single LSDXOXO said, “I wanted to make a Dance Mania pop anthem with vocals that had the playfulness and vulgarity of Chicago ghetto house.”

8.2

The playful, candy cane instrumental on ‘Kiss Me More’ invites the kind of false sense of security that Doja Cat loves to obliterate.

Joining forces with SZA is a recipe for success and marks another in a long line of bubblegum hits destined to rule the internet.

8.2

After two years of silence Sonder marked their triumphant return with a romantic centre court rally  with Jorja Smith.

Following the release of their 13-minute EP TOO LATE TO DIE YOUNG, the group fronted by Brent Faiyaz swears transformation to the British star in ‘Nobody But You’.

It’s an intimate cut and the absence of any percussion accentuates Jorja’s definitive songwriting.

8.3

BERWYN’s story is one of resilience. The up-and-comer’s latest effort ‘100,00,000‘ continues his streak of fearless songwriting and cements his position as one of the UK’s most vivid storytellers.

Wearing his heart on his sleeve and staying true to his experience, he depicts the pressure that comes with being a young man a long way from home and with no where to go.

Speaking on Instagram, BERWYN said, “Wrote this chorus in YMCA carpark sitting in the driver’s seat of the car I was sleeping in.”

8.5