BEST OF NEW MUSIC TUESDAY - WEEK 5

How’s everyone taking the Taylor Swift trademark fest? I’m personally super bummed because I was just about to finish my “Party like it’s 1989” embroidered afghan (hey…someone on Etsy would’ve appreciated it!). Anyway, we’re back again with our Best of Spotify New Music Tuesday playlist, which I’m sure you’re subscribed to by now (*hint*). Read on to hear the latest from Walla, Nicki Minaj, Twin Shadow, and more!

KATE TEMPEST - BAD PLACE FOR A GOOD TIME

This week we’re going to start things off Mercury Prize nominated new artist, Kate Tempest, and her latest haunting single, “Bad Place For A Good Time.” Tempest flows over sparse piano chords and a stripped down beat before she takes you by surprise around the 1:40 mark when you’re hit with the fuzzy, synth-filled chorus.

WALLA - 101

Los Angeles five-piece Walla is here to lift your spirits with their groovy new indie-pop track, “101.” The song features everything necessary for a catchy radio-ready hit— uplifting synths, bouncy bass lines, and an infectious chorus that begs you to sing a long.

NICKI MINAJ - TRUFFLE BUTTER

Nicki Minaj is back with her Young Money-peers Drake and Lil Wayne on her latest Pinkprint single, “Truffle Butter.” (I’ll just let your mind run wild with what that means.) The track features an infectious club-ready beat and some awesome Nicki-style lyrics packed with plenty of girl power— “I’m still the highest sellin’ female rapper for the record.” Get it girl.

TWIN SHADOW - TO THE TOP

Greg Lewis Jr. aka Twin Shadow is here to blast you away with his totally epic new single, “To The Top.” The track instantly demands your attention with powerful vocals, dramatic piano chords, and echoey drums and guitar that make for an awesomely ’80’s-style pop ballad. Once the chorus hits about one minute in, you can’t help but yearn for Whitesnake-style power ballads and Aqua Net hairspray.

GREG HOLDEN - HOLD ON TIGHT

New singer-songwriter Greg Holden is about to explode onto the scene with his debut album, Chase The Sun, and his new single “Hold On Tight” features a wonderfully infectious sweeping chorus. Having written songs for American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips and having his music featured on shows like Sons of Anarchy, he’s making catchy acoustic guitar-driven pop that both you and your mom can enjoy.

THE BLACK KEYS - WEIGHT OF LOVE

From their latest album, Turn Blue, comes Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney with their epic album opener “Weight of Love.” At over 6 minutes long, the somewhat-lengthy track has a psychedelic feel to it with echoey guitar solos and their signature-vocal sound, making it an awesomely solid Black Keys track you’ll keep coming back to.

TORO Y MOI - EMPTY NESTERS

https://soundcloud.com/carparkrecords/toro-y-moi-empty-nesters

Chaz Bundick, aka Toro Y Moi, is back with a new single off of his upcoming album, What For? “Empty Nesters” is a wonderful blast of sunshine being packed with warm guitars, high vocals, and little funky breakdowns that I totally fell in love with. I imagine this is what it would sound like if Pavement teamed up with Elliott Smith and created super fun indie-pop songs.

TEP NO - THE LAST ONES STANDING

Toronto-based artist Tep No will smooth away your winter blues with their latest single, “The Last One Standing.” Featuring softly plucked guitar chords, an easy going beat, saxophone breakdowns and a super relaxed yet catchy chorus, it’s an awesomely groovy track you can’t help but get into.

MR. PROBZ - NOTHING REALLY MATTERS

Move over John Legend—Mr. Probz is here to put “All of Me” to shame with his piano-driven, emotionally heavy ballad, “Nothing Really Matters.” With lyrics like “I seize the day whenever she’s near by” and simple statements like “she completes me,” it’s has all the ingredients of a panty-dropping love song that’s here just in time for Valentine's Day.

DOOMTREE - GRAY DUCK

Minneapolis-based hip-hop collective Doomtree is back with their brand new album, All Hands, and the lead single “Gray Duck” has a super cool Howard the Duck-style music video.The explosive track features hard-hitting verses, skittering beats, and crazy electronic elements that make for an awesome energy-packed track.

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There you have it, the absolute Best of Spotify New Music Tuesday. Remember to subscribe and I’ll see you guys next week!

About Erin Crider

Erin Crider eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. If you have a question about a one-hit wonder from the ‘90s or need help remembering lines from a SNL skit, she’s your girl. When she isn’t lurking the internet, she's either going to a show or hanging out at Disneyland. Erin lives in Southern California and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Cal State Long Beach.