Happy New Year, and welcome back to the first Pop Off playlist of 2022! We took the rest of 2021 off after our last musical odyssey just to make sure we were well-rested and ready to put together yet another collection of our favorite tracks released this week. Curated by yours truly, this week’s playlist features songs from the likes of The Weeknd, Amber Mark, and MICHELLE as we navigate our way through avant-garde pop and nestle our souls in between the comforting vibes of soul and alternative soundscapes.
What’s Poppin
Amber Mark – “Most Men – A COLORS SHOW”
Amber Mark-Most Men | A COLORS SHOW
Amber Mark’s latest offering, “Most Men,” arrives on the heels of her 2021 singles “What It Is” and “Softly” as she sends us a stern warning about the dangers of toxic men. Performing the blissful number on COLORS, the track bounces with brutal honesty as Mark reaches out to the listener as she offers a couple of tidbits about men. The songstress’ frank lyrics graze gently along with the organ chords as the track performs the seemingly impossible; a track that juxtaposes angelic vocal runs laced with the confessions of your unapologetically truth-baring friend—it’s an experience. I played this joint back a couple of times just to feel the foundation of the music’s composition rise to a crescendo towards “Most Men’s” finale, a stunning record.
Cannons- “Purple Sun”
“Purple Sun” is a dreamy score brought to you by Cannons. Cannons had a breakout year in 2021 with their infectious hit “Fire For You” as it climbed Billboard’s Alternative Airplay charts, and— from the sounds of their latest track—it’s looking like they may have another hit on their hands. Oozing with a steady tempo and demeanor, “Purple Sun” wears its heart on its island-infused influence, soothing the listener with a captivating vocal performance. If you’re looking for a song that fits on any playlist attempting to establish sultry, intoxicating energy, this song does it effortlessly.
Nas—”Wu For the Children”
Nasty Nas. What can I say about one of the greatest rappers to ever touch a microphone that hasn’t been said since the early 90s? With literally nothing else to prove, Nas is back with yet another project entitled Magic—the latest project featuring the immaculate chemistry between Nas and Grammy-award winning producer, Hitboy. “Wu For The Children” is one of the best tracks from the album, and, considering how elite the album’s rapping is from top to bottom, that’s saying a lot. But what this track offers is Hitboy and Nas at their best— untouchable production riddled with some of Nas’ best work. Nas’ lyrical trajectory utterly dumbfounds me, I’m aware that he came into the game as a wunderkind, but man, at this rate, he’ll be in his 4th prime when he’s 55. GOAT.
The Weeknd- “Sacrifice”
Halsey- “People disappear here”
Central Cee- “Retail Therapy”
Earl Sweatshirt- “Titanic”
Amber Mark – “Most Men”
BabySantana – “off the leash!”
Alt-J – “Hard Drive Gold”
Bennett- “When It’s Too Good”
Hunter Moreau- “Sleepyhead”
Kevin Holliday – “Expensive Taste”
Nas- “Wu For The Children”
Take Van – “Pressurized”
Daniel Son, Futurewave, Rome Streetz – “Field Trips”
Gunna – “pushin P”
Cannons- “Purple Sun”
Eric Nam- “Lost On Me”
MICHELLE- “EXPIRATION DATE”
Sebastian Yatra-“Amor Pasajero”
Kota the Friend- “Dear Fear”
Heather Sommer- “Chameleon”
Dom Vallie- “Been Himma”
Era, Dro Kenji- “Somebody I Know”
Delaney Bailey- “j’s lullaby”
Ryland James- “I Give Everything”
Montpellier Fish-“and I’d go a thousand miles”
