A few years ago, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber seemed unlikely friends. But – perhaps bonding over their newfound love for the “scrumbo” aesthetic (think tropical shirts and scruffy hair) – they’ve now teamed up on addictively catchy pop track, “I Don’t Care”.
After teasing the visuals on Instagram all week, the pair have finally dropped a green screen-edited video, which sees them transported everywhere from floating in panda outfits and chilling poolside to a prehistoric forest, high school basketball game, romantic picnic, digitally illustrated corn field and more.
In the words of Ed: “go stream it, buy it, watch it, and become a Belieber #iwillneversaynever #tellyourmum”…
Slowthai ft. Skepta – “Inglorious”
Northampton-born rapper Slowthai already took over 2019 a few months ago with a slew of acclaimed singles, but today he cemented his position as one of the most exciting UK newcomers with the release of his debut album Nothing Great About Britain.
In line with the drop, Slowthai’s put out the visuals for track “Inglorious”, featuring none other than Skepta. Confronting political corruption, police brutality and nationalist propaganda, the video sees the rapper tortured and indoctrinated by a range of sinister figures, before being rescued by Skepta and a mini-army of red-cloaked friends.
For all of us in need of an angry anti-establishment music moment this week (cc. Brexit the Alamaba senate), it’s officially arrived.
Tyler, the Creator – “IGOR”
Yes, we’re giving you the full album, because when Odd Future’s Tyler, the Creator drops twelve tracks of excellence, you thank him accordingly. As he advised on Twitter: “I believe the first listen works best all the way through, no skips, front to back… No distractions either, no checking your phone, no watching TV, no holding convo, full attention towards the sounds where you can form your own opinions and feelings towards the album.”
IGOR, which is the artist’s fifth studio LP and the follow up to 2017’s Flower Boy, maps out an intoxicating listening experience packed with unexpected twists and impeccable production.
Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Al Green, and Cullen Omori and Kanye West are listed as co-writers (and though uncredited, Kanye’s vocals feature on “Puppet”), with appearances from Frank Ocean, A$AP Rocky, Santigold and Pharrell Williams *mic drop*. Check out the full record above.
GoldLink ft. Maleek Berry and Bibi Bourelly – “Zulu Screams”
Grammy-nominated Rapper GoldLink returned this week with new single “Zulu Screams”, for which he’s teamed up with British-Nigerian producer and singer Maleek Berry and American-German singer Bibi Bourelly (who, FYI, wrote Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”…)
With textured percussion and new experimental sounds from the artist, “Zulu Screams” is one to be playing through the weekend (and then the whole summer).
Kojey Radical – “Can’t Go Back”
Hackney-born Rapper and spoken word artist Kojey Radical is back with new single “Can’t Go Back”, the first taste of his forthcoming third body of work, due to drop later this year.
Though its sharp lyrics tackle some serious themes including feeling lost and “deep in depression”, Kojey wraps them around playful buzzy production on the Swindle/KZ/Kyu Steed produced track.
“It’s been 2 years since my last project, it used to frustrate me but everything makes sense now,” he said on the release: “I needed that room for clarity. If I’m gonna open up and talk about my darker moments I don’t want it to be sad. I wanna celebrate the fact I’m doing better. “Can’t Go Back” is the first siren in a symphony. The sound track to my emancipation.”
Lily Moore – “Why Don’t You Look at Me”
After making waves with her debut “I Will Never Be” EP at the end of last year, Brighton-based singer-songwriter Lily Moore has continued to deliver the ultimate sing-a-long bangers.
On her latest single “Why Don’t You Look at Me”, she’s turned her soulful vocals to exploring a relationship that’s lost its spark. Its new Greg Barnes-directed visuals are set in the back room of a pub, seeing Lily audition for a variety of random things… “For the video I didn’t want to do anything too serious”, she explains, “so I basically lost the plot and decided it would be funny to have loads of different Lilys that don’t get looked at.”
Catch the next instalment of her “More Moore” music residency at the 100 Club on 19 June.
KHUSHI – “From Me”
Fresh off a stint supporting his friend and collaborator James Blake on a UK/US tour, London-based singer, songwiter and producer Khushi dropped his latest single “From Me” yesterday.
Lifted from Khushi’s upcoming album, the delicate track marks a return to solo music for the artist, who’s spent the last three years as part of the band Strong Asian Mothers.
“The lyrics are to do with a desire to be rid of any mental or emotional weight that you have been struggling under for too long”, he explains: “And more specifically, at points in the song, to do with a feeling of being constricted around other people, being held back by the real or imagined perceptions and judgements of others, and a desire to be more free from that.” Cheers to that boys and girls.