Lately there have been so many great new albums that we’ve been downloading them into our iTunes faster than squirrels hoarding nuts for the winter. But can you blame us? It’s getting chilly out there, and we can’t think of a better way to keep warm than to cozy up with a new list of hits, fresh off your stereo speakers. From new faces to rap royalty, these are the songs that will make you hit repeat the moment they finish.
“Blue Jeans”—Lana Del Rey
If you mixed old-school Hollywood glamour with Stevie Nicks, you’d get Lana Del Rey. This 24-year-old from Lake Placid, New York proves that she’s not just another pretty face by delivering both romantic and tragic vocals on the minimalist yet retro “Blue Jeans”.
“Houdini”—Foster the People
This hip trio has generated a lot of buzz, especially during the last few months, and we’re glad that they’re not just your average indie band. “Houdini” features a synthesizer-heavy clapping-and-stomping beat that manages to sound retro and futuristic at the same time.
“Paris”—Watch the Throne
This track sums up what Jay-Z and Kanye West do best: talk sh*t on the mic. From the catchy lyrics “That sh*t cray” to the sampling of dialogue from the 2007 hit movie Blades of Glory, “Paris” definitely proves that these two are in the zone—so watch the throne.
“Shake it Out” (The Weeknd remix) —Florence + the Machine
This first single off her newly released LP Ceremonials gets remixed by Toronto’s own The Weeknd, but still manages to incorporate huge drum hits and the full-bodied voice that Florence is known for. The Weeknd’s voice is nowhere to be heard, but he could have easily written the dramatic words himself.
“Party” (remix)—Beyonce ft. J. Cole
Queen B sings soulfully on this throwback-inspired gem that samples Slick Rick’s introduction on Doug E. Fresh’s classic song “La Di Da Di”. She enlists the help of rapper J. Cole to fill in for OutKast’s André 3000, and he comes through with a flirtatious verse for the ladies that’ll have you grooving in no time.
“Anti-Pioneer”—Feist
It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for her album Metals, but it’s definitely been worth it. Feist’s voice against the random string and bass arrangements is graceful yet dynamic, which makes it even more remarkable that she worked on this song for nearly 10 years before capturing it to her liking.
