The Observer Playlist of the Week: 9/27
September 27, 2013
R. Kelly – “Genius”
There are really no adjectives for this song other than “R. Kelly.” Get ready for “Black Panties,” out Nov. 11.
Pusha T – “Nosetalgia (ft. Kendrick Lamar)”
Pusha T’s new album “My Name Is My Name” is out Oct. 8 and it features Chris Brown, Rick Ross, The-Dream, Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Pharrell and more. If that’s not enough to get you excited, I don’t know what to say.
Clams Casino – “Crystals”
If you haven’t heard of Clams Casino, he’s the dude that’s produced pretty much all the best A$AP Rocky songs, and every Lil B song with a great beat. He also put out a couple of fantastic instrumental mixtapes in 2011 and 2012. “Crystals” is a previously unreleased song that made it’s way onto the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack.
Twin Shadow – “Old Love / New Love”
Twin Shadow’s 2010 album “Forget” was one of my favorites of that year. 2012’s “Confess” was a little bit of a disappointment. “Old Love / New Love” (also from the GTA V soundtrack) is pretty near to a return-to-form for Twin Shadow: slightly melancholy, 80s influenced pop layered with George Lewis Jr.’s falsetto singing catchy melodies.
Drake – “Hold On (We’re Going Home”)
So this song isn’t very new (it’s been out almost two months), but Drake just put out a video for it which is set in Miami in 1985 and stars A$AP Rocky, Fredo Santana, a pseudo-Scarface mansion, and an actual Scarface actor. Drake’s girlfriend gets kidnapped by a rival who Drake took something from (we’re not told what), so Drake and A$AP set out to take revenge. It’s over seven minutes, really silly and pretty awesome.