The Observer’s Playlist of the Week: 10/11

Jason Walsh, Staff Reporter

Major Lazer & Zeds Dead — “Turn Around (ft. Elephant Man)”
This is basically your standard Major Lazer song, except that it doesn’t seem nearly as good as the great stuff on “Guns Don’t Kill People” and “Free the Universe.” “Free the Universe” just came out earlier this year, no word yet on whether or not “Turn Around” is in promotion for another new album or just a one-off collaboration for Diplo.

Tyler the Creator, Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, Earl Sweatshirt — “Look”
This track is produced by somebody named Nottz, who’s not an Odd Future affiliate as far as I know, although you’d never know from the beat. It’s all sinister synths and off-kilter muted drums, standard Odd Future fare. The four rappers trade verses for four minutes with no sign of a chorus or a hook, more standard Odd Future fare. The debut album from MellowHigh (Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats and Left Brain) is due out Oct. 31.

Blue Sky Black Death — “Keys (ft. Gucci Mane, Deniro Farrar, Nacho Picasso, & Mack Shine)”
Blue Sky Black Death are apparently a rap-production duo out of Seattle, although I’ve never heard of them before this track. I’ve also never heard of Deniro Farrar, Nacho Picasso or Mack Shine; I mostly listened to this because Gucci was on it. But the track is a really pleasant surprise. The beat is fantastic, Gucci sounds awesome doing the chorus, and the other three rappers all drop solid verses. Blue Sky Black Death recently released a mostly-instrumental album “Glaciers,” which is definitely worth some listens judging by this beat.

Crystal Antlers — “Licorice Pizza”
Loud, sloppy, catchy, with a silly name like “Licorice Pizza.” The new single from Crystal Antlers is pretty much everything I’m looking for in a garage-punk-rock track. Their new album “Nothing Is Real” is out Oct. 15.

R. Kelly — “Cookie”
It’s an R. Kelly song. It’s called “Cookie.” It is about exactly what you think it’s about. It’s unfortunately nowhere near as good as Kells’ other recently released single “Genius,” but my hopes are still high for “Black Panties” (due out Nov. 11).