Music is much more than just something that goes into our ears. Music is something that brings society together, makes us feel something spectacular, and it can even help us get past the roughest parts of our lives. Every now and then, though, you might feel that you have been listening to the same music and or artist over and over again, and need something new. Well, guess what? You’ve come to the right place! Welcome to New Music Fridays with Dylan.
Fridays are currently the most common day for artists to release their new music, but how do you decide what to listen to first? Over each weekend, I will be giving a listen or two to the top three most popular songs (determined by iTunes and Spotify chart performance and ratings) released from that Friday/anything from that same week. By Monday or Tuesday of each week, you can expect a full review on the top three releases and whether to “play or nay” them. Without further ado, let’s get to it!
“Electricity” by Silk City and Dua Lipa
This week’s biggest and most anticipated release was Silk City (a duo made up of Diplo and Mark Ronson) and Dua Lipa’s “Electricity.” All three artists have been teasing this collaboration since early June. It was finally released this past Friday on all platforms. Dua Lipa, who provides the vocals on this smooth, groovy house track, has already seen major success this year with her solo smash hit “New Rules” and her summer-smash collab “One Kiss” with DJ Calvin Harris.
Throughout my first listen, I admit, I did get a bit bored. After giving it a couple more listens, this song is very unique, has a good variety of instruments and sounds, and definitely has good potential when it comes to radio airplay. “Electricity” debuted at No. 6 on the worldwide iTunes chart and No. 191 on the Spotify global chart. Play or Nay: Play.
“Everybody Dies” by Logic
“Everybody Dies” is Logic’s third single from his upcoming project, Young Sinatra IV, set to be released before the end of the year. Logic has had a very busy yet successful year; he performed on the VMA’s last month, the Grammy’s earlier this year, and was even a Grammy nominee for song of the year and video of the year with his suicide awareness song “1-800-273-8255” which features pop artist Alessia Cara and hip-hop/R&B artist Khalid.
Unfortunately, I was not too impressed with this track. “Everybody Dies” is basically just a four-minute-long freestyle about how “most rappers come and go” and Logic has been here for “10 years and runnin.’” The lyrics are well thought out and put together, but his flow is too fast for me, personally, to even enjoy or sing along to. “Everybody Dies” debuted at No. 117 on the worldwide iTunes chart and No. 109 on the Spotify global chart. Play or Nay: Nay
“I Love It” by Kanye West
Last but not least, “I Love It” by rapper Kanye West featuring Lil Pump was also a surprise release this week. Both of these artists have seen major success this year: Kanye dropped an EP titled Ye, and Pump is steadily getting his name out there and is expected to drop a project next week called Harverd Dropout. This was a very unexpected collab due to the fact that Pump is still a new artist and Kanye has been around for quite some time. The lyrics to the two-minute track are repetitive, vulgar and lazy, but it has an admittedly catchy beat. “I Love It” debuted at No. 14 on the iTunes worldwide chart and No. 40 on the Spotify global chart. Play or Nay: Play
I’m Dylan Jahnke, and this is my second year with 42Fifty, which I first joined as a staff member. I am a senior at Oswego High School, and I plan to study mass communications/music management in college. I hope to one day have my own radio talk show or get into artist management. If I’m not writing or editing for 42Fifty, I’m either working at Culver’s, hanging out with friends and family, or doing homework. I am humbled to say I began my 42Fifty career my junior year as a staff writer, then Arts & Entertainment editor first semester of my senior year and now Editor-in-Chief.
Excellent article, Dylan Jahnke!
Thank you!