So, we’ve all been waiting for Views. Well, maybe not all of us, but quite a few of us. The 6 God has that ability to make you pay attention, to keep the conversation going for months. The tracks on this list may not have had quite the same level of anticipation, but they certainly should keep you talking all the same. The countdown features some of Drake’s confidence, some of his rapping skills, and some of his melancholic emotionality. So, if you’re having a hard time getting Apple Music to load, enjoy this instead.
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10. Murph Watkins – “On Me”
Murph Watkins, aka Baby Juug, has more of his vamped, flamboyant flow to offer via “On Me”, produced by Rob Dinero. The last time we heard from the Chicago rapper was on the collaborative Goldie & Slim EP with longtime collaborator Wheatie. The new track doesn’t venture far off from the EP’s chill and ambient with feather-light piano flourishes and woozy, liquid synths. “On Me” boasts eerie production that coalesces with Juug’s hungover drawl and rapid-fire delivery as he roams around Chicago’s streets. The track does boast some pop leanings with Watkins’ party hooks: “I’m ridin’ round with like 50 swishas on me/ I’m a hood genie got 50 wishes on me.” —Alejandra Ramirez
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09. Nothing – “The Dead Are Dumb”
Philadelphia shoegazers Nothing are prepping for their sophomore album release, Tired of Tomorrow, via Relapse Records on May 13, which will follow up the acclaimed Guilty of Everything. While the label is a sanctuary to metal-heads, Nothing’s heavy leanings make their place right at home. While we’ve already heard album cuts, including the triumphant “Vertigo Flowers”, bludgeoning “Eaten by Worms”, and somber “ACD (Abscessive Compulsive Disorder)”, the band may have just released the best of the lot with “The Dead Are Dumb”. Just like “ACD”, the song is mournful and emotive with Dominic Palermo’s longing timbres as reverb-soaked guitars wail in the backdrop. —Alejandra Ramirez
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08. Smino – “menu”
Though it might read like a collection of dishes at a restaurant, take the title for the latest from St. Louis rapper Smino as a bit of text-speak and you’ll get his true intntions: “me ‘n u.” The track rides with that intimate tone, equal parts swanky R&B slide and bubbling trap depth. And if you’re looking for sexual innuendo about sitcoms, Adam Sandler, and Jolly Ranchers, well … besides you being pretty weird, Smino is your man. –Adam Kivel
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07. D∆WN – “Honest”
During an extensive Rinse FM mix last year, Kingdom teased an upcoming collaboration with Dawn Richard, aka D∆WN. Now we’ve got the first of what’s supposedly several songs that sees the two collaborating, and hopefully they see the light of day sooner rather than later given how slick their skills merge together on “Honest”. What starts as modest R&B explodes into an emotive dance ballad one minute in. Richard’s voice leaps to new levels, skipping across Kingdom’s light percussion with the ease of a child — though the lyrical content certainly isn’t coming from a kid — on a playground, ultimately bringing them a middle ground between FKA Twigs and The Weeknd. –Nina Corcoran
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