“Ring” was a song that we’d figure would have been pushed sooner as a single, considering it was Cardi B’s favorite song off her album, and it’s clear play for crossover appeal. It’s not one of our favorites but it does fill a certain lane for her. The video for it is fairly generic and feels like it’s been pulled straight from the early ’00s though. It’s like you always know what you’re going to get from an Imagine Dragons song but that sense of familiarity has yet to take away from the pure enjoyment present in their music and “Natural” might be one of their best yet – it’s got an effortless rhythm and their power pop elements are still some of the best since early Linkin Park. Not sure if this one is associated with the recent Slender Man film but it’s video has clearly been influenced by it. There are very few artists that we closely associate with those good old college days more than Atmosphere; they were practically a mainstay on campuses across the country and to see them still at it is heartening at the least. “Virgo” is that classic Atmosphere feel and the video, while extremely simple, is effective.
For as much s*it Russ gets from the internet (a lot of it self induced), it’s hard to argue that he doesn’t put out quality music. “The Flute Song” is another winner for him and just when you thought hip-hop’s infatuation with the flute was finally dying down, Russ shows you there’s still some juice left to be squeezed out of it. And even the video, while nothing special, is impossible to hate on with the palpable energy it oozes. Bas is back! His Too High To Riot follow up has been long anticipated over here and he’s only been stoking those flames more with his latest offerings which have been pure vibes all around. “Tribe” is such a smooth listen and anytime he and J. Cole team up it’s bound to be magic. Those tie die shirts and Haitian backdrops of the video really bring home the good natured essence of it all.
Check out everything I rounded up below and let me know which ones you’re most pumped for.
Cardi B – Ring (ft. Kehlani)
Imagine Dragons – Natural
Liam Payne – First Time (ft. French Montana)
The Chainsmokers – Side Effects (ft. Emily Warren)
Zedd – Happy Now (ft. Elley Duhé)
Atmosphere – Virgo
Russ – The Flute Song
Bas – Tribe (ft. J. Cole)
YBN Cordae – Scotty Pippen
YBN Nahmir – No Relations
MADEINTYO – Ned Flanders (ft. A$AP Ferg)
Method Man – Grand Prix
Too $hort – Ain’t My Girlfriend (ft. Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, French Montana, & Joyner Lucas)
N.O.R.E. – Big Chain (ft. Fabolous)
DJ Premier – WUT U SAID? (ft. Casanova)
Moneybagg Yo – Wat U On (ft. Gunna)
Shy Glizzy – Do You Understand (ft. Tory Lanez & Gunna)
Quavo – W O R K I N M E
Wiz Khalifa – Goin Hard
Jay Rock – Rotation 112th
Royce da 5’9″ – Summer On Lock (ft. Pusha T, Fabolous, Jadakiss, & Agent Sasco)
What’d you think about this week’s videos? Which ones were your favorites? Did I miss any that I should check out? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to subscribe to stay up with all the new content.
