There has been a lot of great new music released over the last few weeks. You can find out what was released this weekend in our New Music Report, but take a look at what we've been listening to lately. Our editors Nicole and Isha have shared some of their Expert Picks for the week. Check it out below.
Nicole's Picks:
Thirty Seconds to Mars - "Dangerous Night"
Thirty Seconds to Mars is back with a brand new single, and it's the second from their yet-to-be-named fifth studio album (which will be their first since 2013's Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams). What's amazing about this song is it shows off the band's ability to be diverse in sound, as it takes a step back from their heavier rock style, but yet they still manage to make it sound like a 30STM track. The song itself is about a couple who knows they're no good for each other, but can't seem to hide their feelings. You know, that ol' tale. After hearing the band's first single "Walk on Water," and now "Dangerous Night," can't wait to hear what the rest of this album sounds like!
Kent Jones - "Merengue"
Ah, yes Kent Jones. It's been a while. You may remember Kent from his hit debut single "Don't Mind" (I know you're singing the chorus in your head right now, don't lie), but the 24-year-old is back with -- in the words of DJ Khaled -- another one. "Merengue" will make you want to dance merengue with someone, as he sings in the chorus, "Dance merengue with you mama/Dance merengue know you wanna/A little Marc Anthony/It'll bring you right back to me." Jones also samples Big Pun's "Still Not a Player" with a line in the pre-chorus that goes, "Boricua, morena/Boricua, morena/Domicana, Colombiana, Americana, Italiana."
Follow Nicole on Twitter: @NicoleMastr0
James' Picks:
Julia Michaels - "Heaven"
After writing sex-drenched anthems for Selena Gomez and Britney Spears, it's no surprise that Julia Michaels knows how to pen them for herself. And "Heaven," her offering for the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, is the perfect example of her talents in the songwriting department. Atop some delicately catchy production, courtesy of MNEK, Tayla Parx, Brian "Peoples" Garcia & Morten Ristorp, the 24-year-old sings about a guy, who has changed her perspective on love, but might not ultimately be good for her. "No need to imagine'/ Cause I know it's true/ They say 'all good boys go to heaven'/ But bad boys bring heaven to you/ It's automatic/ It's just what they do," she croons with seduction over the moody melody. Michaels' "Heaven" follows a heavy set of contributions to the film soundtrack behind the likes of Hailee Steinfeld and BloodPop's "Capital Letters" and Liam Payne and Rita Ora's duet, "For You."
Willie Gomez - "Keep On"
If you told a barely-teenage Willie Gomez that he was going to move from the Dominican Republic to Miami and endure a defining era in his adolescence, it’d probably spark almost too many questions. Now, years down the line and a resume filled with dancing experience for Britney Spears, Kesha and Mary J Blige, the backup dancer-turned-budding singer has released his debut single to chronicle that exact journey. Produced by Davy Nathan, who has worked with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton and Patti Labelle, “Keep On” is a soothing pop/trop ode to optimism, detailing the adversity he’s faced in his younger years. "There is nothing more rewarding than singing your lyrics to your own story as you share a positive message with the world. We all need to a reason to 'Keep On,’” he told iHeartRadio in a statement. Click here to buy “Keep On” on iTunes.
Follow James on Twitter: @newyorkinstinct
Isha's Picks:
Lil Wayne featuring Juelz Santana - "Bloody Mary"
Lil Wayne just blessed us with his latest mixtape Dedication 6: Reloaded. The project has a number of hot tracks, but one that really stood out to us was “Bloody Mary.” This song is really special because it features Dipset’s own Juelz Santana. So, you already know that the bars on this track were out of this world. Weezy raps on the beat: “Now who am I / I’m who and why / I’m rude and kind / My cars are computerized / I’m cruising by / Smoking blunts reuben-sized / You fools can try / These tools getting utilized.”
Lil Jon featuring 2 Chainz and Offset – "Alive"
Wow, it’s been a minute since we heard any new music from Lil Jon… almost eight years to be exact. After the artist dropped 2010’s Crunk Rock, he practically went ghost in the music scene. Now, he’s making a comeback with the help of Offset and 2 Chainz. Jon dropped a new song entitled “Alive” and once you hear it, the fast-pasted track will definitely wake you right up. Jon dropped an accompanying music video for it, as well.
Follow Isha on Twitter: @IshaThorpe