DAISY JONES & THE SIX – ‘REGRET ME’
Not only is ‘Regret Me’ an exciting debut single, but it arrives from a totally new band – a fictional one, albeit. The first single from the eponymous 1970s group based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book of the same name, ‘Regret Me’ is the rugged, rough-edged first taste of the forthcoming full album ‘Aurora’ – brought to life for the upcoming Amazon Prime series – which offers a glimpse into the fiery chemistry of the free-spirited Daisy Jones and hard rocker Billy Dunne.
SAMIA – ‘HONEY’
The title track from Samia’s second album – out today – exists in the “same world” as the raw, sombre ‘Breathing Song’, released as a double single to communicate her delicate vulnerability from different points of the spectrum. “To me it’s the saddest song I’ve ever written, because it’s mocking my attempt to convince people I was good,” she said of the track. “It’s all honey, honey / It’s all honey,” she repeats in a cool, collected refrain as she tries to convince herself everything is fine – a tune that could equally kick off a campfire sing-along or accompany a big old cry.
ZARA LARSSON – ‘CAN’T TAME HER’
Co-written with longtime collaborators MNEK and MTHR, the Swedish singer’s first release from her forthcoming new album is an exhilarating romp reminiscent of Jennifer Beals’ audition scene in ‘Flashdance’ or an 80s montage training sequence. “No, you can’t tame the girl / ‘Cause she runs her own world / So if she wanna party all night (All night) / No, you can’t tame her,” she hollers with boundless range. Adorned with retro synths and catchy keys, Larsson’s burning vocals soar high in the space between futurism and nostalgia.
ROSALÍA – ‘LLYLM (LIE LIKE YOU LOVE ME)’
On her first track of the year Rosalía sings in both Spanish and English, blending longing lyricism (“I don’t need the honesty/ Lie like you love me, lie like you love me/ Cover me in a dream, I’ll be yours or fantasy”) and her signature vocal ferocity. Peppered with sharp, rhythmic flamenco hand claps (palmas), the Spanish sensation again proves her ability to channel the searing passion of traditional folk elements with pop vulnerability and future-facing R&B influences.
CHLÖE – ‘PRAY IT AWAY’
When you would rather pray the feels away than give someone the satisfaction of knowing you still have them. The lead single from the forthcoming debut solo album of one half of sister duo Chlöe x Halle, ‘Pray It Away’ is a soulful, hymnal lament about a disloyal relationship. “And if the option’s violence, don’t make me choose it / God knows my heart, I’m wildin‘” she sings in a powerful, gospel chant. “But I’ma just pray it away before I give him what he deserves first.”
Listen to these and more of the week’s best releases in our BRAND NEW playlist.
