New Music Friday is intense. Hundreds of songs drop from artists around the world, and you’re supposed to somehow find the best ones. It’s fun work, but it’s time-consuming — so we at Billboard Dance want to give you a hand. Each week, we sift through the streams and dig in the digital crates to present five absolute must-hears from the wide breadth of jams.
This week’s collection features a wild tune from trap-master TroyBoi and crossover electro god Skrillex. Eric Prydz gives fans what they’ve always wanted with the first installment of an EP trilogy that brings unreleased heat into the light of day. Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson gives us an album of “sad bangers,” The Knocks team up with Nigerian singer Kah-Lo for a summery smash, and English electronic band Rudimental nab house heroes The Martinez Brothers for a massive international tune.
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Ain’t nothing left to it but to do it. Listen to all five below.
TroyBoi feat. Skrillex – “Warlordz”
One look at the cover art (created by Spanish painter Sanjulián and adapted by Marilyn Hue and Jade Fenix Hobday), and you know what you’re in for. This is giant gorilla fighting music. This is teeth-gnashing, jungle snarl dubstep, chopped up into a stitch-work sonic palette that plays like popcorn on your ears. Once the bass battle is over, the “Warlordz” kick back and survey their winnings set to a soundtrack of synth melodies that drift sweetly into the sunset.
Pryda – “Illumination”
It’s the first day of summer, so let the sun shine into your soul with this absolute beauty of an epic from one of the best in the business. Somehow, seven minutes with this dreamy synth still isn’t enough. “Illumination” is the first of six tracks on Pryda 15 Vol. 1. Two more EPs are set to follow, each a collection of Pryda’s most prized IDs from his 15-year career, all seeing official release for the first time. Put your hands up in the air for one of the best, and remember why he earned the title.
Mark Ronson feat. Alicia Keys, & The Last Artful, Dodgr – “Truth”
Mark Ronson’s breakup album is finally out in full. Late Night Feelings explores the catchier side of a broken heart, and while previously-released singles like its title track with Lykke Li and “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” with Yebba have our hips moving, we want to give a special shout out to deeper album cut “Truth” for its absolutely-fire attitude. This is soulful swag over really deliciously-degraded synth sounds. Of course, Ms. Alicia does work on the Keys, too.
The Knocks and Kah-Lo – “Awa Ni”
Dance fans may recognize this Nigerian singer’s voice from her work with UK producer Riton. Those tunes are club-forward and infectious, and The Knocks are big fans, but when the duo brought Kah-Lo into its New York City studio, it seemed the perfect opportunity to try something more summery. “Awa Ni” is Nigerian for “it’s us,” a phrase often used to praise someone, and a callback to Kah-Lo’s days running around with friends in the African sun. See how it feels when you sing it with this fresh beat poppin’ and the windows down.
Rudimental & The Martinez Brothers feat. Faith Mussa – “Sitigawana”
You don’t have to speak Malawi to fall in love with “Sitigawana.” You also don’t have to speak singer Faith Mussa’s language to understand his story, because the lovely lyrics are translated in the above video. This cool collaboration from the self-proclaimed “international soundsystem” and the funky bros is super bright and breezy, a perfect lead single for Rudimental’s upcoming EP, slated for release in July.