New Music Round-Up: Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Demi Lovato & Much More

Calvin Harris Ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande – ‘Heatstroke’

A few weeks ago, Calvin Harris shared his mission statement with us; “In 2017 I'm making music to make your soul happy!!!!”

So far, he’s more than delivered on that promise.

Calvin Harris is in the form of his life right now. Hot from releasing the Frank Ocean & Migos-featuring ‘Slide’ – a feel-good, sun-tinged single that, courtesy of Offset, packed in one of the year’s best verses – Calvin is back with more of the same. Which is a great thing.

This time, Frank and two-thirds of Migos are substituted for Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande in a track that sounds exactly how a cool breeze, gently washing over your face, feels.

Kendrick Lamar – ‘HUMBLE.’

Another week, another new Kendrick Lamar track. 

“I'm so f*ckin' sick and tired of the Photoshop / Show me somethin' natural like afro on Richard Pryor / Show me somethin' natural like ass with some stretch marks,” Kendrick raps.

April 7 can’t come soon enough.

Whether ‘The Heart Part 4’, released last week, and ‘HUMBLE.’ will feature on Kendrick's new record, (it’s been two years since the game-changing To Pimp A Butterfly, and one since the b-sides compilation, Untitled Unmastered), is up for debate. But what we really need to talk about is the music video below. Heaving with religious imagery, depictions of urban life and some of the very best visuals of any music video released in 2017 (1:30-2:06!), it’s a must-watch.

What are you waiting for?

Cheat Codes Ft. Demi Lovato – ‘No Promises’

The 'Sex' hit-makers team up with Demi (and her stellar vocals) on this club-ready new track…

Wizkid Ft. Drake – ‘Come Closer’

Drake and Nigeria’s Wizkid, the minds behind ‘One Dance’, recombine for a new track that doesn’t sound a world away from…well…’One Dance’.

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’

alt-J – ‘In Cold Blood’

With a third album, RELAXER, set to drop June 2, alt-J continue to get us pumped. ‘In Cold Blood’ might not feature killer vocals from Wolf Alice’s Ellie Roswell, as heard in ‘3WW’, but it makes up for it in sheer, reckless ambition. Featuring an explosive brass chorus, recorded in Abbey Road, as well as keys made on a Casiotone bought off eBay for £1.05, this is the sound of alt-J moving their game up a gear.

Kasabian – ‘Comeback Kid’

Towering brass, soaring vocals, could this open up the band’s Reading & Leeds headline slot? Perhaps…

We can’t wait for more from Kasabian. Hit play.

Joey Bada$$ Ft Schoolboy Q – ‘ROCKABYE BABY’

Did Joey take inspiration from Clean Bandit on his new single? Probably not...

With his second album, ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$, set to release on April 7 – when everything in music is releasing, Joey Bada$$ is ramping up anticipation. ‘ROCKABYE BABY’, is a dark, angry track featuring piano keys (that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror film) and a verse lashing out against Donald Trump, "If you bout this revolution, please stand up/ We ain't go no one to trust/ Time is running up, feel the burn in my gut/ And if you got the guts, scream 'F*ck Donald Trump."

Like we said at the top of this article – April 7 can’t come soon enough.

Bleachers - 'Don't Take The Money'

Jack Antonoff is a talented person. Heard most recently on Lorde’s euphoric ‘Green Light’, (his handiwork will be heard all over the New Zealander’s second album, Melodrama), Jack has also written for the likes of Taylor Swift and Zayn. He’s also in the group, fun. Oh, and he’s a three-time Grammy Award-winning artist.

He’s ‘quite good’, some would say. His new track for his other project, Bleachers, ‘Don’t Take The Money’, is made with huge rooms in mind.

Becky Hill – ‘Rude Love’

The 'Piece Of Me' singer returns with her latest solo single, which packs in strings and an electronic chorus that whacks you like a train. Click play.