Bars is Acclaim’s weekly wrap up of all the music we want you to get in on. Whether it’s new albums, mixtapes, tracks, or videos, we’re here wading through the noise to bring you only the finest happenings in the world of music. Hit the list below to see what we’ve been bumping this week.
Tommy Genesis describes her new single ‘Tommy’ as a song she wrote about her split personality, and it culminates in an eccentric oddball of a banger. The Vancouver rapper showcases a new sense of reckless braggadocio, as her flow rides perfectly over the heavy bass and fire-alarm synths, courtesy 808 expert Charlie Heat. With her new album looking to close out the year, as well the recent signing to Downtown/Interscope records, Tommy Genesis is looking to blast into a very successful 2018.
Fresh off her debut live performance at BIGSOUND, Aurelia has teamed up with Melbourne beatsmith Sensible J for a remix of her single ‘Are We Losing’. The results? An alluring, atmospheric combination of jazz, hip-hop, and alt-pop. Aurelia’s soft, enchanting voice perfectly suits the swirling keys of Sensible J’s production. Think Bjork on a J.Dilla beat, bewildering and beautiful.
Skepta hit us with some treats yesterday, no tricks. The UK rapper released his new ep Vicious for Halloween, and it’s tightly packed with slugs of hard-hitting hip-hop. Featuring artists like A$AP Rocky, Lil B, and the Section Boyz, Skepta wastes no time getting to the grime with this new project. The only problem? We want more.
The prince and the king reunited last (GOOD) Friday with the release of this new single ‘Dat Side’, which is slated to appear on CyHi’s upcoming album No Dope On Sundays. The track features both rappers at their peak, maximizing their flows and wordplay to compliment the ominous trap beat. From lines about baptizing lambo’s and Mortal Kombat cheat codes, both rappers seem to be heading into the new year like they were back in 2010, unified, and undeniably dope.
HVNCOQ’s new single ‘Out Of My Mind’, is one we can’t get out of our heads. The WVS signee’s new single is a smooth, R&B soaked slow jam with an undeniably catchy hook and introspective bars about self-worth. HVNCOQ’s melodic, bouncing flow is bound to have you singing along with the smooth keys of the instrumental. With his debut EP looking for a release early 2018, HVNCOQ is looking to blast his way to the forefront of the Melbourne hip-hop scene.
If Super Slimey wasn’t enough for you last week, two of our other favourite ATliens 21 Savage and Offset have teamed up with blockbuster beatsmith Metro Boomin for their surprise project Without Warning. The album cover features a wild dog barking, symbolising the grimy, guttural sound of this project. The juxtaposition of 21’s murderous murmur, and Offset’s fast triplet flows make Without Warning mandatory Halloween listening, with Metro Boomin’s haunting low-key beats acting as the perfect backdrop for this Freddy Vs Jason face off.
‘Baby’ is another excerpt of smooth, spacey alt-R&B courtesy of Sydney up and comer Anfa Rose. Produced by Miracle and DOPAM!NE, the warping synths and driving bass encapsulate the feeling of a late night cruise, with Anfa Rose’s croons sitting in between those of The Weeknd and Travis Scott. It’s atmospheric, enigmatic and solidifies Anfa Rose as one of the driving forces in Australian R&B.
Coming off his dark, distorted debut mixtape Love Rhubarb earlier this year, and previous work with artists like Lil Yachty, Adelaide rapper Yung Rhubarb has dropped a new animated video for his single ‘Fendi’. Featuring Spacegirl Gemmy, and production from Prince Gravy and Lex Luger. ‘Fendi’ features both rappers trading bars over an ethereal smorgasbord of eerie samples and distortion. Accompanied by nightmarish, dystopian visuals, ‘Fendi’ showcases Rhubarb enveloping new territories of darkness that most artists fail to grasp.
