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HEAT OF THE WEEK: FEB 26

Acclaim's favourite new tracks from home and around the world.

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Weekly updates


Welcome to Acclaim Magazine’s Heat of the Week. Here are our picks for the best new local and international releases — Don’t forget to follow our Spotify playlist too, it’s updated every Friday.

01. Joyce Wrice - On One ft. Freddie Gibbs

There’s no denying it: Joyce Wrice is truly on one. Over D’Mile’s funk-esque production, Joyce Wrice’s classic R&B vocals shine, with her passion gleaming as she breaks down the characteristics of her current relationship. The track features a verse from Freddie Gibbs, whose flow-switches and flex-heavy swagger provide a versatile way to close out the track. It’s reminiscent of the classic Ashanti and Ja-Rule collabs from the early 2000s. Fittingly: we’re mesmerized. 

02. Yeek - Valencia

This new joint from LA-based artist Yeek is essential for your late-night R&B playlist. Through reverberated, soulful vocals, the artist celebrates his success in this game thus far, laid over a bed of sombre, atmospheric production that he produced alongside Kevin Halasan. It’s quick, catchy, and has an immersive vibe.

03. Digga D - Bluuwuu

Digga D just dropped his new project Made In The Pyrex, and an instant standout is the hard-hitting track ‘Bluuwuu’. The Ladbroke Grove rapper’s unique flows and cadence shine throughout, over eerie, menacing production from Glvck. It’s what we’ve come to expect from Digga D, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

04. Raiza Biza - Family feat. Hollie Smith

RAIZA BAIZA’s smooth flows flourish over the jangly production of this new joint. It’s a sincere track about his love for family, told through introspective bars touchingly. It features vocals from Hollie Smith, whose soaring passionate vocals propel the song into euphoria. It’s taken off RAIZA’s new album A Summer In Retrograde, which is out now.

05. Liyah Knight & Nerve - Cheers

This new track from the Brisbane rapper and Sydney songstress encapsulates the feeling of raising your glass and celebrating the fact that we’re all keepin’ on keepin’ on. Liyah’s unique, soulful vocals on the hook contrast Nerve’s rap bars in a complimenting way, with shimmering production from Korkey Buchek hitting like the first sip of a tap beer on a Summer’s day. Unsurprisingly, this mega collab is fire.

06. Greentea Peng - Nah It Ain’t The Same

South East London songstress Greentea Peng describes this new song as “An expression and exploration of my utter confusion and inner conflicts amidst shifting paradigms.” This journey is told through witty social commentary and a smooth smorgasbord of basslines and keys, creating a psychedelic feel as she deconstructs her reality. It’s a taste of her upcoming album, which is slated to come soon.

07. iiiConic - Fast Lane ft. JessB

iiiConic has his foot on the gas with this one. Over a dense, bass-heavy beat, the Brisbane-based rapper reflects on his grind thus far through straightforward bars, before hitting ear-catching melodies on the hook. New Zealand rapper JessB pops up on the second verse, bringing her signature swagger through autotuned flows. The pair drive this one forward at full-speed, with this only destination being banger-territory. 

08. B Wise & Manu Crooks - Summer Fr3aks

Sydney heavyweights B. Wise and Manu Crooks celebrate the season with this one. The artists take it in turns popping off melodies and bars like they were champagne bottles, as they ride the ocean waves of synths and heavy 808s courtesy of i.amsolo and UNO Stereo. There might only be two days left of Summer left, but this one is bound to keep you freaky all year long.

09. Pop Smoke - AP

It’s always good to hear new music from the late, great Pop Smoke, especially when it coincides with his film debut in the movie Boogie. The track is laced with the impactful New York drill sound the rapper helped pioneer, with his deep, menacing voice hitting as deep as the 808s that amplify his swagger. It’s another banger, from a legend taken too soon.

010. Billy Davis - Dream No More ft. Ruel & Gensis Owusu

Billy Davis is kicking off his 2021 output with a huge collaboration of Australia’s best up-and-comers. ‘Dream No More’ features Ruel starting things off with smooth, solemn vocals, and Genesis comes in with soulful flows before they both harmonise in bliss to close things out. This is all over a buffet of keys and jangly guitars from Billy, creating an intoxicating dose of ecstasy.