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HEAT OF THE WEEK: JULY 23

New music from Dave, Lil Nas X, BOYSODA, Miss Blanks and more!

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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. Lil Nas X - INDUSTRY BABY ft. Jack Harlow

‘INDUSTRY BABY’ is Lil Nas X’s well-deserved victory lap. Backed by big brass horns, rating hi-hats, and bellowing 808s produced by Take a Daytrip and Kanye, Nas X raises a glass to his accomplishments, and barely leaves a drop for the naysayers to hydrate on. As he aptly puts in his first line on the track: “This one’s for the champions!” 2021’s Louisville slugger Jack Harlow collects his trophy on the second verse, using his acceptance speech to let off some fiery triplet flows. It’s an anthem rooted in the flex and bound to have you feeling yourself. 

02. Isaiah Rashad - Wat U Sed ft. Doechii, Kal Banx

The House is Burning, Isaiah Rashad’s new album drops next Friday. But to hold us over, he’s dropped some more early flames with ‘Wat U Sed’, a polymerisation of trap-stylings with some lush, transcendent synth work. Over the top of this unique sound, Rashad is simply gliding, hitting different flows and cadences as if it’s his second nature. Along for the ride is Doechii and Kal Banx, who take the wheel with their respective, hard-hitting verses. The house still stands for another week, but without a doubt, the match is ignited. 

03. The Kid LAROI - Not Sober ft. Polo G, Stunna Gambino

‘Not Sober’ is a somber tune that finds LAROI at his most vulnerable, narrating his struggles with relationships and adversity in his life, using the avoidance of sobriety as a device to sidestep the pain. He reads from the open book of his consciousness, crooning each word with a relatable realism. Polo G and upcoming prospect Stunna Gambino each handle a verse, sharing their perspectives and making this one a highlight on LAROI’s newly released project F*CK LOVE 3: OVER YOU.

04. Tommy Genesis - A Woman is a God

Reopen the clubs! Because ‘A Woman is a God’ is one destined to pop off at the next function. It’s bound to find dancefloors, thanks to the minimalist yet hard-hitting house production courtesy of The Martinez Brothers. Tommy finds her pocket over the drum patterns with ease, commanding the atmosphere like she’s emceeing her own event. It’s a satisfying taste of her upcoming album goldilocks x, which releases September 10th. 

05. BOY SODA - LOVEU2BITS

‘LOVEU2BITS’ shines in summer-soaked vibrance. The jangly guitars and bubbly synths set the tone for Boy Soda to serenade his romantic interest like John Cusack outside the house with a boombox. The NSW singer/producer expresses his love via soaring falsettos and impassioned lyrics that celebrate the little things found in unity. It’s sweet, soft, and set to the tone of intimacy.

06. Miss Blanks - Fly High

A lot of us are stuck in the house, so let’s listen to Miss Blanks delve into the sounds of house. ‘Fly High’ is pure escapism, encapsulating the feeling of entering the club, and getting ready to bounce. Oh Boy’s production is rich with synths that sing a tune of luxury, like ordering a $25 cocktail at the bar. But when that four-to-the-floor hits and Miss Blanks starts to spit, it’s time to leave that straw behind, and shuffle on down to the dance floor. It’s a fun, feel-good frenzy, and a welcome return for Blanks. 

07. Dave - Law of Attraction ft. Snoh Aalegra

It’s always damn good to hear Dave; ‘Law of Attraction’ is not an exception. Reuniting the London rapper with producer JAE5, this track is a fusion of afrobeat-inspired drum patterns and smooth, soulful keys, blasted into bliss by a hook from 2021’s R&B MVP Snoh Aalegra. Dave is in top form on the verses, telling a tale of lust through insightful wordplay and an effortless swagger, which continues as a consistent theme in his newly released album We’re All Alone in This Together.

08. Alewya - Spirit_X

Alewya’s ‘Spirit_X’ is a love letter to the art of the rave, but you can leave the glow sticks and gimmick shutter shades at home. This is about transcendence, and the uplifting spiritual awakening of energy that’s found in experimental, drum-and-bass. Paying homage to the timeless genre, the London-based artist arranges an orchestra of atmospheric synths that soar over the fast BPM of the drum patterns, sounding like the middle ground found between The Prodigy and Shlohmo. Vocally, she pairs spoken raps and melodies like she’s commanding her own club, with each bar serving as a beacon to bust a move. 

09. Smiley - Over The Top ft. Drake

The 6 side continues to shoot to the top! Canadian legend Drake has linked up with Toronto up and comer Smiley for ‘Over The Top’, a track that does its title justice. Backed by the crushing sounds of Tay Keith’s production, Drizzy comes in comfortable with a consistent triplet flow, serving as the opening act for Smiley’s unique delivery and vocal inflections. It’s old meets new, legend meets prospect and a collaboration destined for DJ setlists. 

010. Kase Avila x Jade Kenji - Teardrops

Teardrops is an automatic highpoint on Kase Avila and Jade Kenji’s new collaborative mixtape Maroyaka, inspired by the Japanese word for smooth in tone and taste. This track embodies that, as Kase’s production uses sleek synths and a poignant bassline to create a feeling of euphoria, referencing the Womack & Womack classic ‘Teardrops’ and pairing it with the vibes of 90s R&B. Jade floats upon the watery sounds, combining her soulful melodies and swagger-heavy raps to create a versatile smorgasbord of goodness.