50.
NewJeans:

“Hype Boy”

Breakout single from rising K-pop group NewJeans, “Hype Boy” is a fresh take on the often formulaic genre. This group is ready to take over.

When should you listen?
High school dance-off

Listen: NewJeans, “Hype Boy”

49.
Fred again..:

“Danielle (smile on my face)”

An electronic cut sampling looped 070 Shake vocals, this track is a seriously fun listen that channels emotion like no other.

When should you listen?
A busy dance floor

Listen: Fred again.., “Danielle (smile on my face)”

48.
MIKE:

“Nuthin I Can Do Is Wrng”

The first single from MIKE’s forthcoming LP, the underground rapper glides over the vocal sample in the production. He sounds refreshed.

When should you listen?
New York subway

Listen: MIKE, “Nuthin I Can Do Is Wrng”

47.
Tre’ Amani (ft. Shina Mack):

“Heaven$ Or Hell$”

Backed behind grand production, Brent Faiyaz affiliate Tre’ Amani drops one of the hardest intros of the year that sounds like it could be on a comeback Fun. album.

When should you listen?
A beach in Costa Rica

Listen: Tre’ Amani (ft. Shina Mack), “Heaven$ Or Hell$”

46.
beabadoobee:

“See you Soon”

A breezy track, “See you Soon” is Beabadoobee acknowledging that she needs space and time to grow. While it may not be a goodbye to her ex, she leaves with a see you soon.

When should you listen?
After seeing your crush for the last time in a long time

Listen: beabadoobee, “See you Soon”

45.
Loyle Carner:

“A Lasting Place”

With minimal drums and a piano, Loyle Carner delivers an intimate performance that finds the rapper trying to make sense of his torn family life from both him and his mother’s perspective.

When should you listen?
The drive home from Thanksgiving

Listen: Loyle Carner, “A Lasting Place”

44.
Khruangbin & Leon Bridges:

“Mariella”

What sounds like the perfect track to the moon’s rise on the highway, Leon Bridges uses his soothing voice to create a soft ballad that has him wishing upon a star for Mariella.

When should you listen?
Under the Texas moonlight

Listen: Khruangbin & Leon Bridges, “Mariella”

43.
Bad Bunny:

“Un Verano Sin Ti”

Bad Bunny is a master at creating music to dance through the pain. Lamenting over a summer without your significant other has never sounded so good.

When should you listen?
After hours at a reggaeton club

Listen: Bad Bunny, “Un Verano Sin Ti”

42.
easy life (ft. Kevin Abstract):

“DEAR MISS HOLLOWAY"

A mellow bedroom pop cut with a touch of rap courtesy of Kevin Abstract, “DEAR MISS HOLLOWAY” laments a lost love that can hopefully be tried again in another life.

When should you listen?
When your crush has reservations

Listen: easy life (ft. Kevin Abstract), “DEAR MISS HOLLOWAY"

41.
Joey Bada$$:

“Zipcodes”

“Zipcodes” is Joey Bada$$ at his most arrogant. Over illustrious production, the New York rapper lets the world know how sleeping on him is a grave mistake.

When should you listen?
A stroll down SoHo

Listen: Joey Bada$$, “Zipcodes”

40.
Syd (ft. Lucky Daye):

"CYBAH"

“CYBAH” or “Could You Break A Heart” is a groovy soul ballad that finds Syd & Lucky Daye trying to determine if the potential of true love is worth the simultaneous risk of a painful heartbreak.

When should you listen?
When trying to determine if you should put your heart on the line

Listen: Syd (ft. Lucky Daye), "CYBAH"

39.
Koffee:

“x10”

The intro track to Jamaican singer Koffee’s album “Gifted” sets the tone with optimism. She sings of being grateful to God for her blessings and simply being alive.

When should you listen?
During your morning shower

Listen: Koffee, “x10”

38.
Lancey Foux:

“ALL NIGHT LONG”

One of the catchiest choruses, Lancey Foux repeats over and over how long his lover wants to spend with him until the melody cannot escape the listener’s head. This is melodic rap at its best.

When should you listen?
A late night out past 2 A.M.

Listen: Lancey Foux, “ALL NIGHT LONG”

37.
A$AP ANT (ft. A$AP Rocky):

“The God Hour”

A song that has been teased for over a year, “The God Hour” is an A$AP Mob cut overflowing with nonchalant swag. Rocky comes through with a catchy hook and also drops a verse of his own.

When should you listen?
When you want to feel richer than you actually are

Listen: A$AP ANT (ft. A$AP Rocky), “The God Hour”

36.
Beyoncé:

“ALIEN SUPERSTAR”

A song that will evacuate all to the dance floor, “ALIEN SUPERSTAR” is a creative cut that interpolates “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred. The Queen exudes classiness in royal fashion.

When should you listen?
Trying on new outfits that are out of your comfort zone

Listen: Beyoncé, “ALIEN SUPERSTAR”

35.
Action Bronson (ft. Yung Mehico):

“Storm Of The Century”

The closing track to Action Bronson’s album, “Storm Of The Century” is like watching the closing credits play to your favorite indie movie. Yung Mehico’s saxophone outro is the chef’s kiss.

When should you listen?
On a speedboat in Corcovado

Listen: Action Bronson (ft. Yung Mehico), “Storm Of The Century”

34.
Quavo & Takeoff:

“HOTEL LOBBY”

The lead single from their collaborative album, Quavo & Takeoff came out the gate with a strong duo performance displaying a hunger they haven’t shown since their debut. Rest in peace to Takeoff, a life taken too soon.

When should you listen?
Aux cord with the squad

Listen: Quavo & Takeoff, “HOTEL LOBBY”

33.
FKA twigs (ft. daniel caesar):

“careless”

A soft duet between FKA twigs & Daniel Caesar, both artists sing of infatuation for their significant other. Each artist brings incredible vocal inflections that would make this song a challenge to attempt a cover.

When should you listen?
Igniting a love interest fueled by infatuation

Listen: FKA twigs (ft. daniel caesar), “careless”

32.
Taylor Swift:

“Sweet Nothing”

The penultimate track on her latest album, Swift finds herself overwhelmed with all the expectations placed upon her in the industry. But through it all, she finds peace that her partner asks “sweet nothing” of her.

When should you listen?
When you feel loved for who you are and not what you do

Listen: Taylor Swift, “Sweet Nothing”

31.
MAVI:

“Doves”

Over low-key jazzy production, MAVI flows with honest feelings about himself, his relationships, and his artistry. He raps, “Don’t hate me in secret, give me all my flowers.”

When should you listen?
A walk along Los Angeles sidewalks

Listen: MAVI, “Doves”

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