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5 songs you need to stream this week: MGMT, Jamila Woods, and more

By Parker Hall July 23, 2016

best songs to stream 6 22 16 jamila woods — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Every week, there are hundreds of thousands of new songs hitting the airwaves. It’s too much for just your two ears to handle: With all those options, you can’t be wasting your time on tracks worthy of a thumbs-down click.

But don’t worry, we’re going to save you the hassle. We listen to some of the most-hyped and interesting songs each week, and tell you which are worthy of your precious listening time.

Here are our top 5 songs to stream this week — and remember to subscribe to our Spotify playlist for all of our weekly picks.

MGMT — Goodbye Darling

MGMT released a cover of Goodbye Darling this week, an homage to iconic Suicide frontman Alan Vega, who passed away recently at the age of 78. Uncharacteristically lacking the band’s iconic electro-pop sensibility, the single showcases their immense talent for musical interpretation, delivering a straight-forward rocker which sounds nothing like the band that brought you Electric Feel.

Jamila Woods — VRY BLK (Feat. Noname)

Chance The Rapper collaborator Jamila Woods weaves a schoolyard classic into a neo-R&B masterpiece on VRY BLK, an activist song about police violence. An all-female number which features Woods’ elegant vocals and the rap stylings of fellow Chicago resident Noname, this single is a compelling 21st century protest song that is well worth a spin.

Carl Broemel — Snowflake

A beautiful meandering acoustic number from My Morning Jacket Guitarist Carl Broemel, Snowflake was inspired by a book called The Hidden Messages in Water, in which a scientist flash-freezes droplets while people think good or bad thoughts. Good thoughts manifested pretty snowflakes, and negative thinkers created ugly frozen messes. It’s an interesting concept that’s well explored in this compelling four-minute single with gorgeous layered guitars, indicating that Broemel was clearly thinking good thoughts during its creation.

Young Summer — Paused Parade

An introspective smattering of expressive harmonies and free-flowing vocals, the latest single from Washington DC songstress Young Summer is beautiful sonic wallpaper fit for a big white art gallery. Gentle and deep, this single isn’t particularly well-suited to summer, but it’s certainly one to save for your next foggy day.

Ultimate Painting — Bills

Consistent curators of singles that are equal parts mellow listening and exercise inspiring, Ultimate Painting return to form with their latest single Bills, a somber tune about lazy joblessness. The London-based duo create a sound that’s lo-fi but extremely relatable, and the track is both of those things and more.

BONUS: Tiffany Trump — Like A Bird (Feat. Sprite & Logic)

Tiffany Trump - Like A Bird (feat. Sprite & Logic)

Given the RNC is wrapping up, we pulled out this little pop ditty released by none other than Republican nominee Donald Trump’s then 17-year-old daughter Tiffany. Titled Like A Bird, this tune is an autotuned, Swedish-sounding (because of the nearly inaudible, reverb-drenched vocals) exploration into the bizarre. It should have been “yuge” when it came out, but sadly, it wasn’t. Maybe the renewed attention will give it another run?

That’s it for now, but check back every week for more new tunes to stream!

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…

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