#MFMF1: Raye, Iggy Azalea, Azealia Banks, Childish Gambino, Years & Years - Men's Folio
Arts & Culture, #MFMF

#MFMF1: Raye, Iggy Azalea, Azealia Banks, Childish Gambino, Years & Years

  • By Akashdeep Bal

Men’s Folio Music Fridays (#MFMF) brings you a range of weekly music updates, providing you with fresh new tracks or generally just great music to jam to. Whether you’re staring out the bus window pretending to be in a music video, or getting ready for a night out in the town, we have the perfect playlist featuring our favourite Singles, EPs and Albums from around the world.

 

5. Raye / Friends

How many “Friends” songs do we need this year? Anne-Marie and Marshmello gave us the ultimate friend-zone song “FRIENDS” earlier this year, and while The Carters (Beyoncé & Jazy-Z) blessed us with the surprise release of their joint album Everything Is Love, we can’t help but feel personally attacked by Bey who sang “My friends are goals, your friends are foes” on “Friends”.

And now, 21-year-old Londoner Raye released this future club banger, shortly after her EP Side Tape dropped this May. “Why is it if I’m not a boy I’m an enemy?/ This damn mentality is killin’ me”“Friends” focuses on the concept of females being pitted against each other — clearly an anthem for girls who get along. We have three variations of “Friends” already, can’t wait for more to come!

 

4. Iggy Azalea feat. Tyga / Kream

At number four, we have someone who topped the charts back in 2014, Miss Iggy Azalea. Featuring Tyga (after Kylie left him, does anybody actually care about him?) on her comeback single, she covers strip clubs, sex, money (what’s new?) and pop culture references (“Bella Hadid, homie could get it”). Exhibiting new found confidence after her previous singles flopped, it’s an easy rap-able song to get your ass shaking up the club.

 

3. Azealia Banks / Treasure Island

Queen of twitter feuds Azealia Banks has a new single “Treasure Island”, following her previous epic release “Anna Wintour”. The track, as she herself says, cannot be squeezed into one genre. Her new album Fantasea II is coming soon and will see her exploring and blending genres together.  

 

2. Childish Gambino / Summer Pack

Childish Gambino’s “This is America” took the world by storm as it touched on real political issues. Now he has what the Twitterverse deems as baby-making music with a pair of new songs under Summer Pack.

“Summertime Magic” and “Feels Like Summer” are to be the next summer hits, both offering the laid-back vibe of cruising down the street. Childish Gambino makes the track relatable by layering lyrics such as “Seven billion souls that move around the sun/ Rolling faster, faster, not a chance to slow down/ Slow down”  over a lush beat that sweeps you away from problems of the world.

 

1. Years & Years / Palo Santo

At number one, we have Palo Santo. Three years after their chart-topping debut “Communion”, this trio are back with their sophomore album and it’s a celebration of love. A pop album with hints of 1990s R&B and religious themes, it’s described as sensual and inspiring. Lead single “Sanctify” details his struggle in relationships with straight-identifying men in lyrics such as “You don’t have to be straight with me/ I see what’s underneath your mask”. Our favourite tracks include: “Hypnotised”, “Rendevous”, “Don’t Panic”, “Karma”… there are so many to pick from, we’re sure you can find a song that speaks to you. Check out the short film to better grasp the concept of the album.

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main image by Akashdeep Bal (@deeepbal)