Happy New Music Friday everyone! This week we have the latest song from DJ/producer extraordinaire Zedd with his new collaborative pairing in the talented Jasmine Thompson; a very legendary and epic collaboration from Kygo and Tina Turner; an all-new Ellie Goulding song which is a part of her fourth album out today; a brand new Keith Urban song that’s sure to make listeners smile, plus a heartfelt tune from newcomer/folk singer-songwriter Anson Seabra.
“Funny” by Zedd & Jasmine Thompson
Grammy-winning artist Zedd and English singer-songwriter Jasmine Thompson have teamed up for what’s sure to be their next big hit song! This song is about someone who broke up with someone else and that someone else is trying to come back to make amends but its simply too late. Fans and listeners who’ve moved on with a new and happier relationship can relate to this song the most if they too see their ex attempting to re-enter their respective life.
The above music video contains a macOS interface with the apps Photobooth, Zoom and iMessage in the forefront. After Thompson breaks off with this proverbial relationship on iMessage, she receives a surprising text from Zedd in the prospects of collaborating thanks to fellow Grammy nominee Lewis Capaldi (“Someone You Loved”) who gave him her number. See through the creative video as Capaldi himself hilariously makes a cameo.
Overall, the song was nicely produced and Thompson’s vocals match well with the melody of the song. I presume this song along with his previously released songs like “365” with Katy Perry, “Good Thing” with Kehlani and “The Middle” with Maren Morris and Grey which went multi-Platinum two years ago will be a part of his upcoming third album which has yet to be titled.
“What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Kygo & Tina Turner
The hitmaker from Norway has done it again! This time Kygo teams up with the legendary Tina Turner to remix her classic #1 hit song from 1984.
Kygo isn’t shy from remixing previously released songs from other artists. He reimagined the late Whitney Houston’s “Higher Love” last summer which hit #1 on the Billboard Dance Club songs charts and is Gold-certified by the RIAA.
Like “Higher Love,” Kygo only enhances the original work. Because of this remix, I feel a whole new generation of listeners around the world will be discovering Turner’s discography as well as the flip side of things, older generations will be finding out about Kygo’s work after this. Win-win for them both!
The music video for this remix features actress Laura Harrier (BlacKkKlansman, Spider-Man: Homecoming) and TV actor Charles Michael Davis (NCIS New Orleans, Younger) as the main leads.
“Love I’m Given” by Ellie Goulding
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding drops her fourth album, Brightest Blue today and one of those songs I wanted to highlight this week is “Love I’m Given.” This song sees a vulnerable Goulding expressing her past mistakes in life and her desires to start a new chapter by turning over the proverbial leaf. She sees a brighter future with a new relationship in this song as well who acknowledges her for being human and that it’s okay to make mistakes in life.
Sonically, this song gives me chills and I believe it will do so for the Goulding fans/stans as well. Changes are inevitable in life and this change is proving to be fruitful for Goulding as we embark on this new era of her amazing career. A lot of positive buzz surrounds this record, so go check that out for yourself.
The new album contains 19 new tracks and features collaborations with serpentwithfeet, blackbear, Lauv, Diplo, Swae Lee & the late Juice WRLD.
“Superman” by Keith Urban
Country singer Keith Urban has been on a roll lately putting out new music during this pandemic. This single follows last month’s collaboration with DJ Dzeko in “Both Still Young.” I covered that song in the June 12th edition of New Music Friday, check that post out here if you haven’t done so yet. Today he releases “Superman,” a song about relishing on the good old days with a past relationship.
I like the creative approach for this music video which was done flipbook style, it’s part animated and part IRL with vibrant backgrounds containing creative motifs. If you’re interested in learning more of the creative process, watch this video as artist Andy Bailey (@andymation) breaks down how he drew Urban for the cool new music video. Overall, its a feel good jam that anyone can be in the mood to listen to.
This song is slated to be part of Urban’s upcoming twelfth studio album, The Speed Of Now Part 1 which is due to be released on September 18.
“Hurricane” by Anson Seabra
Rising singer-songwriter Anson Seabra’s new single “Hurricane” caps off this week’s list of picks you have to listen to! I stumbled upon this track on Spotify and to be honest I wished I discovered him sooner. This track is so good and so soothing for your ears. It will have you empathizing his lyrics because it delves into a heartbroken soul who has lost the love of his life.
Getting dumped is a terrible feeling to experience in life and Seabra excellently uses the weather phenomenon as a metaphor for the pain and sorrow one would feel after a breakup.
Props to Seabra for braving all of the “elements” during the music video production. He had to do multiple takes of getting wet and drying off just to perform the song in the video.
If you enjoy music from artists like Niall Horan, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, or The Fray, just to name a few, then you’ll like Seabra’s vocal stylings.
That concludes another edition of New Music Friday! What picks will you be listening to this week? Let me know in the comments below. Come back next Friday as I breakdown the next five songs you need to listen! Stay safe and happy listening!
Philip's Music Corner 