Weekend Playlist: New Drops You’ll Need On Repeat
It’s mid-July, the times are lengthy, the nights are heat, and whether or not you’re heading to a yard cling, dancing till dawn, or simply zoning out along with your headphones, the appropriate playlist makes all of the distinction. This week’s roundup brings warmth from each nook: comeback singles, international collaborations, and songs that sit someplace between a sluggish burn and an all-out banger.
From Drake’s introspective new period and BLACKPINK’s high-energy return to Clipse linking up with Nas and AJR dropping one in every of their extra dialed-in tracks, there’s a lot to unpack. However don’t miss THEKOIWAY’s “La Calle Quema”—a gritty, genre-blurring anthem years within the making that captures the stress and resilience of life on the transfer. Regardless of your vibe, there’s one thing right here to lock into this weekend.
THEKOIWAY – La Calle Quema
Begin your weekend with “La Calle Quema,” the most recent from THEKOIWAY—a fiery mix of funk, hip-hop, and Latin soul that hits as onerous as its message. A decade within the making, the observe began in a Mexico Metropolis studio in 2012 and was reimagined in Brooklyn in 2024, that includes Chilean rapper Jamez Manuel (Zonora Level). With stay drums, sharp verses, and manufacturing assist from mixer Rocky Gallo (Norah Jones, CeeLo Inexperienced) and mastering engineer Tom Waltz (Fleetwood Mac, Alicia Keys), it’s a daring, streetwise anthem. Behind it’s Chilean producer Victor Vildósola, whose genre-defying undertaking fuses Andean devices, funk grooves, and Latin people into one thing uncooked, international, and deeply human. “La Calle Quema” dives into survival and inequality, portray vivid scenes from Santiago to the Bronx—it’s gritty, sincere, and unattainable to disregard.
Drake – What Did I Miss
Drake is in reflection mode on “What Did I Miss?”, the primary drop from his upcoming Iceman undertaking. With moody manufacturing and a way of private reckoning, followers are already speculating that he’s unpacking the fallout from his 2024 beef with Kendrick—and the way it’s reshaped the individuals round him. The rollout began with Iceman: Episode 1, a laid-back livestream the place he cruised round Toronto in a truck and ended up surrounded by followers. As anticipation builds forward of his Wi-fi Pageant 2025 set, this observe seems like a mushy launch into a brand new chapter.
Justin Bieber – Swag
On the title observe of his new album, Justin Bieber hyperlinks up with Money Cobain and longtime collaborator Eddie Benjamin for “Swag,” the album’s most hip-hop-forward second—and one in every of its greatest. The trio shares the mic with confidence and chemistry, coasting over a slick beat as they chant, “I’ll put you on.” Money brings the perspective (“That’s swag, for sure”), nevertheless it’s Benjamin’s easy vocals that actually elevate the observe. It’s a assured, no-skip flex that delivers precisely what it guarantees.
Clipse – Let God Type Em Out
The Clipse comeback is actual—, and “Let God Type Em Out / Chandeliers” proves they haven’t misplaced a step. With chilly, stripped-down manufacturing and razor-sharp bars from Pusha T and Malice, the observe explores religion, survival, and legacy in just below three minutes. A shock beat swap brings in Nas, who provides weight with a low-key, reflective verse. It’s tight, elegant, and leaves you wanting extra—proof that Clipse can nonetheless lower deep with precision and restraint.
BLACKPINK – Leap
“Leap” marks BLACKPINK’s daring return, fusing their signature style mashup with a hardstyle twist. The brassy, trumpet-led hook seems like a World Cup anthem by the use of a spaghetti Western, and whereas it doesn’t go full throttle, it’s filled with cinematic aptitude. Lyrically, it’s all about slicing unfastened along with your women and forsaking whoever can’t sustain. Practically three years since their final group title observe, “Leap” exhibits that BLACKPINK hasn’t missed a beat—, even in a fast-moving Okay-pop panorama.
Deftones – My Thoughts Is a Mountain
Deftones are again with “My Thoughts Is a Mountain,” a slow-building, atmospheric observe that balances metallic grit with moody magnificence. It channels the layered textures of Ohms and White Pony, however with a sharper distinction between distorted guitars and ethereal white noise. Chino Moreno’s haunting vocals convey a melodic weight to the chaos, pushing the observe into deeply cinematic territory. It’s tense, textured, and a reminder of how deftly Deftones mix aggression with introspection.
Tyla – Is It
Tyla would possibly’ve simply dropped a sleeper hit of the summer time with “Is It”—a sultry, assured shift into R&B that trades Amapiano bounce for one thing somewhat steamier. Produced by Sammy Soso, Ari PenSmith, Believve, and Mocha Bands, the observe rides a sticky, late-night beat whereas Tyla’s easy supply makes the lyrics pop. “Is it the fucks that I don’t give?” she asks—daring, playful, and completely made for TikTok. Catchy sufficient for dance flooring, cool sufficient for rooftop nights, and sharp sufficient to stay.
AJR – Betty
“Betty” is a enjoyable one—catchy, quirky, and unmistakably AJR. Constructed on a strong instrumental basis and a novel manufacturing fashion, it leans into the band’s theatrical pop sensibilities with out getting too chaotic. The vocal melodies are sticky in one of the simplest ways, and whereas the tune would possibly come off as simply “alright” on first hear, it’s onerous to disclaim how earwormable it’s. Lyrically, it’s extra centered than a few of their previous work, which supplies the observe somewhat further polish. It’s not making an attempt to be profound—it simply desires to soundtrack your summer time within the weirdest, most charming method attainable.
Good Neighbours – Suburbs
Good Neighbours—aka Scott Verrill and Oli Fox—sluggish issues down with “Suburbs,” a quietly highly effective observe that builds with out ever bursting. With hushed vocals, mushy percussion, and mild guitar work, it’s a masterclass in subtlety. Lyrically, it captures the push-pull of consolation and restlessness, the form of reflection that sneaks up on you in late summer time. Emotional however by no means heavy-handed, it’s a observe that rewards endurance—and performs greatest when the solar’s simply beginning to dip.