The first official song release by 25-year-old singer-songwriter Lolahol will understandably draw the most headlines for the fact that its creator - whose real name is Lourdes Leon - is of course the daughter of an all-time pop great. The song is a triumph of survival - metaphorical and literal - but it’s also strikingly weary, as Tjay testifies, “They be like ‘Tjay, why do you move around with all them f–kin’ guns?’/ I just tell ’em that’s ’cause I don’t wanna die.” “I took seven shots, no shame/ Back to wall, I’m still gon’ blow you down, I ain’t no stain,” he spits over a dolorous piano-led beat from KXVI, DesirezBeats and KBeaZy.
It’s of course totally impossible to listen to Lil Tjay‘s emotional new solo single “Beat the Odds” without hearing it in the shadow of the recent attempted robbery that nearly resulted in his murder - not the least of all because Tjay raps about it himself in the new single.
Spears’ welcome presence is more supportive than leading, but this should certainly help tide her fans over until she’s ready for.her proper star return. “Hold Me Closer” stitches verses from 1992’s “The One” with the eternal chorus to 1971’s “Tiny Dancer,” over a blissful beat helmed by pop powers Cirkut and Andrew Watt - and once again, the whole somehow ends up more than the sum of its parts. Rap fans will no doubt find plenty of potential personal favorites from the 18-track set to choose from our early picks for highlights include the soulful 21 Savage showcase “Way Past Luck,” the Eddie Murphy-sampling Migos near-reunion “Party All the Time” and of course, the eight-minute title track, capped by an epic Jay-Z verse sure to dominate Twitter this weekend.Įlton John & Britney Spears, “Hold Me Closer”Īfter Elton John made pop magic alongside Dua Lipa repurposing songs from his past over a euphoric dance-pop beat on 2021’s “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” could he capture lightning in a bottle twice using the formula in 2022 with Britney Spears - in her first major appearance on record since the end of her conservatorship? The answer, surprisingly, seems to be yes. The rest of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist this week could scarcely boast a greater list of A-listers and rising talents as DJ Khaled’s typically star studded new affair, God Did, including Drake, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Kanye West, Eminem, Future, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, 21 Savage and Roddy Ricch - and that’s just on the first five tracks.