Welcome to RXCOMMENDS, where our team of music curators pick the best tracks released this week. What new music has been occupying our office playlist and what fresh picks are we programming for our clients? Find out below!
“Italian Summer” – Andrea Ramolo
By: Michael Primiani
Between the Pixar movie Luca being one of the most popular films right now and Italy clutching the Euro Cup win, this has truly been an Italian summer. Here to cement that fact even further is Andrea Ramolo with this new single. “Italian Summer” is a dreamy, synth filled piece of escapism entrenched with the feeling of being in the waters of Capri or a beach in Positano. Speaking about the track, Andrea has stated: “It’s a nostalgic daydream of a song with a great, big chorus that is hopeful and explores nostalgia while tickling the senses and inviting everyone to dance”. The synths and shimmering chorus echoes 80s euro-pop – with visions of ABBA and Nena coming to mind. Calling all our Italian restaurant, bistro and café clients – this is your new jam. Served best with some fresh buffalo mozzarella and a nice sugo made with San Marzano tomatoes.
“Billie Bossa Nova” – Billie Eilish
By: Michael Primiani
Reminding us of Ale Vanzella, we here at RX Music stan the indie bossa genre. The instrumentation of this track, with the guitar two bar patterns and shaker electro percussion presents a very 21st century version of this classic Brazilian sound. Lyrically, the track is about embarking on a tropical, mysterious love affair and trying to hide it in a public place like a hotel. Billie’s brother and behind the scenes collaborator Finneas stated that the song was inspired by having to sneak into hotels while on tour due to their notoriety. Whether you’re faking feeling blue to get a personal day to hit the green or making sure you don’t take any pics of your food at restaurant that you went to instead of your grandma’s house for dinner – this is the slickest song for sneaking around in 2021. Until you show up the next day to work sunburnt or you forget that your grandma has you on “Find My Friends”.
“No Reason” – Death Valley Girls
By: Matt Lipson
I only discovered Death Valley Girls recently, and this track is actually from a deluxe edition of their 2013 album Street Venom, so call it cheating if you wish. I love the sound of this band; it’s the most basic garage rock, a flattering impersonation of the Stooges, and the groove on this is gnarly. I can picture this track blaring at any dive bar, hipster burger joint, or, more cynically, a Levi’s store. With four chords, crashing drums, and a fuzz box, Death Valley Girls are a dizzying head rush of attitude.
“Collaboration ≠ Appropriation (Feat. Tanya Tagaq)” – The Halluci Nation
By: Matt Lipson
The Halluci Nation, formerly A Tribe Called Red, released their fourth LP last week, One More Saturday Night. I’ve been acquainting myself with a lot of Indigenous artists lately because I think it’s the least we can do to support and form relationships with Indigenous peoples during such a turbulent time in Canadian history. This track in particular is so friggin’ powerful. The expected bass drops, hypnotic rhythms, and stellar production are all present here, but it’s the lyrics, delivered so simply and so effectively by Tanya Tagaq, that makes this track such a standout.
“We know we’re beautiful
That’s why you want it
Stop taking, give it back
You see how we stand, tall, perfect, straight back, broad shoulders,
brown skin, thick blood, thick skin, thick braid
We’re taking it back.”
These words are so empowering and present such a different image than we normally see, and though I just discovered this track, I’m so glad I did. I don’t think I should have the last word even writing about track, so I’ll leave it to Tanya:
“Your identity crisis is so boring
Be yourself
Love yourself
Respect yourself
Respect us.”
“Like That” – Kalisway
By: Lindsay Bell
This grimy bassline cut me in half. Kalisway’s new single “Like That” is the funky fire that will have you bopping through life. It’s the kind of track to blast at your next BBQ hang to impress your friends. This Toronto artist clearly has the secret sauce and we can’t wait to hear more! (I’m reminded of that PSA to be yourself that used to be on Canadian children’s television – mom! Kalisway cut me in half again! – Editor)
“Skate” – Silk Sonic
By: Michael Primiani
We have been waiting patiently for another teaser to the upcoming album by this supergroup consisting of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak since March and this past week our ship has came in. Actually, this ship was strapped to 1950s style roller blades and wheeled in. This impeccably produced (with production assistance by one of the pioneers of funk – Bootsy Collins) summer soul slice about roller skating is like the roller rink of your dreams accented by a permanent sunset. Shades of disco and Motown adorn this track as .Paak and Mars trade falsettos. This is that track that everyone is sure to ask for in their music programs this month and we are more than happy to strap on our blades and roll the single right over to you (or maybe just program it from the office while wearing roller skates under our desk, please don’t tell).
You can listen to the tracks we mentioned along with other songs our team has been enjoying this week in the Spotify playlist below:
Single artwork for Andrea Ramolo courtesy of Beth Cavanaugh
