Originally published here via Billboard.com.
Every week, Spotify updates their "New Music Friday" playlist, featuring 50 of the freshest new tracks hitting the service that week.
On the heels of Billboard's partnership with the streaming giant, we'll be tapping Spotify's editors to sift through the soon-to-be-hits and highlight the best of the bunch.
Check out the picks and listen to the entire "New Music Friday" playlist below.
The Chainsmokers x Coldplay - "Something Just Like This"
After spending a prolific chunk of 2016 atop the charts with their record-breaking single, "Closer," The Chainsmokers have officially begun the countdown to their highly anticipated debut album, Memories... Do Not Open, which is slated for an April 7 release. To further demonstrate that the hitmaking DJs aren't in the least bit playing around these days, the pair has this week shared their latest collaboration, happily enlisting none other than the likes of the veteran rock group fondly known as Coldplay. While such a partnership may be surprising or unpredictable by nature, what doesn't come as much of a shock is how well the musicians actually pull it off in the end. Interestingly enough, the track sounds as much as a signature Coldplay song as it does a beloved Chainsmokers concoction, proving that their talents merge beautifully without much compromise in the studio. Hours after unveiling the out-of-left-field surprise track to fans online, the two entities joined forces on stage at the 2017 Brit Awards to perform their brand new creation together live, with Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin even leaping into the crowd at one point during the lively rendition. "Something Just Like This" balances the production duo's specialty for crafting delectable electronic drops with Coldplay's knack for big room sound, making for a favorable collaboration destined to win over fans of both artists respectably.
Zedd x Alessia Cara - "Stay"
Alessia Cara and Zedd have graciously teamed up to create the perfect song to soundtrack hanging onto those blissful moments you want to make last forever. Their collaboration, "Stay," marks the 20-year-old alternative R&B singer's first major foray into club banger territory, and needless to say, with the expert guidance of Zedd, she adapts with relative ease. While her breakout single "Here" was dedicated to everyone who secretly hates parties, this new direction has the singer warming up to the idea that sometimes sticking around is the preferable move, especially when you're in the best of company. Of the track, the mastermind producer words it best himself, saying, "I think this song is right in the middle between where Alessia is musically and where I am and that’s what’s so exciting about it." Naturally, the singer echoed his sentiments, sharing, "Zedd was really hands on and made sure I was involved in every part of the process. It still feels like me, just an elevated pop sound. I don’t know that I would be in this bold on my own stuff so it’s cool to try these things with collaborators." You can say that again, Miss Cara. Cheers to new adventures and new collaborations, especially to those that are welcoming summer vibes such as this feel-good feat does.
Future - HNDRXX
The year is 2017 and man like Future is out here taking no prisoners. Just last week he released his first studio album of the new year, a self-titled 17-track collection of pure fire, only to announce a few days later he's got even more planned for this month in the form of dropping yet another album. As a result of this bold move, the 33-year-old is currently in the running for what would be an unprecedented achievement if he successfully pulls it off, with his back-to-back projects strong contenders to mark the first time in history an artist scored two No. 1 debuts in successive weeks. While the jury is still out regarding if Future will secure such an unbelievably impressive milestone, one thing not up for debate is the too-dope reality that his new material is seriously something special. While it's relatively unusual for an artist to release full-length projects so close together for a variety of reasons, Future is playing by his own rules, with his second album picking up where the first left off, intentionally declaring, "If U purchased #FUTURE u will understand #HNDRXX." With each album representing the various facets that make up the prolific Atlanta heavyweight, his intense work ethic has made such a feat of releasing back-to-back projects appear effortless, conscious and polished, as opposed to what could have been, by design, a haphazard effort scrapping together 34 assorted tracks from his never-ending archive. Instead, each 17-track project stands exceptionally strong on its own, with HNDRXX chock-full of the artist's tried-and-true Autotune treatment FUTURE was curiously absent of. With Future himself stating that HNDRXX was "The album [he] always wanted to make," there's no ceilings in sight with this one, creating a diverse offering sculpted by unexpected risk-taking and two guest features from Rihanna and the Weeknd, further signifying Future is unapologetically continuing to evolve in his artistry and calling his own shots along the way. There's no escaping it or fighting it: Future season is 100% in full swing. No better time than now than to embrace it.
Calvin Harris x Frank Ocean x Migos - "Slide"
At this point in Calvin Harris' storied career, it is irrefutable he has an intrinsic gift for piecing together top-tier compositions of music that not only get you moving on the dance floor, but speak directly to your soul as well. Although the Scottish DJ-producer has long proven himself as an innovative force in the world of electronic dance music, today his winning streak continues with the release of his latest collaboration, "Slide." The 33-year-old's impeccable ear for music pairings, combined with astute timing, has brought together a relatively unlikely collaboration intro fruition, enlisting the first official offering from elusive singer Frank Ocean since 2016's Endless and Blonde alongside the recent chart-topping ambassadors of culture, Migos, with each trading vocals over a sultry happy-go-lucky groove. Taking to Twitter, Harris declared, "All my songs in 2017 have been sonically designed to make you feel f***ing incredible," an objective he's well on his way to achieving as exemplified by his new surefire masterpiece. With a lone piano intro developing into a beat comprised of infectious handclaps and bursts of echoing electronic-tinged seasoning, the song features drippy vocals masterfully treated to inspire a bit of a spiritual experience for those looking to get lost in the lavish and lustful vibe Harris is curating. All in all, this track definitely hits the spot and hopefully will encourage future collaboration possibilities for these three.
THEY. - Nü Religion: HYENA
Building an empire isn't possible without putting time in to lay a solid foundation first. This is a life lesson that R&B duo THEY. learned early on in their budding careers, making sure they each more than honed their respective crafts in the studio before choosing to step out and establish a lane uniquely their own. While the pair, comprised of producer Dante Jones and vocalist Drew Love, has racked up their own impressive accolades as individuals over the years, each working with some of music's top artists and finding success behind the scenes, the next step organically revealed itself that the two were really onto something when they combined forces, leading to the curious conception of THEY. After receiving guidance from mentor Timbaland and collaborating with the likes of Skrillex, as well as touring with PARTYNEXTDOOR, Jeremih and Bryson Tiller, the collaborators are finally ready to unleash their debut album, Nü Religion: HYENA. The 14-track collection also comes with the announcement of the group's first-ever headlining tour, a much deserved opportunity that already has the pair eager to give back by way of offering local artists the opportunity to join them on stage throughout the 20-city run. Considering their first EP has already racked up millions of streams on Spotify, fans have not only been eager to digest THEY.'s genre-bending tendencies but have been championing the group as the next pioneers of forward-thinking alternative R&B full of 808s, trap beats and thrashing guitars. With many shouting that the group has got next, THEY. are more than ready to accept carrying the torch, adding that they are grateful to become a part of a bigger movement and inspire others to follow their own creative callings as well.
