Timbaland, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake – Keep Going Up 

I am obsessed with the fact we are now living in a 2008 simulation. Christina Aguilera has just announced an Australian tour, and now Timbaland has reunited with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake for new music. “Keep Going Up” takes you immediately back in time to “Give It To Me” with a big dose of nostalgia and straight-shooting fire. From the opening lines of the song, Timbaland interpolate a sample of “Promiscuous” with the line “How you been young lady? Does the feeling still drive you crazy” that leads into Nelly’s first verse. From there Nelly and Justin provide their smooth vocals on their own verses, and then Timbaland comes in with a strong rap verse that reminds people why he was the king of the early 2000’s. The production leans towards his earlier material, and hears him not trying to reinvent himself sonically and instead just brings 2008 to 2023 in the boldest way possible.

Nicki Minaj – Last Time I Saw You

Nicki Minaj is bringing us back to her debut album era with the announcement that her fifth studio album “Pink Friday 2” will be released on November 17. “Last Time I Saw You” is the next taste of what’s to come following “Super Freaky Girl” and “Red Ruby Da Sleeze”, and it’s a surprising listen that hears a different sonical perspective from the global hip-hop star. The melodic track begins with a slight alt-pop production with guitars and drums, with her smooth vocals sliding over the top. It feels more reminiscent of “The PinkPrint” with its vulnerable approach. And then she adds in her rap verses with her distinctive flow coming in hard.

The song explores grief and hears her reminiscing on the last time she saw someone important in her life and questions the relatable “what if’s”. She sings, “I wish I’da hugged you tighter the last time that I saw you. I wish I didn’t waste precious time the night when I called you”. This is a surprising and impressive listen from Nicki Minaj that showcases her versatility with giving you the bops as well as the vulnerable melodic moments.  

Griff – Vertigo 

After touring with Ed Sheeran and Coldplay on their respective European stadium tours this year, British rising star Griff has returned with her first taste of new music since last year’s collaboration with Sigrid, “Head On Fire”. Teasing “Vertigo” on the road, this song impresses with its catchy hook and direct lyricism. Exploring not feeling enough for someone, she describes the excuses her brain makes up and the direct parallels of all of her thoughts. “You’re scared of heights, that’s vertigo. You wanted lights, go see a show. You ran away, that’s touch and go. You’re scared of love, well, aren’t we all?” she playfully and honestly sings before also adding “You felt alive, that’s chemical. You felt secure, that’s called a home. Couldn’t take the heat, that’s Mexico”.

There’s a darkness and vulnerability to the track which is contrasted by a playful melody and an experimental edge with little production quirks like the gasp for air that echoes throughout the first verse, and the anxiety inducing beep. Growing on you with each listen, “Vertigo” is another smash for Griff.

Chelsea Cutler – Your Bones

Chelsea Cutler is preparing for the release of her third studio album “Stellaria” on October 13, and following the release of lead singles “Men On The Moon”, “Stay Anything” and “I Don’t Feel Alive” she has dropped another taste of what’s to come. “Your Bones” is a romantic and melodic pop song that will have you feeling in love even if you aren’t right now. There’s a sense of nostalgia engrained in the lyrics that will have you immediately thinking of someone (past or present) that has made you feel safe and warm. The production comfortably sits in a similar world to her last record “When I Close My Eyes” with its light and airy approach that will have you feel like you’re floating. The guitar and drum led production has a folk element that also reminds you of Mumford And Sons. And the accompanying visualiser is a compilation of videos edited by Chelsea’s partner from the past couple of months which will have you feeling extra emotional.

Lyrically this one of my favourite Chelsea Cutler tracks ever, and here are a few of my favourite moments from the song;

“I love you, down to your bones. Naked and afraid, they tell me that’s when you know”.

“Forever never made much sense to me. The way you look at me like I deserve it. It’s changing who I thought I could be”

“Suddenly I’m somebody I don’t recognise, but I am so happy to be her”

“Stars had to align and come together all at once. I’d never be the same”.

Kinder feat. BCBC – Lightyears

After teasing listeners with some remixes earlier this year, Ghanaian-Australia sibling duo Kinder have returned with the anthemic “Lightyears”. Teaming up with UK producer BCBC, this track builds upon their distinctive club thumping sound they established last year with their EP’s “Yenko” and “Akwaaba”. The euphoric chorus immediately engrains itself in your head and pulls similarities to the serotonin you get from a Icona Pop track.

Reflecting on being focused on the present instead of the past, this song is all about living life to its fullest with the people you love around you. “Lift me up again don’t think about tomorrow. Cause tomorrow, tomorrow is light years away” the refrain echoes. And then in the post-chorus they hit you with the “Oh way oh way oh way oh oh oh way oh way” which almost feels like a signature to Kinder. This playful track not only hits you with an empowering feeling, but it will have you wanting to dance the night away at a club soon.