With more music being released than ever before, Amherst Wire’s Entertainment team keeps you posted with some of their favorite tracks of the week. Check it out below:

“whatever mane” – Pouya, Xavier Wulf

Astghik Dion, editor

From the reigning underground OGs of creepy SoundCloud rap comes a long-awaited collab, “whatever mane.” Staying true to their cryptic southern roots, the track is saturated in stifling 808s and a gritty beat reminiscent of horrorcore from DJ Spock. The song is the first release for Pouya since “The South Got Something To Say,” his third studio album. Lyrics like, “And don’t you even try to play stupid/I’m really known to do it /All I do is play my own music,” prove how Pouya and Wulf have been dominating the rap game for years, regardless of who’s been listening.

“Boots” – Greyson Chance  

Nasya Blackshear, writer 

Greyson Chance is no longer a young boy writing songs on his piano, his newest single “Boots” shows a mature side to his music that hasn’t been seen before. His smooth and sultry voice over a techno-country track, Chance creates a new dance hit. “Boots with the steel toe, hot on the pavement / I didn’t grow up like you, on vacation / I’ve been western before all of these punks,” are just some of the lyrics from “Boots” where Chance shows where he’s come from and where he’s going. 

“Nude Casino” – Iguana Death Cult

Adam Buckley, writer

A clear front-runner for both title and band name of the year, the Dutch five-some that is the Iguana Death Cult released their second full length record, “Nude Casino.” A jangling clean guitar riff rides waves of a bouncy bassline and surf rock drums. Lead singer and guitarist Jeroen Reek slurs and murmurs like a younger Bob Dylan after a few vodka Red Bulls, dishing tales about dancing on the edge of cliffs, conversations with the Dalai Llama and shaking cocktails from the hip. A cocktail of upbeat psychedelia and modern garage punk, this track is the perfect antidote to colder weather. 

“Hit Me Up” – Omar Apollo ft. Dominic Fike & Kenny Beats

Brianna Silva, writer

Blending Omar Apollo’s angelic vocals with Dominic Fike’s unique style, Kenny Beats’ has once again produced a distinct and melodious hit. “Hit Me Up” is fresh, mellow and modern. The song opens with Apollo effortlessly singing, “Said, I’ve got some time I’m abusin’ / Change my mind if you ever switch it up / And I won’t waste my time if you pursue me / I’ll let you know if you ever hit me up.” Just when you think the song can’t get any better, Fike pops in seamlessly. It’s clear the two artists mesh perfectly together. You’ll have “Hit Me Up” playing on repeat this week. 

“Sad Songs In The Summer” – Olivia O’Brien

Kacey Connolly, editor

Olivia O’Brien delivers a new bop just seven months after the release of her album, “Was It Even Real?” One of two new singles on what we can assume will be another new album titled, “It Was A Sad F***ing Summer,” O’Brien gives listeners an electronic pop tune packed with spunk and edge, relaying the perfect 21st century love story with lines like, “Sad songs in the summer / Heartbreak to the stereo / Find ways to recover / But it’s hard tryna let you go.” With lyrics that ooze nostalgia and a beat that makes you want to bump to the song on max volume in the car, O’Brien shows us pure moxie, singing “And I can’t listen to old Nirvana / Won’t even think about drinking vodka” with raw power and a hint of rage. 

“Bankroll” – 88Glam ft Lil Keed

Shane Guilfoyle, writer 

The XO boys are back, and this time they brought out the snakes. A little background first, Derick Wise and 88 Camino link to create 88Glam, a Canadian rap duo signed under Republic and XO, who are in the process of recording their third studio album. This month saw the release of “Bankroll,” a single from the duo’s upcoming project, featuring YSL’s Lil Keed. 

88Glam operates as a division of labour between its two members. 88 Camino creates hooks while Derick Wise drops most of the lyrical content found in their versus. In “Bankroll” Camino meets the ears with an alluring cadence that flows accordingly with the background 808s. A mix of sinister and sauce is delivered, as Camino delivers a hook detailing his abundance of racks and the tie-dye glow of his chain. Notable here, a shout out to “the woah’s” creator, 10K.Caash, when Camino says “10k.Caash but I don’t do no dance (It my slatt, 10k).”  

Lil Keed comes in during the first verse to deliver an expansive and effortless flow; Keed does things his way, where were all simply passengers in for the ride. 

Highlightable bars include “Put a hitter on a Perc’, it was early morning /Pull up, get a backend, ain’t doing no tourin’ (Backend, backend) /23 on my coupe, I ain’t talkin’ no Jordan (23).”

Derick Wise rounds of the song with statement lines such as “Sittin’ in PJ’s with these PJ’s, all my life this was a goal, yeah /Shoe size twelve and a half, but triple S is forty-four, yeah.” This repetition of “yeah” occurs throughout the versus first half, creating a nice sense of rhythm.

Email Astghik at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @as_tghik.

Email Nasya at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @lilbbynas.

Email Adam at [email protected].

Email Brianna at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @brisilvv.

Email Kacey at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @kaceyconnolly1.

Email Shane at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @shaneguilll.