With everyone stuck inside and socially distancing from each other, there’s never been a better time to stay up to date on some of the latest releases in the world of music. We’ll be updating this playlist each week. Here are this week’s music suggestions from the Amherst Wire staff.

Trevor Wilson

“THE SCOTTS” – Travis Scott & Kid Cudi

After debuting a snippet of the new track on Travis Scott’s “Astronomical” collaboration with Fortnite, “THE SCOTTS” dropped the next day and was met with much praise from Kid Cudi and Travis Scott fans alike. The track’s name pays homage to the names of our esteemed artists as Kid Cudi’s real name is Scott Mescudi. “THE SCOTTS” is a hyperactive marriage of two artists that power their music through the use of their voice.

The track opens much like many Travis Scott songs. Filtered, distorted keys and a muddy drum break lead the listener into the track’s brilliant release. The colossal 808 couples with a bright spaceship-like chime as Travis riffs off braggadocious bars while Cudi fires off ambient ad-libs.

The two have undeniable chemistry and play off one another perfectly. The track doesn’t necessarily favor one or the other, and Cudi delivers an uncharacteristically aggressive verse but it works oh so well. It’s hard to imagine with a track like this, with as much energy and compatibility the two bring, that it will be the last we see of “THE SCOTTS.”

Other picks: “WHOLE WORLD” – Earl Sweatshirt ft. Maxo, “Why Worry” – Isaiah Rashad

Jonathan Kermah

“I Got Money Now” – Deante’ Hitchcock ft. J.I.D

Every time I hear up and coming Atlanta rapper Deante’ Hitchcock, I can’t help but compare his lyricism intertwined with a southern twang to the Atlanta legend that is T.I. When I first heard Hitchcock freestyling over literally everyone’s beats in 2017, what was more noticeable than anything was his hunger in every bar.  

Fast forward three years and Hitchcock has got money now, and he’s going toe to toe with one of Atlanta’s most explosive rappers in Dreamville’s J.I.D. While the concept of rags to riches isn’t anything inherently new to hip-hop, the energy and flow brought by these two pen specialists is truly a shot of adrenaline. The rap nerd in me can’t help but smile at J.I.D’s knack for alliteration and internal rhymes in pockets that few can touch. And Hitchcock’s punchlines and similes always manage to edge close to the line of corniness, but never quite overstepping. The tongue and cheek feel of it all makes a line like “My pockets was empty like Chick-Fil-A, Sunday” a quick chuckle in the verse where it seems like Hitchcock doesn’t stop for a breath. 

Above all else, there’s something freeing about grabbing my stimulus check and screaming “shut the f*uck up, I got money now,” over subwoofers and a country as hell Minnie Riperton sample when the hook comes.

Other picks: “Rapper Weed” – Sir ft. Boogie, “Mo’ Luxury” – Ron Obasi ft. Jxdece

Shane Guilfoyle 

Pine Sol – Nav 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNrggkbS6wI

Bringing new sounds from Toronto, Nav lands a spot on our final quarantine playlist with “Pine-Sol.” Since collaborating with Travis Scott, the XO affiliate has been relatively quiet, but from the looks of it, he’s been busy. Via YouTube, the rapper released a minute-long trailer into the production of his upcoming project, “Good Intention.” The video entails visuals from studio sessions, details of Nav’s aspirations to dominate streaming charts and teased features from artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna and the late Pop Smoke. 

Starting at the base, the song’s production feels tight and on point, with progressions made through moody, ethereal synths. Across two minutes and thirty seconds, Nav shares snapshots from his life – highlighting his affections towards foreign automobiles, his overwhelming amount of wristwear, and the need to act up. 

There’s flexibility offered in this track. It holds bargaining power over the aux at pre-games and finds its time during those long, reflective drives. Although possessing these qualities, the factor of reinvention falls short in “Pine-Sol,” as the track falls a little too far in line with Nav’s usual formula. As we’re now on the cusp of “Good Intentions” release, some might find more attraction through experimentation of sound, with Nav venturing into uncharted territories, rather than the safe move we’re hearing here. 

Other picks: “NO!” – Loony, “Off-White” – Lil Gotit (feat. Lil Keed) 

Astghik Dion

“Should Have Cheated” – Azizi Gibson ft. Ferg.JP & Akeem Mimiko

Azizi Gibson has always been a wild card in the LA hip-hop scene, his gritty melodies and witty lyrics only discoverable for those that dig deep enough to find them. The grim reaper is a persona he has always had tethered to him, from his 2015 album “A New Life,” to his most recent project, “Reaping The Benefits.”

“Should Have Cheated” is the seventh track off of his ten-piece 2020 release, returning to his consistent staple of storytelling lost love. Gibson kicks off the track with a bitter, melodic chorus, followed by sly bars from Ferg.JP and Mimiko targeting how much their past significant others missed out on.

Other picks: “Outlawz” – Terror Reid & Pouya, “Win Your Love” – YoungBoy Never Broke Again