Staff Picks 05/22/2023

Image Via @disco_bahia

Sparky Staff Picks is a series where our writing and editing team comes together to talk about what’s been stuck in our heads and on repeat in our playlists. it doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, popular or underground, it just needs to have us in a chokehold. Follow Sparky on Twitter and Instagram @sparkywtf for more.

Kaycyy , “Roll The Dice”

New Season means New KayCyy songs. Roll The Dice has officially hit the markets and It’s sound is euphoric. Featuring the talented works of Gesaffelstein, KayCyy returns with a new song that is apart of his upcoming album titled “Tw2052”. Coming in at the First track of the partially unreleased album, Kay lays another hit for his true fans and newcomers to soak up. The catchy hook found it’s way into my memory and is stuck like glue. This is not his first time teaming up with Gesaffelstein, You can hear more of the previous duo on tracks such as “Okay!” or “The Sun”. Tw2052 is expected to drop within the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for 3 more bubbling hit - Dre Albury

Cruza, “Fantasy”

Kicking myself for not finding a sound like this sooner. Cruza owns that psychedelic-meets-alternative-rock magic lifting you into a floating daze I promise you will not want to get down from. This Orlando based crew of 4 can be found on Spotify playlists such as “Chill vibes”, “Vanguard”, “Levitate”, “late night vibes”, which only add to the energy they never cease to bring to the table. Fantasy is a bass-heavy head-banger switching into whispers of a promise for a haven after showing growing pains of the past. Can’t wait to explore five years worth of their discography. - Kimberly Moon-Chong

Jorja Smith, “Little Things”

Back in 2017 I got to see Jorja Smith and Kali Uchis for a dollar and since then I’ve been a huge fan of both. Jorja dropped Little Things recently and I was blown away at the first listen. Within the first few seconds I can already envision how hard this would go at a club or party. If you haven’t heard ‘On My Mind’ by Jorja, give that a listen too. It’s in a similar vein - real dancey and upbeat, but this new track is much grungier and darker. Overall, one of the most fun releases in a while for me. - Danny Channa

Tcb San , “Lungs Cryin”

North Carolina is silently known for housing some of the best artists who cultivate a pure fanbase and takeover in their own lane. Artists such as J cole, Da Baby, & Morray all hail out of North Carolina. The newest and hottest sound coming from North Carolina appears to be Tcb San. Men lie, Women lie, But numbers tell the honest truth. According to Numbers, Tcb San is running them up significantly with his newest release “Lungs Cryin”. His sound is not one you would usually hear coming from an NC artist, thats what makes him unique. He’s naturally adopted the sounds you would hear from an artist coming from Detroit or California. While still keeping it authentic, He paints vivid pictures of how it is to live the life of a 22 year old successful entrepreneur and rapper. He’s already got co-signs from major artists, such as Baby Money, Peezy & Veeze. Perhaps more hits are on the way , Stay tuned in to hear more ! - Dre Albury

João Gilberto, “Tin Tin Por Tin Tin”

I’m a huge Bossa Nova guy and João Gilberto is a pioneer of the genre - or so I’m learning. My friend recently threw this on in the car and the first thought I had was, “this song feels like a brain massage”. “Tin Tin Por Tin Tin” is just such a fun track to listen to. It’s so relaxing and makes me feel like a kid strolling through a big field. Hope you guys enjoy this one! - Danny Channa

Rae Sremmurd , “Flaunt It/Cheap”

Rae Sremmurd’s Sremm 4 Life is a bombastic return to form for the Mississippi brothers. The record boasts a number of high-energy, meticulously produced tracks, but none encompasses the album’s leap into a new era of Rae Sremmurd quite like “Flaunt It/Cheap.” It’s complex, switching midway through the song from a racing, heavy beat to a whistlier, snare-heavy dance sound. Conducive to head bobbing at bare minimum and a full body dance break, “Flaunt It/Cheap” promises a good time. 

The sometimes-snubbed Slim Jxmmi, whose discography shadows Swae Lee’s by virtue of a lack of features, shines on “Flaunt It/Cheap.” He’s energetic and clever, gliding over both halves of the track with ease.  Jxmmi grabs the song back from a chorus shared with Swae, launching into the party as he raps, “Let me know if you tryna have fun (Have fun)/In the club, I got twenty-thousand ones (Thousand ones).” In a gnarly reference to “Swang,” a previous hit from the duo, he riffs on his female companions: “These girls ain't tryna behave (No, sir)/Shorty want the whole team, she brave.”

As a sea of fire emojis declare on the song’s official YouTube video, “Flaunt It/Cheap” is Rae Sremmurd at their best, pumping out yet another certified banger ripe for the summer. -Liz Foster 

Yves Tumor, “Romanticist / Dream Palette”

Romanticist and Dream Palette are my favorite songs from Heaven To A Tortured Mind by Yves Tumor. When you pair these two songs together you are in for such a euphoric experience. Romanticist starts off very mellow and chill, almost nostalgic like you're listening to it. It gives off late night summer vibes which is perfect since the weather is starting to heat up. I could listen to this song forever on repeat. As we lead into Dream Palette we are presented with one of the greatest song transitions of all time. Straight chills. You got fireworks going off in the background, a crazy guitar riff buzzing in and out, the hard hitting drums, it's perfect. Dream Palette is more upbeat but is just as beautiful as its former. I’m absolutely blown away by the production and the vocals that are on these tracks. If you haven’t listened to Heaven To A Tortured Mind I highly recommend that you do. - Marlon Gray

Disco Bahía, “Pacífico”

Hailing from León, Mexico, Disco Bahía have made waves with their Latin-infused exploration of French synth-pop, new wave, and disco. Before María, Pablo and Tongo came together, however, these genres were individually-cultivated and well-polished passion projects, making it no surprise that, as a collective, they’ve managed to establish themselves in the indie scene in almost no time at all. Their 2020 single, “Pacífico”, takes the distinct sound of the trio and amplifies it into a celebration. Its sultry sax and the breathy croons of Maria combine into an intimate yet dance-worthy listening experience. —Grace Dochau

Guapdad 4000, “Uncle Ricky”

Uncle Ricky is such an underrated song that you are sleeping on. The storytelling that Guapdad 4000 does on this song is impeccable. He paints a picture of his Uncle and how crazy it can get with him. This track features a disgusting instrumental done by !llmind that will force you to make the infamous “stank” face. Nonetheless I’d love to hear Guapdad on more boom bap beats like this, it is always interesting to see what he does on any track he is on. Uncle Ricky is a song from his collab album with !llmind called 1176, go check it out! - Marlon Gray

Ditonellapiaga, “Disco (I Love It)”

Released in June of 2022, this piece of Italian pop from Margherita Carducci, under the pseudonym Ditonellapiaga, explores a melancholic nostalgia for a prior love affair, and a simultaneous yearning for the freedom that accompanies an approaching summer. This thematic polarity is strengthened further by layering together “the notes of a record from the late 70s” and contemporary American R&B, with Doja Cat and SZA as obvious guiding influences. The result? A groovy, fresh, and cheeky track perfect for beach-side car rides with the top down. —Grace Dochau