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HEAT OF THE WEEK: OCTOBER 9

Acclaim's favourite new tracks from home and around the world.

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Weekly updates


Welcome to Acclaim Magazine’s Heat of the Week. Here are our picks for the best new local and international releases — Don’t forget to follow our Spotify playlist too, it’s updated every Friday.

01. Headie One - Princess Cuts ft. Young T & Bugsey

Tottenham’s shining star Headie One has finally delivered on Edna, his highly anticipated debut album (whatever that means anymore). Despite having already won over fans across the world with countless singles and standout projects like Music x Road, Gang, and of course, real drill heads will know his work with RV across the Drillers x Trappers mixtapes. Coming in hot with a Young T & Bugsey assisted single, Headie showcases his afro-swing side on ‘Princess Cuts’. The track boasts upbeat and infectious production, coupled with a stellar hook from Young T and Headie’s nonchalant wordplay. It’s a proven formula for a banger (Remember ‘Don’t Rush’?) and is just a small taste of the range Headie is able to deliver on Edna. — Cass N.

02. Trippie Redd - Sleepy Hollow

Following his throwback jam ‘I Got You’ with Busta Rhymes, Trippie Redd returns to his trap roots on this fast-paced new single. It’s a flash-in-the-pan at only 1:41 minutes in length, but the flame he sparks is hot enough to melt an avalanche. Braggadocious bars, creative vocal inflections, and an in-your-face, Anderson SIlva-level front kick of a beat (produced by Outtatown) is a testament to his ability to sing a hook and spit over-the-top verses. His next album Pegasus is slated to drop October 30th. — Henry O.

03. Priya Ragu - Good Love 2.0

On some real shit, I love a summery bop. I also REALLY love nostalgic Bollywood music. ‘Good Love 2.0’ caters to both of these pockets, whilst also serving as a strong introduction to the artistry of Tamil-Swiss musician Priya Ragu. Aided by some masterful and Kaytranada-esque production, courtesy of Japhna Gold, Priya lays some ear-catching melodies that keep you hooked for the entirety of the song. My favourite bit is the beat switch. You should listen to it. — Mustafa A.

04. Mzuki - Snakes & Ladders ft. Himalia

From X-Factor beginnings to Melbourne underground return, 23-year-old MzUki brings her worldly, introspective sounds back with ‘Snakes and Ladders’. A self-proclaimed High Priestess of Rap, the conscious creator’s husky-voiced melodies move with the intent to “inspire empowerment”. ‘Snakes and Ladders’ sees her lyrics quake with this mentality singing ‘It’s your turn to take a shot’, yet ending with an overall message of ‘What’s meant to be/ will be’. — Julie F.

05. And Beyond - Back Then ft. Shadow

Gritty Perth duo And Beyond linked up with fellow W.A-lien Shadow earlier this year for a track called ‘Back Then’—truthfully, we missed it at the time, but luckily the duo have just dropped a high octane music video and landed it on our radar. From the first second, you’re hit with a barrage of bars from rapper Insane The Prince, as he spits rapid triplets tinged with a darkness that’s reminiscent of acts like Zillakami, Suicideboys or Ghostmane over the visceral beats of producer ZYTGYST. Dripped out in StreetX, Shadow comes through with a clean assist, marking ‘Back Then’ as a clear indicator that there is something special happening on the West Coast right now. — Cass N.

06. Channel Tres - Skate Depot

Channel Tres blends house, R&B, and rap into one with this new single, serving as his 2020 ‘blades of glory’ moment. It’s an ode to the now shut-down Skate Depot rink in Cerritos California where he held his first job and was subsequently made redundant two weeks later for not being a good enough skater. Ironically, he glides over the beat like ice with smooth soulful vocals and a swagger-filled cadence. It’s the first taste of his forthcoming mixtape I Can’t Go Outside, and without a doubt, is Channel’s Beillman spin maneuver.  Henry O.

07. Ghetts - IC3 ft. Skepta

Anytime that Skep wants to bar out, I’m deffo here to listen. Not to say that Ghetts got spun—but I think he got spun. In my opinion, there aren’t too many people who can hold their own against Big Smoke when he gets in the zone. The beat on this stays quite steady and simple throughout the song; allowing Ghetts and Skepta to do their thing with minimal interruption. No complaints here. — Mustafa A.

08. Sophiya - Overdue

Melbourne-based, hard-hitting rapper Sophiya is one of those artists that has made lemonade in a year where lemons have been pretty scarce. With a string of releases sprinkled throughout the preceding months, including; ‘Rosie’, ‘Chief O’ Kief’ and ‘Lingo’, giving fans a taste of her upcoming EP Overdue—today’s the day it finally drops. Title track ‘Overdue’ sits as the standout amongst the 6-piece tracklist, providing a different energy to the overall grungy bass and minimal production, and instead intertwining a smooth-playing sax and lively trap ticks. The first release after breakthrough track ‘White Ivory’ in 2018, the newly-carved Sophiya introduces a new musical aesthetic while still playing to her strengths.  — Julie F.

09. DoloRRes - IQ ft. Muka Vhatti, Savage The Girl

Italian-Australian producer/songwriter DoloRRes finds a unique middle ground between the atmospheric synths of Shlohmo and the psychedelic bounce of M.I.A on this new track. The spiralling synths in the background serve as an ear-catching contrast to the pulsating 808s, creating a backdrop that’s both chaotic and euphoric for his autotuned melodies to thrive on. It features appearances from Melbourne’s Savage The Girl who seamlessly flows on the beat, and Perth’s Muka Vhatti who delivers a punchy, impassioned verse of rap wonder. It’s unique, catchy, and a great display of the diverse sounds each artist here can tackle. — Henry O.