January is the perfect time to broaden our horizons and tastes, and with an abundance of new music coming out every week, it’s safe to say we are spoiled for choice. If you’ve perhaps been too busy to keep an eye on the latest releases, don’t worry! Voir is here to give you a rundown of all the tracks that are worth a stream from the past couple of weeks.
FKA twigs featuring Rema – jealousy
January 14th saw the release of FKA twigs’ highly anticipated album ‘CAPRISONGS’ (named perfectly for a Capricorn season release). Twigs has described this album as a ‘journey back to herself through amazing collaborators and friends’, which we feel is a joy to listen to. You can feel that twigs pushed to intertwine aspects of her life throughout this album, with voice notes and recordings of her friends’ conversations used in many songs, creating a personal experience when listening to the album in full. The record is bursting with collaborations, coming from the likes of Pa Salieu, Rema, Jorja Smith and The Weeknd.
Adele – Oh My God
Now, we all know this track came out with Adele’s album ‘30’ back in November, but we are a sucker for a good music video! Perhaps one of the most upbeat Adele tracks, this video accentuates the song’s euphoric feeling with a fun and artistic angle. Throughout the video, Adele is sat amongst a large group of dancers, who deliver a contemporary and modern performance using chairs as props. At the end of the video, a chair is set alight, delivering a final blow to this monumental video and song.
Poppy Ajudha – Holiday From Reality
Sometimes, January can have you feeling all kinds of blue, leaving you wishing you were on holiday. If you’re looking for some relatability in your playlist, don’t hesitate to add this gem from Poppy Ajudha! Coming to you as a warm track bursting with soul, ‘Holiday From Reality’ is getting us ready for Ajudha’s upcoming album ‘THE POWER IN US’, to be released on March 14th. We can’t get enough of the track’s main hook;
“It’s driving me crazy, the way I’m moving lately, only thing that can save me now, I think I need a holiday from this reality”
We feel you girl!
Jordan Stephens (feat. Miraa May) – Big Bad Mood
Ironically called ‘Big Bad Mood’, this track has done nothing but lift our spirits since first listening on January 14th! Brought to us by Jordan Stephens (who you may remember from the iconic Rizzle Kicks), this song serves as the second teaser for his upcoming album ‘Let Me Die Inside Of You’, which we can’t wait to hear!
Abby Roberts – Paramaniac
With over 17 million TikTok followers, it’s safe to say Abby has made a name for herself in the social media world. But, she is now taking an interest in the music industry, having released her debut single ‘Paramaniac’ on January 13th. The track could easily be a backing track used on one of Abby’s relatable videos she often posts on TikTok regarding mental health, and it’s clear that the lyrics of this song have a special meaning to Abby.
Chronicles- Cordae Featuring H.E.R. and Lil Durk
Coming as part of Cordae’s latest album ‘From a Birds Eye View’, this track delivers a chilled-out, rich R&B sound that will get you vibing along with the infectious beat. If you like what you hear, don’t forget to check out Cordae’s album! With collaborations from the likes of Lil Wayne, Eminem, Stevie Wonder and Gunna, it’s safe to say you won’t be left disappointed!
Raveena – Rush
Delivering some culture into our playlists this month is the groundbreaking, Raveena. Released on January 14th, the track is an ode to Bollywood which takes us on a journey of a Punjabi princess travelling through space. Speaking on the track, Raveena said;
“The song was the genesis of me exploring a more intense marriage between Bollywood sounds and the pop/R&B music that I grew up on in America.”
And, with Raveena recently signing to Warner Records, we suspect that 2022 could be a big year for the rising star.
The Weeknd – Sacrifice
If you haven’t already listened to The Weeknd’s latest album ‘Dawn FM’, you need to! Expanding on the retro 80s influence heard in ‘Blinding Lights’, this album is sure to tick many boxers for listeners. Similarly to The Weeknd’s previous album ‘After Hours’, he commits to a character throughout the record, creating a cohesive effect to his artistry. The album also comes with a concept, in which ‘Dawn FM’ acts as a radio station to transition you to the other side. Our favourite track is ‘Sacrifice’, which encapsulates the 80s energy, paired with a creative and visually virtuosic music video.
Katy Perry – When I’m Gone
Currently causing a stir in Vegas, we couldn’t help but include Katy’s recent release for you to check out! If you’re looking for a song to get yourself hyped up and in a good mood, ‘When I’m Gone’ is the one for you. The track sees Perry team up with Alesso to create a vibrant dance-pop style song, sure to get you up and moving!
Stromae – L’enfer
We are so excited for Stromae’s upcoming album ‘Multitude’ on March 4th, marking over eight years since his last album! His latest track ‘L’enfer’ has given us an insight into what we could be in for, with a much more personal meaning than his previous big hits. ‘L’enfer’ sees Stromae open up on his battle with suicidal thoughts, as he sings candidly over a haunting choir and piano accompaniment.
Words By Nadia Clasper
Photo Credit: Raveena_aurora Instagram
