It’s Friday, which means a plethora of well known and up and coming artists have dropped new releases. In order to help us find the most notable ones, Spotify has its weekly updated new music Friday playlist. This morning, I took the time to scroll through all of the songs and I have to admit, there were definitely some good ones, but there was one specific one that completely blew me away. On this special Friday, I’m so pleased to introduce y’all to Akron, Ohio native daydream Masi who is making his way onto our pages for the song entitled “Hot Mess”. The best way I can describe this song is that it truly makes you feel something; or at least it made me feel something. I can’t really stick this into a genre as it features so many components that range from pop, soul, rock, electronic. It’s genre defying and stands on its own two feet as a beautiful form of art that speaks for itself. daydream Masi is meant to be in this profession. His gorgeous voice and infectious soul that he sings with is felt throughout every verse and every note. The track gets better as you …

A new single and visual to the track “New Glock” have arrived by courtesy of the Milwaukee duo MT Twins. The two have gained a heavy following in the Midwest and in Milwaukee specifically, and with this joint they’re looking to expand their audience. The visual (shot by Randollaa) catches the pair playfully pranking each other back and forth until it gets out of hand and suddenly one of them decides it got to the point where they need to purchase a new glock to get back at them. From there the plot somewhat disbands but it gives an entertaining intro that will attract the viewer for the rest of the video. Following that segment, the song begins and the rest of the video is of the twins dancing and rapping in a multiplicity of settings around Milwaukee; on the shoreline, in the street, near abandoned buildings, etc. The two look like they’re having a blast, and that’s the vibe that comes with the track as well. “Do my dance with the glock like I’m Steve Urkel.” The joint makes you wanna do exactly that, and I only expect the video (with 24k views in just three days) will keep …

San Diego native Cali Kev is back with a new single that dropped this morning titled, “Combos.” The distinct voice and constant fighting and wrestling references allow for relatable vintage-feeling lines that often have me laughing to myself and enjoying the music even more. “Feel like stone cold in ‘96,” had me picturing the bald freak show in front of my TV back in my early childhood and I couldn’t help but smile. Cali Kev stays releasing tracks consistently and draws a following with his unique flows and different, organic voice. This is without a doubt a interesting & dope song in my opinion, but what you think about the song is really what matters here, so you might as well get in tune with him below.

Every new Family Reunion release feels like a deeper dive into the mind of songwriter Jackie Carlson—and the rising Chicago-based indie artist’s latest track is no exception. On “19”, Carlson gives listeners a genuine moment of rumination on mistakes made and lessons learned over delicately plucked guitar and choral harmonies. It’s difficult to gain perspective on a part of one’s life while still living through it, but it feels like Carlson attains this sort of “in the moment” reflection through her blunt lyricism. “Made a lot of mistakes when I turned 19” she sings before airing out harsh realities that come with coming of age, following passions, and bouts of loneliness. Her voice tiptoes a line between composed and fragile, on the verge of breaking as she maneuvers through tender vocal runs. Building the track alongside Carlson’s introspective songwriting are producers Camline and Son! who supply moral support in the form of a rumbling bassline and a guitar solo that wraps the track up with a fuzzy, reassuring riff. Listen to “19” by Family Reunion and check out her upcoming LA and Chicago shows here.

Jay2 is back with yet another new single, less than two weeks after dropping the Monte Booker-produced “Dedication.” This week, he and PRODXVSN link up on a record called “King Louis”, and this one sounds like it’s coming straight out of the Zero Fatigue playbook: skittering hi hats and a warm melody lay a bouncy foundation for Jay2 to flow so naturally that it sounds like the syllables are falling naturally off his tongue. There’s a moment during the song when he flows eerily similar to label mate Smino, with what sounds like a St. Louis drawl (though Jay2 is from Chicago), and the switch up serves as a nice difference in tone before his typical warm vocal tone returns for the refrain: “She want me” is an ear worm that won’t be easily escapable this summer. This isn’t the end for Jay2 this summer either: he’s dropping an EP called “4 Tha Wait” on 7/24, and he describes the EP as a “prelude before the album.” Needless to say, he’s not slowing down. Tweets by Jay2AintShit

It’s 8:30 PM on Wednesday night, just two days before the release of Maxo Kream’s major-label debut, Brandon Banks. Piling into a dim, luxurious room at Manhattan’s 40/40 club, fans and peers alike await Kream’s arrival. Conversation is light, but the overarching meaning of the moment makes the air feel dense. Now years in the making, Maxo Kream’s slow-burning ascent is reaching a new apex, and this small room of listeners is fortunate enough to become witness just days before the album’s official release. A few moments later, a thunderous presence makes his way down the hallway. Turning left, he enters the room, 4 glossy chains on neck and followed by a posse of friends. It’s Maxo Kream, the man of the night. With each step, his presence grows stronger as the heads begin to turn toward his direction. Kream’s face lights up to see the welcoming crowd of listeners, but his eyes maintain a focused glare under the soft lights. The closer and closer he moves to the center of attention, the more the moment begins to set in. Here, just minutes away from clicking play on his long-awaited new album, time seems to slow down. The message becomes …