Erykah Badu's Woozy Flirtation, and 9 More New Songs

New York Times

5 hours ago

Every Friday, pop critics for The New York Times weigh in on the week's most notable new tracks. Listen to the Playlist on Spotify here (or find our profile: nytimes) and at Apple Music here, and sign up for The Amplifier, a twice-weekly guide to new and old songs.
Erykah Badu and the Alchemist, 'Next to You'
Erykah Badu floats some companionable requests — 'I wanna take walks with you,' 'I wanna just talk with you,' 'I can't wait to see you after school' — in this leisurely, woozy, increasingly hypnotic track. The Alchemist's production gathers countless layers of Badu's vocals, with and without lyrics, but places most of them at a distance, for a happy tangle of inner voices.
Brittany Davis, 'Sun and Moon'
Brittany Davis, a blind, nonbinary pianist, singer and songwriter based in Seattle, recorded their second album, 'Black Thunder,' leading a classic jazz piano-bass-drums trio. 'Sun and Moon' reaches back to Nina Simone for its husky, organic, bare-bones dynamics. This six-minute song rises ever so gradually, affirming everyday pleasures; 'In the sun, my heart is full of joy and light,' Davis sings. 'In the moonlight, I'm thankful for the blessings of the night.' The track has a jammy, improvisational feel, with serious purpose behind it.
Billie Marten, 'Clover'
The English songwriter Billie Marten calmly savors tensions and contradictions in 'Clover': 'You're raining heavy, I'm almost dry / I'm only learning to love you right.' The tempo is relaxed; keyboards plink and twinkle through mild dissonances. It's affectionate but watchful: 'Don't push me over, I'm half your size,' she admonishes.
Kehlani, 'Folded'
Kehlani dramatizes the most reluctant of breakups in 'Folded.' Yes, she's waiting for her ex to 'come pick up your clothes,' neatly folded. But this isn't the door-closing scenario from Beyoncé's 'Irreplaceable.' Kehlani urges, 'Meet me at my door while it's still open' and notes, 'It's getting cold out but it's not frozen.' Descending chords, a string section, little guitar licks and Kehlani's voice all convey a world of regret and a chance to reunite.
Cari, 'Luvhiii'
Cari Stewart-Josephs, an English songwriter, surrenders to infatuation in 'Luvhiii,' from an EP due July 10. 'You hit me like a truck,' she sings, 'And I never will get enough.' A loping bass line, jazzy piano chords and a faraway but insistent tambourine arrive, enfolding Cari's multilayered vocals in a trip-hop haze as she succumbs.
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