The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Two Shell, Central Cee, Ayra Starr and slowthai.
Music
Words: Olive Pometsey, Jade Wickes, Davy Reed
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Central Cee – Me & You
A very catchy Valentine’s Day special from Cench, which samples the 2000 R&B classic Shorty Got Her Eyes On Me by Donnell Jones. We’re assuming Me & You is dedicated to his girlfriend, the influencer Madeleine Argy, judging by lyrics like “good vocab” (which she’s renowned for on TikTok) and “When I said that my bitch was gay, I didn’t mean that shit in a degradin’ way”. Who said romance was dead? JW
Ayra Starr – Sability
Ayra Starr is the all-knowing leader of the dancefloor on her latest drop. Hypnotic amapiano rhythms accompany the Nigerian artist’s quick-tongued, self-assured vocals throughout, but it’s the chorus that makes this song stand out. Starr’s layered chant of “Sabi oh, oh-oh” has a choral quality to it which, when paired with the winding production, almost makes you fall into a trance. OP
Two Shell – Love Him
The somewhat shadowy UK duo have just dropped the lil spirits EP, further merging bleepy cyber-pop with soundsystem-ready club beats. With its gargled robotic vocals and silky-smooth synths, Love Him is as strange and soothing as a ChatGPT therapy session. DR
slowthai – Feel Good
If you tell yourself something enough times, you’ll probably start believing it. Case in point with Feel Good, the second single off slowthai’s forthcoming album UGLY, which is all about spreading good vibes (and comes with a very good music video). Against punky guitar riffs, Ty raps “I feel so good” over and over, creating a mood that feels diametrically opposed to the gritty subject matter he usually favours. Oh, and there are backing vocals from Shygirl, too. JW
