Rated by The Face: a weekly playlist

There’s a daunting amount of music out there and we know it’s hard to keep up. But rather than submitting yourself to an algorithm for new music recommendations, try this lovingly curated playlist that The Face will be updating every week.

Check it out below and read about last week’s additions here.

The Weeknd – Save Your Tears

A big synth pop tune from Abel’s new album After Hours. This one could be lifted straight from a melancholic, neon-lit discotheque in the ​’80s – or any American Apparel store circa 2009.

Childish Gambino – 12.38 ft. 21 Savage & Kadhja Bonet

This free-spirited, soulful track from Donald Glover’s new album 3.15.20 album feels similar in spirit to Solange’s 2019 album When I Get Home. Having made a name for himself with chilling and nihilistic trap a few years back, it’s a pleasure to hear 21 Savage rap over such warm textures.

Shura – Elevator Girl ft. Ivy Sole

UK artist Shura (who lives in New York now, it turns out) has enlisted Philly rapper Ivy Sole for this blissful new song. Elevator Girl is inspired by a nervously exciting experience of taking a first date up to a hotel room in the lift. Life was good before the lockdown wasn’t it?

IQ – Vibrate

Stripped-down dancehall from Lewisham.

NLE Choppa – Walk Em Down ft. Roddy Ricch

At the beginning of 2019, teenage Memphis rapper NLE Choppa had a breakthrough hit with Shotta Flow (which is currently sitting on 126 million YouTube views). Now he’s teamed up with Roddy Ricch – who’s topped the US charts a bunch of times this year. Algorithmic success guaranteed with this one. But the important thing is the song’s good.