The Round-Up: Best Songs of The Week – ft. Esperanza Spalding, Phony Ppl, Daniel Caesar, and More [Playlist]

A guided scan of release day essentials

Bottom of the week, good people. Release day’s arrived with some long-anticipated projects from Esperanza Spalding (12 Little Spells,) Phony Ppl (mō’zā-ik,) and Empress Of (Us.) But the first Friday in the now-confirmed final decade or so of the Earth as we know it is brimming with sneak suites and under-the-radar treats. Cue: a new episode of The Round-Up, compiled by yours truly, Michael Eric Gonik.

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Future and Juice WRLD snuck out the equal parts thrilling and sedative collaboration WRLD ON DRUGS. Brent Faiyaz shared a short, sweet, and simmering, surprise of his own in the six-track Lost EP. How to Dress Well rewired the circuit board on The Anteroom. And Lil Mosey made a bold proclamation on his anthemic Northsbest tape.

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The singles told their own tale, signaling a fruitful closing quarter for 2018. Action Bronson and Knxwledge snapped out of the Ancient Aliens couch-lock with the dusty soul specimen, “Prince Charming.” Jamila Woods stormed back with the swaggering and electronically-edged “Giovanni,” her first single since the release of the critically-adored debut, HEAVN. And Daniel Caesar reemerged with the syrupy slow-burner “Who Hurt You?.”

You can hear it all in this week’s installment of The Round-Up below. Hit the link to subscribe to Okayplayer’s Spotify channel and hold the aux with authority.

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