By KADEN WEAVER
COLUMNIST
Spotify Viral 50 is a new kind of playlist that features songs not based on most number of times played, but rather how often the tracks are shared throughout the web. These are the top three songs for the week:
1. Major Lazer & DJ Snake – “Lean On” (feat. MØ)
Trio Diplo, Walshy Fire, and Jillionaire (a.k.a. Major Lazer) teamed up with the rising DJ Snake to bring us this powerful, yet soothing single. It features awesome vocals from Danish singer MØ, and is a little more focused on melody than most Major Lazer tracks. I started to blast this one in my room a couple weeks ago, and already my neighbors have started to play it as well (you are welcome, neighbors).
2. Alabama Shakes –
“Don’t Wanna Fight”
Grammy nominated, roots rock band Alabama Shakes are featured three times on this week’s Viral 50, as singles from their upcoming sophomore album, Sound & Color, are being released. All three tracks are dominated by groovy electric guitar riffs and crooning from lead singer, Brittany Howard. Although these tunes hint that the album will be comparable to the debut effort of Boys & Girls, it is also obvious that the group has worked to reinvent their sound.
3. Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are Ü Now” (feat. Justin Bieber)
This song comes from the album Jack Ü, a collaborative work between Electric Dance Music giants Diplo and Skrillex. The whole record features a ton of really popular artists, including 2 Chainz, Kiesza, and yours truly, the Biebernator. There is an identifiable mix throughout Jack Ü of both artists’ sounds; Diplo brings a sort of Moombahton/Reggae Fusion style to the album, whereas Skrillex lends his signature Dubstep sounds to the record.
Stay tuned for more hits to come your way!