Friday Fresh: The week's biggest tracks

Another week has flown by, and it's nearly time to kick up our heels and slide on into the weekend. With good weather predicted for the days to come, it's just as well that this week's Friday Fresh is full of sunny bops, disco-pop, and more summer melodies than you can shake a stick at. 

Sports Team – The Drop

Sports Team take on the wonderful world of work in their latest single The Drop. Digging in against the constant cultural quest for achievement, The Drop lets it all go in classically comedic Sports Team style. 

Bessie Turner - JUJU 

Taken from her new mixtape Arrabiatta, Bessie Turner’s JUJU ruminates on difficult decisions and emotional journeys. Introspective and melodic, JUJU see-saws between euphoria and sadness, packing the full spectrum of feelings into under three minutes.

Drizilik feat. Idris Elba – Ashobi

Ahead of his appearance in London later this month, one of Sierra Leone’s biggest contemporary artists Drizilik teams up with Idris Elba on this blend of afrobeats and Sierra Leonean milo jazz. Bouncy and bright with a hip hop edge, Ashobi is an insanely catchy track with an elasticated beat that sticks in your head. 

LOLA – BACK

After nearly two years away, rising R&B star LOLA has made her return with the aptly titled Back. With pulsing electronics and futuristic production from IGLOOGHOST, LOLA’s latest is hazy and haunting, with melodies and sound effects rising through the fog. 

The 1975 – Happiness

Pivoting once again, The 1975 have veered away from the quiet indie-folk of previous single Part of the Band on new single Happiness. More textured than some of their earlier work, Happiness is a sparkling pop song driven by a soulful groove. 

Gently Tender- True Colours (Sometime I’ll Get Through)

True Colours (Sometime I’ll Get Through) is a mindful sort of song. On the surface it seems like a chat between two people in a relationship, but dig a little deeper and it turns out the track is actually a conversation with unwanted emotions. Tackling feelings of depression and anxiety, True Colours (Sometime I’ll Get Through) is inviting and measured, welcoming its subjects difficulty with open arms.  

Matilda Mann – Margaux

Matilda Mann’s latest offering is all about watching somebody slip away from you. With Matilda’s melodic mastery and classically tender vocal, Margaux is an evocative slice of longing and loss.  

Calvin Harris feat. Charlie Puth & Shenseea – Obsessed

As part of his album Funk Wav Bounces 2, Calvin Harris has teamed up with Charlie Puth and Shenseea on Obsessed. Clocking in at just under four minutes, Obsessed is a grooving disco-pop bop that delivers on the promised bounce of the album’s title. 

KSI feat. Tom Grennan - Not Over Yet 

If it came down to it, KSI and Tom Grennan would go down swinging. At least, that’s the message on new collaboration Not Over Yet, which sees both artists amped up and ready to go like boxers bouncing on the balls of their feet. All inner power and self-confidence, Not Over Yet could be just the boost you need to make it through to the end of a difficult week.

Kokoroko – War Dance

Taken from their debut album Could We Be More, Kokoroko’s War Dance bubbles along with a feverish energy. Soulful and rich, War Dance brings to mind things simmering under the surface, occasionally spilling over in a burst of brass instruments.  

Maisie Peters – Blonde

We all know that apparently blondes have more fun, but on her latest single Maisie Peters has captured a less talked about – but equally significant – aspect of acquired blondeness: the power to burn everything down and rise above. Shouting out iconic blondes like Courtney Love and Gwen Stefani, Maisie points out that there’s nothing so powerful or troublesome as a burned woman and a box of bleach.

Joel Corry and Becky Hill – History 

Teaming up for a summertime banger, Joel Corry and Becky Hill share their History. Both powerhouses in their own right, Joel and Becky’s collaboration is a bright dance bop that brings the best of both worlds.