Each Friday, our recurring column Songs of the Week spotlights the best new tracks from the last seven days. On this edition, we’re jamming out to tunes from Freddie Gibbs, Underscores, Joey Valence & Brae, and more.
Domani — “Ms. Jackson”
T.I. and 50 Cent are engaged in a beef. At this point, T.I. has recorded and released multiple diss tracks against 50, and his sons King Harris and Domani have entered the chat, unleashing their very own scorching responses to Fif’s family-wide disrespect. Domani’s is by far the superior track of all that have been released. Over a haunting sample of Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson,” the almost-25-year-old MC tackles the 50-year-old 50 Cent’s childish and vitriolic ways, through the lens of Fif’s relationship with his late mother: “I know you’re not familiar with a mother or a father/ Maybe that’s the reason easily you’ll talk about ’em/ Maybe that’s the reason you be targeting the women/ Let somebody try your mama, bet you probably wanna kill ’em.” — Kiana Fitzgerald
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Freddie Gibbs & DJ Paul — “Find Out”
Freddie Gibbs and Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul are a match made in underground heaven. Technically that would be hell, but it’s all good because that’s where Three 6 Mafia was birthed. On “Find Out,” DJ Paul’s production oozes before exploding into a Southern gothic horror theme as the Memphis hip-hop legend raps about his established reputation: “You fuck around and find out fucking with me/ Cause I’m the same n***a that was turnt as a teen/ I was tearing up clubs since you n****s was 3.” Freddie Gibbs takes over the last third of the song, rapping ever-intently about his street status and his overall character. — K. Fitzgerald
Glixen — “Unwind”
On their latest offering, “Unwind,” Phoenix shoegazers Glixen are as hazy and ominous as ever. With walls of sound made up of guitars that are absolutely dripping wet and drums that sound like their tape is playing back ever so slightly slower than it should be, the tune is damn near psychedelic. All the while, frontperson Aislinn Ritchie’s vocals are remarkably soft and clean, as if they’re taking you by the hand to lead you through the melting world of “Unwind.” — Jonah Krueger
Joey Valence & Brae — “push the pipe”
Normally Joey Valence & Brae songs possess a powder keg worth of energy, but new track “push the pipe” finds the duo teasing out the hype, trying on new flows, and drawing on their roots. The former CoSigns sound right at home across a beat that moves quick and slams against the speakers, bringing just enough chaos to keep you coming back for more. The track lands on their newly-released HYPERYOUTH DELUXE, the extended edition of their 2025 LP, and it just shows how much gas Joey Valence & Brae still have in the tank. — Paolo Ragusa
Juvenile & Megan Thee Stallion — “B.B.B.”
Juvenile’s “B.B.B.” has excited the millennials of the internet since its initial release last month. A rugged party-starter, the song quickly became an anthem for women and femmes of a certain age, who categorize themselves according to the track name: big-booty bitches. Who comes to mind when you think of this exceptionally-gracious title? Megan Thee Stallion, of course, and rap fans have been clamoring to hear her added as a feature to the song. Lucky for us, Juvenile has finally released the Megan-assisted remix, and the Houston rapper more than delivers: “A YN can’t do shit for me/ I need that old money, AARP,” she raps from the chest, equally entertaining and earnest. — K. Fitzgerald
Lebra Jolie — “Whole Thang”
Gucci Mane’s career is the stuff of legend; in fact, it’s so legendary that other rappers are able to ride his coattails to their own variations of success. Houston MC Lebra Jolie is the latest to benefit from Gucci’s blueprint. With “Whole Thang,” Jolie flips his 2006 hit “Freaky Gurl” into a commanding anthem of empowerment. In addition to the inspiration of the song itself, the animated production also takes a page out of Gucci’s book of trap hymns. Lebra Jolie’s verses about her wants and needs hit hard here, but the chorus is the most effective, as a collection of voices insist that their partners, “Do whatever IIII saaaay, make him pay the whooole thaaang.” — K. Fitzgerald
OOIOO — “Gamel BE SURE TO SPIRAL”
A few weeks ago, OOIOO and Lightning Bolt announced the split LP THE HORIZON SPIRALS / THE HORIZON VIRAL, leading off with the latter’s “CLOUD CORE.” Now, we get the first of OOIOO’s offerings, “Gamel BE SURE TO SPIRAL,” an eleven-and-a-half-minute krautrockian journey. There’s an ever-present, driving groove, repeated vocals, and increasingly wild instrumental additions. It’s a fuckin’ blast of a tune, one that I’d be happy to spiral out into again and again. — J. Krueger
Swapmeet — “I Know”
Now signed to Winspear, Australian indie rock outfit Swapmeet have officially kicked off their next era with “I Know.” The tune is a melodic, dynamic piece of guitar-driven Aussie rock that features both sweetly sung vocals and big distorted choruses. Fans of indie darlings like Porridge Radio and Indigo De Souza, as well as current up-and-comers like Trophy Wife or Teethe, will find plenty to love in Swapmeet’s increasingly realized sound. — J. Krueger
Underscores — “Tell Me (U Want It)”
Underscores is back with another banger, “Tell Me (U Want It).” This one hinges on a throbbing, buoyant groove, one that threatens to swallow the song entirely when it bubbles up in the chorus. Underscores’ musical style has been evolving over the last few years, and “Tell Me (U Want It),” a lot like recent track “Do It,” is one of her most pop-forward moments yet; still, with buzzing bass and frenetic action, it’s all filtered through her own unique lens. — P. Ragusa
