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As the week in music comes to a close, Hypebeast has rounded up the best projects for the latest installment of Best New Tracks.This week’s lineup is led by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, James Blake and V of BTS, who each dropped the collab "Bongos" and the albums Playing Robots Into Heaven and Layover, respectively. Also joining this selection are offerings from Buju Banton, Bakar, Teezo Touchdown, Yussef Dayes and d4vd.Cardi B x Megan Thee Stallion - "Bongos"Cardi B reunites with her "WAP" collaborator Megan Thee Stallion for their newest joint, "Bongos." Produced by We Good, Breyan Isaac for The Thirties and DJ SwanQo, the track arrives with a colorful music video set in a stunning oasis.Listen: Spotify | Apple MusicJames Blake - Playing Robots Into HeavenJames Blake returns to his e...

Thundercat is in desperate need of coffee. It’s a sunny Friday afternoon in Tokyo and the virtuoso is preparing to play three back-to-back shows over the weekend. Needless to say, caffeine with a vegan-appropriate dairy alternative is a necessity. “Nobody wants me to be happy,” he grumbles lightheartedly as he watches someone else get served their coffee.But even a busy schedule and the lack of coffee aren’t enough to ruin Thundercat’s first shows in Japan since 2022. He last performed a show here with half-COVID restrictions, when social distancing was still enforced and audience members weren’t allowed to clap and make noise, and had to wear face masks indoors. “It was crazy but ultimately, it was fine. It was funny to me because there are still psychological effects from COVID happening...

As the week in music comes to a close, Hypebeast has rounded up the best projects for the latest installment of Best New Tracks.This week’s lineup is led by Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Doja Cat, who each released the singles "Last Time I Saw You," "Kat Food" and "Demons," respectively. Also joining this selection are offerings from Slowdive, ((( O ))) EarthGang and midwxst, as well as collaborations from the revered trio of Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, Blxst with Bino Rideaux and Queen Naija with NBA YoungBoy.Nicki Minaj - "Last Time I Saw You"After dropping her latest single as a TikTok exclusive, Nicki Minaj officially releases"Last Time I Saw You" on streaming services. The cut is produced by ATL Jacob, TooDope!, Hendrix Smoke, Alex Bak and Frankie Bash and hears Minaj...

Mid Air, the debut solo effort from producer, DJ and singer Romy isn't just a “coming out” album. Rather, it can more accurately be described as a “coming through” album. At 34, Romy has spent the past two decades at the vanguard of electronic music as one-third of the English group The xx, which she formed with fellow classmates Jamie and Oliver when they were just in high schoolOut for release on September 8, Mid Air sees Romy simultaneously trace her origins in the electronic music scene and her acceptance of her sexuality. At the center of the narrative are the many nights spent dancing with strangers, finding love in the crowd and even performing her own live shows. Holding a light up to the dark, sweaty rooms of queer clubs, Romy probes themes of grief, intimacy, love and salvation, ...

Hayao Miyazaki’s highly-anticipated animated feature, The Boy and the Heron officially made its debut this summer. With no promotional materials released prior to the premiere, everything regarding the film from the cast, and storyline to its soundtrack and theme song were all shrouded in mystery before then. The Boy and the Heron is what brought the legendary director, Hayao Miyazaki out of retirement, and is said to be his final film. Undoubtedly, it's a piece of cinema that carries weight for both the filmmaker and his acclaimed Ghibli studio.After opening in Japan, the theme song was one of the first pieces of information about The Boy and the Heron to be unveiled. Written and performed by Kenshi Yonezu, one of the most influential music artists in Japan right now, “Spinning Globe” is ...