Get into What’s Going On, Biff Bam Pop’s weekly new music roundup. Don’t forget to check back next Sunday and every Sunday after that for more coverage of what’s hot in music. In this week’s instalment, we’ve got the latest from NNAMDÏ, Sigrid, Preston Pablo, Banx & Ranx, and Ava Max. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
NNAMDÏ – This month, Chicago multi-instrumentalist NNAMDÏ dropped his sixth studio album Please Have a Seat, his first project for the Secretly Canadian label. Accompanying the release of the album, the standout track “Touchdown” has gotten a star-studded Sandy Honig-directed music video. SNL’s Sarah Squirm puts in a memorable performance as an obnoxious mom. Fellow comedians Mitra Jouhari, Alyssa Stonoha and Nate Varrone also appear in the clip. Canadian fans won’t have to wait long to hear how the songs from Please Have a Seat will translate live as NNAMDÏ will be playing in Toronto at The Garrison on October 25th and in Montreal at Diving Bell Social Club on October 26th.
Check out the new music video for NNAMDÏ’s “Touchdown” below.
Preston Pablo – Following up the platinum-selling success of “Flowers Need Rain”, Canadian crooner Preston Pablo is out now with his new single “Love You Bad.” The singer-songwriter from Timmins, Ontario blends pop and R&B in such a way that makes him stand out from his fellow artists on the rise. Produced by Banx & Ranx (we’ll get more into them later), “Love You Bad” is a laidback slice of pop that allows Preston’s soulful vocals to shine. What’s “Love You Bad” all about? According to Preston Pablo: “‘Love You Bad’ is a song about the chase for love and getting shut down time and time again. When you love something bad enough, you’ll keep banging on the door, and that’s what we envisioned when we wrote this song. The whole song is an exaggerated pickup line.”
Listen to Preston Pablo’s new single “Love You Bad” below.
Sigrid – Norwegian pop star Sigrid is releasing a new special edition of her second studio album How to Let Go on November 4. Originally out this past May, this deluxe version will include new songs and acoustic renditions of the tracks from the standard album done with her frequent collaborator Askjell. The new song “Blue” is a gorgeous stripped-down ballad that’s perfect for this transition of the seasons. The combination of Sigrid’s vocals, an irresistibly catchy pop melody, and the sparse guitar accompaniment make “Blue” a great first taste of what’s to come from the special edition of How to Let Go. Speaking on why she added the acoustic tracks, Sigrid explains: “Askjell’s studio has really been one of my safe places and then I got this idea that I wanted to make alternative versions of all the songs from my second album with Askjell – to present the songwriting of How To Let Go in a more intimate way, and in that way also show the other side of me.”
Listen to Sigrid’s new single “Blue” below.
Ava Max – Pop sensation Ava Max is dropping her highly anticipated sophomore album Diamonds & Dancefloors on January 27th. Her new single “Million Dollar Baby” serves as a taste of what’s to come from the new project. Keeping in line with the album’s title, “Million Dollar Baby” is a pop smash designed to get listeners up and moving. Discussing what went into making “Million Dollar Baby”, Ava Max says: “When I was creating this record, I was going through a really hard time in my life – heartbreak and just a lot of sadness. I titled it ‘Million Dollar Baby’ to remind myself of my self-worth and wrote the lyrics to show that you can overcome and achieve anything when you put your mind to it.”
Listen to Ava Max’s new single “Million Dollar Baby” below.
Banx & Ranx – Montreal production duo Banx & Ranx have teamed up with dancehall superstars Konshens and Demarco on their hot new single “Balenciaga.” As you’d expect from a track name-checking the luxury fashion brand, “Balenciaga” is a sultry club-ready banger. The duo has become well known for their ECM sound that blends electronic music with Caribbean influences and “Balenciaga” doesn’t stray from that. Explaining the back-to-basics feel of “Balenciaga”, Banx & Ranx state: “Over the years we’ve experimented with many genres, but we’ve always loved playing with the balance of underground club, pop and Caribbean sounds. With ‘Balenciaga’, we’re getting back to that.”
Listen to Banx & Ranx’s new single “Balenciaga” ft. Konshens and Demarco below.
