Temperatures may be dropping, but we’ve got hot new tunes to keep your spirits high. This week’s instalment of What’s Going On is packed with the latest releases from Toosii, Abstract Crimewave, LAVI$H, LU KALA, and Mathieu Santos. Grab your headphones and get ready to add these songs to your playlists. As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow the artists.
Toosii – Hip-hop hitmaker Toosii is back with his highly anticipated project JADED, featuring 14 tracks that showcase his evolution as an artist. The project includes previously released hits “Fuk U Mean” and “Champs Élysées” featuring Gunna, where the duo explores ambition and romance. Gunna delivers a standout verse on the track which has proven to be a standout for Toosii fans. JADED also boasts collaborations with Kehlani and Muni Long, with the smooth track “I Do” demonstrating Toosii’s versatility in R&B. This marks Toosii’s first release since his gold-selling album NAUJOUR, and fans are buzzing following his recent Atlanta event.
Photo Credit: Gunner Stahl
Listen to Toosii’s new track “I Do” featuring Muni Long below.
Abstract Crimewave – Swedish duo Abstract Crimewave, consisting of Björn Yttling and Joakim Åhlund, has released their third full-length studio album The Longest Night, out now available via Chimp Limbs/RedEye. Formerly known as Smile, the pair has collaborated with notable artists like Lykke Li, Dungen, and Chrissie Hynde, who lends her iconic voice to the album’s title track. Another standout song on the project is “Sailing Away,” inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. With a rich history of collaborations, Yttling and Åhlund continue to push boundaries with their unique sound.
Listen to Abstract Crimewave’s new song “The Longest Night” featuring Chrissie Hynde below.
LAVI$H – Zambian-born, Canadian rising star LAVI$H is back with his hot new single “Twin” featuring Mr. TalkBox, marking his first release of 2024. With its highly stylized blend of R&B and future-facing soul, “Twin” is dripping with LAVI$H’s signature swag and features a woozy talkbox and infectious rhythm. His soaring vocals shine as he croons, “I’m missing you any moment you’re not by my side,” culminating in the catchy hook “You’re my twin, twin, twin—my mini-me.” The accompanying visualizer amps up the track’s seductive energy. LAVI$H has been making waves since his debut EP You Made A Big Mistake dropped in 2023. His new EP Who Am I? Vol. 1 is out now.
Listen to LAVI$H’s new single “Twin” featuring Mr. TalkBox below.
LU KALA – Chart-topping Canadian pop sensation LU KALA has just released her alluring new single “Criminal” via LVK/Amigo Records. With love as the proposed crime, LU KALA boasts about a love that feels almost illegal. This track follows her hit “Who’s Gonna,” which recently zoomed to #10 on Canadian radio’s Top 40 charts. Known for her vibrant orange hair and fierce diva stage presence, LU KALA has already made waves with her breakthrough hit “Pretty Girl Era” amassing over 25 million streams. The Congolese-Canadian pop artist will soon open for Cyndi Lauper on her Girls Just Want To Have Fun Farewell Tour in Toronto on October 20 and October 24 in Detroit, solidifying her status as a rising pop star.
Listen to LU KALA’s new single “Criminal” below.
Mathieu Santos – Co-founding member and bassist of indie-pop band Ra Ra Riot, Mathieu Santos is set to release his highly anticipated second solo album Fan Fiction, on November 11. This marks Santos’s first solo effort since 2011’s Massachusetts 2010. The album was initially conceived over a decade ago. Despite logistical challenges, including multiple relocations and a pandemic, Santos embraced the lengthy process, finding inspiration in revisiting his work. The first single “Cutting Up an Ox” is now available and reflects a theme of transcending dualistic thinking, inspired by the teachings of Taoist sage Chuang Tzu. That’s deep! Some of the personnel that worked on Fan Fiction include current and former Ra Ra Riot members ensuring a rich musical experience.
Listen to Mathieu Santos’ new single “Cutting Up an Ox” below.