Track of the Weekend #141: Years & Years - “Ties”

The grass in the fields is brittle. The sunshine pours down daily. It’s been a dry summer here in northern France, and the city of light has been the city of heat. Few acts right now are hotter than the temperatures here, but one that’s unquestionably on fire is Years & Years, an English electro-R&B group that has been steadily infiltrating the airwaves. The trio’s latest single, “Ties” capitalizes on their now-famous style: a seductive voice, expertly-constructed melodies, and some of the catchiest lyrics this side of Disney. No wonder “Ties” was the hottest track on Whyd this week. And their album “Communion” is rapidly on pace to become one of the biggest of 2015. 

Track of the Weekend #135: Beirut - “No No No”

Only three words can describe the situation in Paris today: Hot. As. Fuck. With temperatures soaring above 30ªC the populace has firmly planted itself outside, along the banks of rivers and canals. Rosé is flowing like the Seine. It’s a great time to be in the French Capital. So it’s total coincidence that Beirut bursts back onto the world scene with their first single in 4 years, “No No No” and it immediately shoots to the top of the hot tracks. Beirut fans will be pleased with the harmonious rounds, the use of the voice as an instrument, and of course some horns for good measure. Apparently their new album will be coming out in the fall, so we have ample time to chill in the sunshine before heading off to pick it up. 

Thanks to Maxime M (again and again!) for getting it to us! 

Track of the Weekend #48: Darius - “Velour”

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Man, it was a hot week in Paris. Everyone was sweating, sitting planted in front of fans spinning merciful air around our oven of an office that bakes in the afternoon sun until it’s impossible to type on your keyboard without drenching it in dripping sweat. It was so hot this week that the Hot Tracks on Whyd were just Tracks. It seemed like everything was on fire. 

***Editor’s note: We are not complaining about the heat, au contraire, it is actually welcome after almost two years of no summer or heat. It feels beautiful, the city of light glows in bright sunshine, the architecture is crisp and dynamic, all of those little details that fade away with the gray drizzle are startling present, like a treasure you forgot you had buried away in your closet. That being said, there is also no AC here, so it does get a little toasty.***

But like ice in our coffee the Track of the Weekend provides a cooling emotional soundtrack to the week. With the ticking of a stop light ready to start a race, “Velour” by Darius was added by Aline – who has been setting trends left and right and now passed over 10,000 subscribers. “Velous” develops like the heat it suppresses, burying layers of sound over the fire until it all re-ignites into a blaze of glory. 

Never stop jamming!