Enfnts Terribles

1. Tate McRae ft Ali Gatie — lie to me

We’re not lying when we say Tate McRae and Ali Gatie deserve your time this week. The 17-year-old Canadian rising star Tate McRae broke through with her single “you broke me first” around six months ago, but in the meantime, she’s already been nominated for the VMA’s Best New Artist Award. Quite the dream, right?

For her eighth single of 2020, McRae teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper Ali Gatie. During quarantine, they wrote “lie to me” over Facetime and now proudly bring us a dark but poppy tune, accompanied by a music video filmed in McRae’s hometown library, featuring both artists and some sick dance moves.

2. Lauv ft Conan Gray — Fake

Let’s be real, don’t we all know someone who’s best described as fake? With humor and colorful, glittery visuals, American electropop idol Lauv sings about just that in his newest release “Fake”. Last year, Lauv collaborated with the one and only Troye Sivan for “i’m so tired”. And now he brings another iconic collab with Conan Gray.

Gray started on YouTube (just like Troye Sivan!), and his indie-pop sound is becoming more and more popular everywhere. Last March, he released his debut record Kid Krow, which became the biggest US new artist debut of the year and “Heather” is currently trending on our new favorite app TikTok.

3. Lil Skid — Different Action

Let’s keep it short but powerful, that’s what Belgian rapper Lil Skid must have thought when making his newest single. In just under two minutes, “Different Action” is a mix of regular rap and mumble rap, on a beat of Retnik Beats.

Earlier this year, Lil Skid released his EP Graduation ½, produced by Belgian hip hop producer Chuki Beats. For this body of work, the rapper collaborated with Belgian rap icons Yung Mavu and Rare Akuma. On his new single, he does it solo, and that works perfectly as well.

4. Claud — Gold

Indie singer-songwriter Claud from Brooklyn describes their sound like music that goes well with any late-night snack. But it’s more than that. Claud has a unique way of turning awkwardness and queer sadness into catchy music, just listen to the newest track “Gold” as proof.

Their EP Sideline Star in 2019 with debut single “Wish You Were Gay” already convinced us of all the potential, but we still have to patiently wait for a full LP. Claud’s new song “Gold” is the first release on Phoebe Bridgers’ new label Saddest Factory and could open some doors for the interesting artist.

5. Lana Del Rey — Let Me Love You Like A Woman

Lana Del Rey finally released her first single of the year, and she sounds cooler than ever before. With “Let Me Love You Like A Woman” she proves once more that less really is more. Calm piano music makes her enchanting voice stand out, creating a sad love song that’s perfect for those rainy fall days.

It’s the first single for her upcoming album, Chemtrails Over the Country Club, but it’s still a mystery when her new full-length project will see the light of day.

6. Geeeko — Rodeo

Everything famous Belgian hip hop producer Chuki Beats is involved with, seems to become a hit. Belgian rapper Geeeko has worked a lot with the phenomenon before, and now dropped “Rodeo”, mixed by Chuki. The track sounds very promising, with a nice flow and a good beat. Geeeko has been called a shooting star in the Belgian hip-hop scene because of his hits “Fendi” and “Lean”. And we’re sure there’s still a lot of him to discover, especially since his debut album is on its way.

7. YDE — Stopped Buying Diamonds

Born in Australia with Filipino roots and based in LA today, the 17-year-old singer-songwriter and actress YDE steps into the world with her irresistible, debut single “Stopped Buying Diamonds”. You may know her from Nickelodeon and Netflix series, like The Haunted Hathaways or Malibu Rescue. But besides acting, the young star threw herself at making music, and her efforts paid off last year. She got signed to songwriter Justin Tranter’s label Facet Records, who also worked with icons like Justin Bieber, Halsey, and Imagine Dragons. Take our word for it: this isn’t the last time you’ll hear her name.

8. Lav — Reds

Bold internet persona, over-sharer, or singer with her heart on her sleeve, that’s how you’d describe the young talent Lav. In February 2021, the American pop singer will drop her debut EP and for now, she gives us a first glimpse of what to expect with her single “Reds”. It’s a slow, dreamy, seductive song about nostalgic romance, perfect for a calm afternoon.

This authentic tune follows the footsteps of earlier successes like “Wavvy” and “The Girls Before Me”. Our queen Billie Eilish even covered her single “From me, The Moon”, and gave her a shout-out on Instagram. That could be a good omen.

9. King Princess — Only Time Makes It Human

King Princess releases the queer anthems we’re living for. Now, the American singer-songwriter returns with the upbeat tune “Only Time Makes It Human”, a song about letting go of a relationship. Her lyrics are brutally honest: “All of her love became an album, and I’m still the one who’s crying.” Add to that the “Oh la la la la la,” and the song makes for a catchy banger perfect for loud sing-alongs. King Princess always brings her A-game, so we’re definitely hungry for more new tunes.

10. Lorana — Here In Between

“Do you know that feeling of knowing where you’re headed and knowing where you come from, but every now and then getting lost ‘in-between’?” That’s what this single is about according to Belgian singer Lorana on YouTube. She describes the transition of being in her early twenties and still feeling like a kid sometimes but already getting treated as an adult.

“Here in Between” is a single from her second EP with the same title. She completely produced this work by herself and released it just this week. Inspired by Lorde and Bon Iver, her sound is minimal and pure, but convinces due to rich soundscapes.

Images by Karen Davis