Top of The Drop

By Daniel J. Springer

This is our monthly installment of soon-to-drop and recently dropped releases from the music world. The best of the best that may not yet be on your radar, sly favorites and audio gems selected by “Danno,” longtime host of GFN’s The Drop with Danno.  — Ed

Hiatus Kaiyote – “BMO Is Beautiful/Everything’s Beautiful”

This is the cut everyone is talking about from the Aussie future funk outfit’s latest album Love Heart Cheat Code, which dropped in full June 28. As one would expect, the record itself overall is a very solid experience, even if a bit disjointed in feel between tracks and in the overall narrative. However, this medley is rightly getting a ton of hype and praise, as it’s a gorgeous downtempo that continually blooms as it develops.

Falle Nioke – “Weatherman”

This is a remarkable artist out of Guinea, with this being the lead single to a compilation from a boutique label in London called Eat Your Own Ears Recordings. Volume 1 of their label comp will drop later this year, but we just adore Nioke, who sings his songs in eight different languages and is a real talent who’s collaborated with the likes of Sir Was and others over the past several years.

Cool Heat – “Little Romance”

Chicago’s Eden Sierotnik returns with this new single after releasing an EP and an album over the last couple of years. This one also shows that the Chicago-based indie soloist isn’t slowing down, with a new album called Abandon set for release later this year, “Little Romance” taking the lead in the upcoming singles.

Magdalena Bay – “Image”

You never quiiiite know what to expect from this outfit. Except for high quality, that is.  They also have a knack for sounds that are both futuristic and vintage simultaneously, which fits this vaporwave-meets-chanson feeler. After their stellar 2021 debut album sent shockwaves everywhere, they’re now ready to drop their sophomore effort Imaginal Disk, which is out later this month.

Kate Bollinger – “To Your Own Devices”

Virginia native Kate Bollinger just always makes it seem so easy. From the breezy vocal deliveries to the melodies, it is remarkable how artists like Bollinger and Faye Webster just make their songs feel like a summer drive. This one is going to be a bit pensive and slow for some, but a worthy listen. More importantly, this song will feature on Bollinger’s upcoming album Songs from a Thousand Frames of Mind, due out September 24 via Ghostly International.