The Mic Drop team is back for round two of What We’re Listening to Wednesdays. We’re coming at you with another week’s worth of tunes that we can’t stop bumping. Pop those headphones in or turn on that speaker and get ready to boogie with us!
My Selects
Track One – “On Sum” – TOKIMONSTA, Anderson .Paak & Rae Khalil
My first song comes from TOKIMONSTA’S newest album, Eternal Reverie, which was released a few weeks ago. I love when Anderson .Paak and TOKIMONSTA come together and get creative. Their track “Realla” is one of my favourite songs. TOKiMONSTA lays down a funky, synth-driven beat that gives Anderson .Paak and Rae Khalil plenty of room to flex their smooth flows and laid-back charisma. The result? A track that feels fresh, fun, and easy to jam to.
Track Two – “The Windmills of Your Mind” – Mel Tormé
To all my “Severance” fans, this one’s for you! Since I watched the season finale just a few days ago, I haven’t been able to stop listening to this track. Haunting, hypnotic, and downright mesmerizing—Mel Tormé’s rendition of “The Windmills of Your Mind” is a swirling masterpiece. His velvety vocals glide over the eerie, winding melody, pulling you into a dreamlike trance. If Severance left you with chills and unanswered questions, this track will keep that feeling alive long after the credits roll.
Track Three – “Papa Was a Rodeo” – The Magnetic Fields
A heartbreakingly beautiful ballad wrapped in deadpan delivery, “Papa Was a Rodeo” is classic “Magnetic Fields” storytelling. Stephin Merritt’s deep melancholic vocals lay out a tale of love, loneliness, and the inevitability of goodbye–all set against twangy guitars and a slow, dreamy tempo. Whether you’re a longtime “69 Love Songs” fan or hearing this one for the first time, it’s bound to stick with you.
Track Four – “Hopfields” – More Eaze & Claire Rousay
Since its release a few days ago, I have had this song on repeat. Delicate, introspective, and beautifully fragmented, “Hopfields” feels like a fleeting memory captured in sound. More Eaze and Claire Rousay weave together hushed vocals, ambient textures, and soft glitches, creating a track that exists somewhere between reality and a dream.
Laneisha’s Selects
Track Five – “Vespertine” – Note, aya día
Laneisha’s #1 pick for the week comes from Note and aya día. “Vespertine” feels like floating through a moonlit haze. The hypnotic beat and delicate harmonies make it impossible not to get lost in the sound. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or just looking for something to set the vibe, this one’s a must-add to your playlist.
Track Six – “Give it up 2 me – (Mr. Carmack Remix) [Mixed]” – Ojerime, Mr. Carmack
Mr. Carmack flips Ojerime’s sultry original into a hypnotic, bass-heavy groove that hits in all the right ways. The remix blends smooth R&B vocals with glitchy, off-kilter beats, creating a track that feels both intimate and electrifying. It’s the kind of song that pulls you in, whether you’re lost in thought or moving with the rhythm.
Track Seven – “True and Livin’” – Lord Finesse
Classic boom-bap at its finest. Lord Finesse delivers smooth, razor-sharp bars over a laid-back, jazz-infused beat that feels like a timeless New York night. The track oozes confidence and skill, a reminder of why Finesse remains one of the most respected voices in hip-hop. Take a deeper dive into Lord Finesse’s work with Laneisha’s article, Timeless Tuesdays.
Come back next week for another sneak peek into our playlists! Happy Listening!
