by Lily Goldberg, staff writer In 2015, Spotify changed the game by releasing a feature called “Discover Weekly.” For those of you unfamiliar with “Discover Weekly,” it’s a personalized playlist compiled of tracks that are similar to ones you’ve played. For those of you who are familiar with “Discover Weekly,” it’s pretty clear that it’s a hit or miss kind of deal. Here’s a playlist compiled of my Top 10 Discover Weekly Hits! 1. “Danger” by Lijadu Sisters – This funky song is the first track from the Lijadu Sister’s 1976 album of the same name. The Lijadu Sisters, identical twins from Nigeria, achieved fame in their home country for their signature blend of Afrobeat, jazz, disco, and reggae styles. 2. “Sharpness” by Jamie Woon – London-based recording artist Jamie Woon hasn’t caught on in America yet, but this song’s fantastic synth and percussion paired with Woon’s sWoonworthy vocals had me breathless. (Plus: the live version is even better; listen for the break at 1:58) 3. “Lupita” by Fashawn – I cheated – this song wasn’t actually from my Discover Weekly. “Stars,” the fourth track on Fashawn’s album Boy Meets World, was the song on my Discover Weekly that led me to listen to the rest of this album and stumble on “Lupita.” Other honorable mention is “Samsonite Man (feat. Blu).” 4. “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers – The story behind this song is actually pretty funny - Maggie Rogers is a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and she attended a Masterclass where Pharrell Williams came in to offer critique on songwriting. When Maggie played her song for Pharrell, he just sat stunned, shook his head, and then compared her to Wu Tang Clan. And then cries. (video of Pharrell here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyimCGEkiUc ) 5. “Smoke” by Luke Levenson and Abbey Smith – This stripped down song only features a guitar and a drum yet still manages to feel multi-layered and interesting. Abbey Smith’s inspired riffs and runs pack punch into this track. 6. “So Damn Fast” by Lawrence – Brother/Sister duo Gracie and Clyde Lawrence are not what you’d call a typical “family band.” Their incredibly inspired soul mixes synth sounds with big band. Also, the live version is 10x better than the recorded, because sister Gracie’s absurd pipes are featured much more. 7. “No Room For Doubt" (feat. Willy Mason) by Lianne La Havas – This song is perfect for your seasonal depression. I fell asleep at 6 p.m. the other night just listening to it on repeat. The combination of La Havas and Mason’s voices together is simply angelic, and the lyrics are gorgeous. 8. “Things Are Changin’ - Live [Solo Acoustic]” by Gary Clark Jr. – While Gary Clark Jr.’s rollicking blues guitar helped him gain titles of “Hendrix Reincarnated” in other songs, this stripped down track highlights his incredible voice and soulful vibe. 9. “Freaky Feedback Blues” by Benji Hughes – Benji Hughes literally looks like he could drop the song of the season about rednecks with beers and pigs and terriers in trucks, so I genuinely wasn’t expecting to like this song at all. Actually, I didn’t think it would be anything but country, which it is not. 10. “Miss Right” by Anderson .Paak (Live from Spotify Sessions) – The live version of this track from Venice popped up in Discover Weekly, and it showcases two of my favorite features of live recordings – audience reactions and the band’s solos and riffs. .Paak himself barely even sings on this recording, as it is mainly taken up by the band just jamming out after 2:00.
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