#HitsOfTomorrow: A Weekly Rundown Of The ‘Should-Be’ Hits

Just a week after her collab with The Weeknd and Playboy Carti, Madonna is back, this time coming together with Sam Smith. “Vulgar” feels like the right fit for the two as Smith continues to push their limits post “Unholy” while “mother” Madonna seems to be ready to defend Smith at any cost. Does the team-up pay off? Well, it’s pride month and it’s sexy and designed for the clubs so it’s a no-brainer but I’m curious if radio will push the track given the blatant age discrimination that continues to dominate Top 40. I mean if Kylie Minogue’s recent “Padam Padam” can’t even garner radio play despite it going viral with the younger generation, does this stand a chance?

More likely to instantly impact is J Hus and Drake’s “Who Told You.” Built for the summer, the single is far better than anything Drake has put out in months (dare I say, even among albums!). The single is just the kind of refresher we need to remind ourselves of his dominance at radio. Ditto for BTS who return with “Take Two.” They really will score a smash with anything at this point but thankfully the single works and hopefully another hit is in order.

The week also sees the release of Niall Horan’s album The Show. Continually underrated, the former One Directioner takes yet another step towards showcasing his own unique melodious style. While it may not be as “showy” as his former bandmate Harry Styles, these are good songs with great production and Horan delivers another album that is literally littered with hits.

Beyond these tracks and albums, there’s a whole world of singles trying to make their way to our summer playlists. So without further ado, let’s get to the songs that deserve our little extra attention – the SHOULD-BE hits of the week. Here is this week’s #HITSOFTOMORROW. 

“Pour Your Heart Out” – RL Grime, 070 Shake

Trap music has evolved quite a bit over the years, and RL Grime has found the perfect combination of mixing drops with a symphonic, highly cinematic sound which makes it feel so current. Adding 070 Shake here is a stroke of genius as the two work wonders over the single that works as well on any gaming playlist as it does on Top 40. We’ve not heard from the talent in quite some time so “Pour Your Heart Out” is truly a welcome return and if programmers are right, this will sizzle up the charts this summer.

“Love At First Fight” – LANY

Ahead of the September release of the album I Really Really Hope So, LANY gives us the first sample with “Love At First Fight.” The single is pure pop perfection, getting us in the mood to dance like nobody’s around. The vocals are strong and the production is first-rate, giving us a vibe that we can dig, especially this time of year. But it is the clever lyrics that are most definitely the highlight – taking an often used cliché of “love at first sight” and instead focusing on the first fight as the benchmark for when you truly learn about the person you’re in a relationship with. All will relate and here’s hoping the single is just the first in a string of hits for this upcoming era.

“Everybody Knows” – Fredo

While some parts of the world still aren’t so fond of U.K. rap and drill, Fredo here gives us so much hip-hop nostalgia intertwined with it, you simply can’t help but move along to “Everybody Knows.” The single feels like the right track to help blow up the subgenre onto the global scale. Fredo’s recent collaborator Dave has already seen some success outside his home region and this single could hopefully do the same, if not even more! This really deserves to break out from any regional domination – this is as summer a hip-hop anthem as there can be in 2023!

“Pretty Day” – Limoblaze, Madison Ryann Ward

“Pretty Day” is just that – a most beautiful “pretty” collaboration between Limoblaze and up-and-coming sensation Madison Ryann Ward. Blending Afrobeat with soul and a little gospel even, the track is as smooth as you can get and feels like a track any playlist would benefit with its inclusion. At a time when so much bad news can feel daunting to process, the song is a lyrical breath of fresh air, reminding us just like Bill Withers did so many decades ago, that the day can be lovely, and pretty.

“Cheat” – Mahalia, JoJo

First things first, I’m happy to see JoJo getting her dues by the slew of newer R&B/soul singers who are making sure to give her her flowers. While the singer really doesn’t have the catalog she deserved to have (let’s not get into all the things that derailed the JoJo’s career for many years), for Mahalia to get the vocal powerhouse on the single is a stroke of genius. Mahalia has never been shy of collaborating with artists herself and “Cheat” works because you can hear the magic of the two working together. While JoJo is the stronger vocalist, the vibe here of the two coming together sharing their disdain for their cheating man. I’m not sure Top 40 will embrace this bop but it’s a throwback production wise and well, does cheating really ever sadly go out of style?

Even More Hits!

“7 Minutes In Heaven” – Kita Alexander

“Alive” – Satin Jackets, PANAMA

“Out Of Time” – Slayyyter

“Oh The Glamour” – Aluna, Pabllo Vittar, MNEK, Eden Prince

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!