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

Late summer gives us some big new LPs this week including new albums from Quavo, Jon Batiste and Hozier.

Quavo returns with Rocket Power, his first full length-release after the tragic passing of fellow Migos member (and his nephew), Takeoff. The distance spent mourning and healing seems well worth it as the artist showcases his vulnerability but also you can sense there is an attempt to move forward. The album will likely soar on the charts and there are jams like “Galaxy” and “Patty Cake” (one of the final recordings made with Takeoff) that will impact the charts big time.

Jon Batiste also returns after his Grammy Award Album Of The Year-winning We Are with World Music Radio. The album is truly an eclectic mix of sounds and artists that reminded me of those brilliant Quincy Jones records. Batiste is a master at creating a sense of unity sonically, which makes the effort feel more cohesive despite such varied names part of the project — from NewJeans to Kenny G to Lil Wayne to Lana Del Rey! Many Grammys nods are likely again, here’s hoping with such solid guest features on board, the album generates a couple of radio hits too!

Finally, Hozier returns with Unreal Unearth and the album is quite possibly his best work yet. There is something even more serene in the singer-songwriter’s lyrics and vocals here that make for a more intimate and soulful affair yet with an anthemic sound (and a first, some performed in Gaelic!). There are a slew of potential hits including “Who We Are” and “Francesca.” This is an album that’s going to stick around for a while, Hozier definitely has found his lane and we’re loving it.

Beyond these surefire hit album, there are plenty of songs that deserve a little more attention – the SHOULD-BE hits if you will. Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow. 

“SAXO” – WhyTek, Tion Wayne

Call it genius or call it an easy sell, but as soon as that iconic “Mr. Saxobeat” hook plays, it doesn’t even matter. Manchester producers WhyJay and LiTek join hands officially as WhyTek and “Saxo” is their debut effort featuring British rapper Tion Wayne. If this doesn’t shoot straight to the top, programmers are fools. The song is laced with nostalgia but also amazing production value and Wayne’s rhymes are on point for the track. This is a global smash, much like the 2010 hit from Alexandra Stan – but with a whole new take but an equally fun vibe.

“Coming Your Way” – Michael Brun, Anne-Marie, Becky G

“Coming Your Way” feels like the perfect way to end those summer days. Michael Brun gets the always reliable Anne-Marie and Becky G to add color to a slick pop production that should easily find a home on Top 40 across the globe. Hopefully such is the case because we’ve not had many big summer hits that sound this feel-good. Here’s hoping the big named featured artists are enough to get this played and pushed heavily on mainstream radio. Smash!

“Can’t Break Up Now” – Old Dominion, Megan Moroney

There truly isn’t anything better than an old-fashioned collaboration where the storytelling is the USP of the song. Old Dominion and Megan Moroney join forces for the powerful “Can’t Break Up Now,” a heartfelt push-pull song about why being together can still be the right choice to make. We’ve not had such a brilliantly penned song like this in a while and I hope, based on the content alone, this song crosses over from country to the mainstream and AC charts because it’s a straight-up winner. Hands down one of the best collabs this year.

“Better Things” – aespa

After “Life’s Too Short,” aespa is back with another full English single “Better Things” and guess what, it’s better! The girl group have been jumping from one strength to another and it’s likely this is the single to catapult them into mainstream hearts much like NewJeans has seen success this year too. Programmers, there is room for more than one K-pop girl group at a time! Give these talents their chance to shine now too! They’ve earned it!

“Used To Be” – Anitta

Anitta has been giving us all-English bops since last year but none have really become crossover successes to the level she deserves. It’s quite possible “Used To Be” will suffer the same result but I sure as hell am going to try and not make that happen, ’cause it’s such a great pop track. Whereas a lot of her previous English works may not have showcased her personality, this track thankfully does a better job at that and I think that might be the missing sauce and help for the single to actually catch on. We haven’t had a next Shakira or even Jennifer Lopez in decades and there is no one better than Anitta for that mantle. Truly.

Even More Hits!

“Pretty Boy” – LEON

“Keep It Rising” – Supershy, Tom Misch

“The Way You Had Me” – Kasbo

“If Only You Knew” – No Guidnce

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!