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

Beyond Travis Scott and Post Malone, we look at chart-worthy new songs by Laufey, Kara Marni, ASHWARYA, Glades w/FRENSHIP, Benjamin Kheng and James Reid

Published by

Amit Vaidya

July 29, 2023

With another month coming to a close, July ends with three blockbuster album releases.

We’ve got Travis Scott’s surprisingly lengthy (and Ye-reminiscent) LP UTOPIA which includes the released-just-a-week-ago “K-Pop” featuring Bad Bunny and The Weeknd. Post Malone finally cuts with the teases and gives us AUSTIN, his least hip-hop album to date. Does it work? To an extent it does, but I’ll admit, the lack of guest features makes the 17-track album feel a bit much, but there are certainly winners on the album including “Something Real” and “Enough Is Enough.” Anne-Marie also gives us UNHEALTHY – the talented singer seemingly is always on the chart so it’s hard to remember she actually cuts albums too. Of the lot, the recently released title track collab with Shania Twain is the winner and thankfully the song has been a hit for the pair.

Beyond these albums we also get big new singles from real life couple Offset and Cardi B together for “Jealousy” which, well, is exactly what you think it’s going to be. Calvin Harris and Sam Smith team up again this time for a “Miracle”-lite on “Desire.” The single leaves much to be desired but will likely zoom up the charts solely based on both artists’ track record. Ditto for Burna Boy’s “Big 7” and the Drake & Central Cee freestyle collab “On The Radar Freestyle.”

This many releases this week make it easy for many songs to lose some attention. The SHOULD-BE hits of the week are therefore all the more important! Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow.

“Bewitched” – Laufey

A surprise Top 40 hit featuring the Philharmonia Orchestra would make my summer and if Laufey has her way, that may just happen! “Bewitched” is a breath of fresh air from the L.A.-based Icelandic-Chinese multi-hyphenate. The single is instantly captivating, much like the also released music video. We are in dire need of musical diversity these days on playlists and it’s about time artists like Laufey didn’t feel like that exception but more so a regular inclusion to mainstream radio. Beautiful!

“ADHD” – Kara Marni

Anytime an artist takes one step further out of the box (which, remember, we make them work from in the first place), they are closer to becoming more like themselves. Kara Marni takes not a step but a leap forward with “ADHD,” a highly-relatable anthem if you will, for those with the disorder or frankly any person who wishes to be themselves and not let a medication or a condition define who they are. Vocally, Marni hits all the right notes here and lyrically, well, for those who relate, this will become a mantra. The best part – the song is catchy and easy to sing along to making for the perfect pop hit, with a purpose!

“Goodbyes” – Glades, FRENSHIP

Australian indie pop band Glades team up with American pop duo FRENSHIP for the oh-so-perfect “Goodbyes.” The single plays up to the catchiness factor that has been a staple signature for both acts. The catchy chorus and the bittersweet lyrics all make for a global hit that should surpass either band’s following and ideally land the single a prime spot on a streaming show or even better a trailer – helping to jumpstart this instant hit into a real one!

“Rock Bottom Blues” – Benjamin Kheng, James Reid

Speaking of killer collabs, Singaporean Benjamin Kheng joins forces with Filipino powerhouse James Reid for “Rock Bottom Blues.” The single is without borders in that this track has the power to catapult the two into the mainstream Top 40 conversation. Think The 1975 meets Eighties soundtrack soul and you’ve got yourself one of the best Asian/Asian collabs of the year. Here’s hoping their individual followings get the song some much deserved love and that love gets this straight to the top of the many playlists this should easily feature on! Programmers take note!

“Up In My Head” – ASHWARYA

Let’s just say the streak of Indian-born or Indian-heritage artists coming into their own almost on a weekly basis would be an understatement! This week, the much-hyped Melbourne, Australia-based ASHWARYA drops her latest single “Up In My Head” which, after one listen, will simply be stuck in yours! I’ve been waiting for Desi-rooted artists to truly come into their own, owning their identity but the music also not pandering to any style but their authentic selves. ASHWARYA is the perfect Top 40 artist with an edge and the mainstream radio better take notice. This isn’t just an ordinary hit, this is a smash!

Even More Hits!