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

August is here and it’s not just going to walk on by…not if a number of big acts have a say in the matter. After winning rave reviews for her portrayal as Ariel in the early summer hit “The Little Mermaid,” Halle (of Chloe X Halle) gives us her debut solo single with “Angel.” The single is a lyrical culmination of the past several years for the actress/singer and vocally, she dares to go beyond the normal peripheries of modern R&B, giving us true soul. Beyond the initial hype will the track find an audience, hard to say but we are definitely excited to hear from the talent!

Meanwhile fresh off the much-delayed but incredibly successful hit “I’m Good (Blue),” Bebe Rexha and David Guetta team up again for “One In A Million.” The single doesn’t necessarily have the instantly iconic sample to latch onto but the song is equally catchy and Rexha seems to get her biggest hits with this pairing so anything that gets us more of Bebe, we’re in!

The week also gets us a couple of R&B/hip-hop collabs we didn’t know we wanted! Ciara and Chris Brown team up for “How We Roll” while Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage come together for “Good Good.” Of the two, it’s surprisingly the former that has a leg up, mostly due to a stellar music video that will likely get everyone dancing – as it should!

With that said, here are the songs that deserve a little extra attention – the ‘should-be’ hits of the week. Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow. 

“Paint The Town Red” – Doja Cat

Does Doja Cat really need more attention? Probably not. But given her recent drop in followers and her unwillingness to say “I love you” back to her fans, I want folks to know first and foremost that the artist is back with a banger like no other. Despite the countless female MCs coming out of the woodwork, no one is truly doing it like Doja Cat and “Paint The Town Red” and its genius sample of Dionne Warwick’s classic “Walk On By” is just sensational. While every rapper seems to be trying to find that sweet spot in nostalgia with the Nineties and early 2000s, Cat is taking us way, way back. Much like she did with “Vegas” last year from the Elvis soundtrack, this single is in its own world. This is a groove and Cat has never sounded better. Throw in an incredible music video and those unfollows are likely to return fairly quickly. Talent that just can’t be replicated, this isn’t just a smash, it’s a whole sound!

“Starry Sea” – MAMAMOO+

Mamamoo+, the subunit of the hit girl group Mamamoo, release their first EP Two Rabbits which features a collection of dope tracks including the first single “Dangdang.” But in my opinion, the real “hit” from the set is actually “Starry Sea,” which isn’t just summer soothing – it’s ear candy that would likely blow up on the charts globally. The song is actually a B-track meant to release nearly two years ago, so it’s no surprise it isn’t garnering the same level of attention but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve the applause. Push this to playlists, it’s a winner all in all!

“PUNCHIN’” – Will Joseph Cook

It will be next to impossible to not dance along to “PUNCHIN’,” the latest single from indie-pop talent Will Joseph Cook. The bright lyrics and the optimist tone of finding a match outside your “league” makes a perfect bop this summer. In advance of his upcoming EP NOVELLA, this is a single that could likely impact the charts across the globe if pushed correctly. Cook’s charm and near-perfect vocal delivery make for an exciting single that absolutely deserves a spot in the Top 40. Will the radio gods be kind? Hard to say, but don’t be surprised if you hear this on a few streaming shows in the coming months – winner!

“Flower Power” – Izzy Bizu

Izzy Bizu seems to be on quite the roll! The Brit has seemingly found the right formula to creating a hit song. Her work with ODESZA last year on “Forgive Me” in fact made my personal Top 10 of 2022. “Flower Power” might possibly have the same level of staying power as Bizu yet again showcases her vulnerability across some genuinely catchy melodies and a spirit we just are often missing at Top 40. If there is any justice, the hitmaker’s skills will actually result in this being a global hit record! Lord knows there is nothing quite like this out right now and we sorely need it this summer!

“Click Of My Fingers” – Clavish

So let’s face it. Modern rap has been stuck for a while in a rut but artists like Doja Cat above and here Clavish are finding ways to make the music feel more than just two minutes of TikTok videos. Focused on creating a mood, an atmospheric backdrop and lyrics with substance, “Click Of My Fingers” is yet another gem from the U.K. rapper who reminds us yet again that a beat ain’t all that you need – add some instrumentation, some grit and something real – it will not just standout but will be worth repeating. Clavish hasn’t broken through internationally the way he deserves and this single could just be the one that does the trick! Here’s hoping!

Even More Hits!

“Crush” – Eva Celia

Retro style but very now feels!

“Dating The Devil” – Davina Michelle

Catchy Top 40 bop!

“Sway” – Poppy Rose

You can’t help but feel this!

“Love Somebody Else” – Femke

Simply beautiful!

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!