Song of the Week: Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Pop Off on NxWorries’ “86Sentra”

Consequence Staff
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The post Song of the Week: Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Pop Off on NxWorries’ “86Sentra” appeared first on Consequence.

Our Song of the Week column spotlights the latest and greatest new tracks each week. Find these new favorites and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for other great songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Knxwledge and Anderson .Paak return as NxWorries for “86Sentra.”

Sometimes the math just works — two plus two equals four, length times width equals area, and a damn fine producer plus a damn fine MC equals a damn fine track. Oh, the homework requires that I show my work? Well, I humbly submit Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge, collectively known as NxWorries, and their brand new banger “86Sentra.”

With its nostalgic beat, infectious lead melody, and .Paak’s contagious energy, “86 Sentra” is the product of two artists at the height of their powers. What’s more is that, despite my simplified equation above, the resulting collaboration isn’t merely two artists crudely stacking their talents on top of each other. The ability to sound distinct from both .Paak and Knxwledge’s respective work is one of the duo’s — and the track’s — greatest qualities.

There is one massive issue with “86Sentra,” however, and that’s the fact it’s only 96 seconds long. A track this enjoyable being this short should, frankly, be illegal. But, alas, as they say, leave the people wanting more, and that’s exactly what NxWorries have done. Luckily, nothing’s stopping us from putting “86Sentra” on a loop while we wait for their anticipated sophomore effort, Why Lawd?

— Jonah Krueger
Editorial Coordinator

Honorable Mentions

Benita — “The Worst”

The latest single Toronto R&B artist Benita lands like SZA performing a stripped-down set in a coffeehouse. As an artist with a background in musical theater and the choral space (one of her biggest early professional gigs was in Daniel Caesar’s choir during his 2017 tour), her dedication to delivering a performance comes through in the track. Her airy runs and dreamy background vocals elevate “The Worst” in a big way. — Mary Siroky

Griff — “Pillow in My Arms”

Griff has already shown that she can craft an attention-grabbing pop song — look no further than the TikTok-charged success of “Miss Me Too” for proof of that — but the remainder of her EP, ver2igo vol. 2, shows that her understanding of melody extends beyond just one breakout track. “Pillow in My Arms” is bouncy and bittersweet, circling and building on itself effortlessly, threaded together by Griff’s (unfortunately) relatable lyrics. — M. Siroky

John Moreland — “Gentle Violence”

This surprise release from John Moreland was written completely off the grid; the singer-songwriter assembled the project, Visitor, away from society and smartphones for six months, a process that paid off. Take “Gentle Violence,” for example — the folk-rock sound couldn’t feel more authentic, with instrumental flourishes like a brief harmonica interlude settling around his vocals like a well-worn jacket. “We give our devils a place to hide,” he sings on the cynical final chorus, imbuing the sad truth with a dose of realism. — M. Siroky

Lip Critic — “In the Wawa (Convinced I Am God)”

Brooklyn electro-punk up-and-comers Lip Critic are convinced they’re God on their new track — and consider us true believers. The track is absolutely bananas, in-your-face, and unhinged in all the right ways. Positioning themselves as disciples of acts like Death Grips and Machine Girl, Lip Critic has tapped into a whole new kind of aggressive music, and they’re set to unleash it all on their upcoming debut album, Hex Dealer. — J. Krueger

Lo Moon — “Waiting a Lifetime”

Lo Moon return today with their majestic, evocative third album I Wish You Way More Than Luck — even with several standout tracks already arriving as singles throughout the last few months, the album’s second track “Waiting a Lifetime” is the band at their most elevated. “Waiting a Lifetime” features a piano line that recalls early U2, a slow-burning structure, and a four-chord loop that feels both unexpected and strangely satisfying. It builds to the type of explosive, dreamy climax that Lo Moon have become known for, and it’s an undeniable highlight from the group’s strongest album yet. — Paolo Ragusa

Milly — “Drip from the Fountain”

The latest cut from Milly’s forthcoming album Your Own Becoming is “Drip from the Fountain,” an anthemic slice of indie rock that melts into fuzzy, comforting shoegaze. Though there’s equal measures of activity and bliss, one of the biggest sources of energy comes from the THWACK of Connor Frankel’s snare drum. It gives body and power to the band’s sweater-knit slacker rock; a small detail that makes “Drip from the Fountain” just a little bit sweeter. — P. Ragusa

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Song of the Week: Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge Pop Off on NxWorries’ “86Sentra”
Consequence Staff

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