Friday, 2 May 2025

Tracks in Orbit: Week 202518

                          

There’s nothing like kicking off the week with some fresh tunes! Today we’re spotlighting five hot tracks that just dropped or are making waves on the scene. From a superstar pop collab to a long-awaited rock comeback, this list has a little something for everyone. Let’s dive in and check out what’s buzzing:


Maroon 5 feat. LISA – “Priceless”

Maroon 5 is back, and they’ve teamed up with BLACKPINK’s LISA for the very first time on “Priceless.” The result? A feel-good, guitar-driven pop jam that instantly grabs your ear. It’s got that classic Maroon 5 vibe – catchy hooks and smooth guitar riffs – but with a fresh twist of LISA’s sultry vocals. The song’s theme is all about cherishing an irreplaceable love (as the title suggests, “Baby, you’re priceless…”). Adam Levine’s voice blends with LISA’s airy tone, giving the track a dreamy East-meets-West pop flavor that’s super easy to groove to. If you’ve been missing Maroon 5’s early 2000s guitar sound, this song will hit you right in the nostalgia, while still feeling modern and fun.

“Priceless” arrives as a prelude to Maroon 5’s upcoming eighth album, so consider this a sneak peek of what they’ve been cooking up. The band hasn’t done a guitar-focused single like this in a while (they’ve admitted it’s a return to their roots), and you can tell they’re excited about it. The music video amps up the excitement even more – it’s a cinematic, action-packed clip filmed like a mini action movie. In the video, Adam and LISA channel serious Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes: think high-fashion spies with secret missions, dramatic fight scenes, and a flirty cat-and-mouse energy. (Yes, LISA literally kicks Adam’s butt in a playful fight sequence – talk about a power duo!). It’s filmed on vintage 35mm for that movie-like look, making their glamorous showdown feel extra epic. Overall, “Priceless” is a bold collab that combines Maroon 5’s pop-rock charisma with LISA’s K-pop star power, and it’s already got fans hyped worldwide.



Ed Sheeran – “Old Phone”

Ed Sheeran’s latest song “Old Phone” is a heartfelt trip down memory lane. This track strips things down to the basics – it’s acoustic, intimate, and overflowing with nostalgia. Lyrically, Ed opens up about what it’s like powering on an old cellphone and suddenly being flooded with memories. (Imagine finding old texts from a lost loved one – cue the tears). In fact, “Old Phone” was inspired by a true moment in Ed’s life: he found his actual old phone from years ago and scrolled through messages from friends who aren’t around anymore, including his late pal Jamal Edwards. You can really feel that emotional weight in the song. It’s the kind of storytelling and raw emotion that reminds you of Ed’s early hits, like something that could’ve been on his debut album. Gentle guitar chords, a simple melody, and Ed’s sincere voice carrying bittersweet lyrics – this one hits you right in the feels.

Aside from its sentimental vibe, “Old Phone” also marks the next chapter for Ed. It’s the second single off his upcoming album ‘Play’, due out later this year, and it shows Ed returning to a more reflective songwriting style. Interestingly, he’s described the whole album as a “rollercoaster of emotions” that was written after the darkest period of his life – but don’t think it’s all sad. Ed has said that with Play he wanted to create joy and vibrant “technicolor” in his music as a way to heal. In the case of “Old Phone,” you get that mix of sadness and comfort; it’s melancholy, but not hopeless. Production-wise, he enlisted help from pop pros like Ilya Salmanzadeh and Blake Slatkin on this track, so it’s beautifully polished while still feeling personal. As a cool promo twist, Ed even launched a special Instagram account (@teddysoldphone) where he’s been posting tons of throwback photos from his 2010s era – all to set the nostalgic mood for this release. Between the touching backstory and Ed’s classic songwriter charm, “Old Phone” is a standout song that has fans excited (and a little misty-eyed) for what’s coming next.



Don Toliver feat. Doja Cat – “Lose My Mind”

Ready for a high-octane banger? Don Toliver and Doja Cat have joined forces on “Lose My Mind,” and it’s a total rush. This track is actually from the soundtrack of the upcoming Formula 1 racing movie (starring Brad Pitt), and it absolutely lives up to that adrenaline-fueled setting. The beat hits hard and hypnotic, with a pulsating groove that makes you feel like you’re zooming down a racetrack. Don Toliver’s smooth, melodic rap-singing kicks things off, and then Doja Cat comes in and cranks up the energy even more. She drops a fiery verse with her signature confident attitude, matching Don’s vibe perfectly. It’s the first time these two have collaborated, and their chemistry is on full display – they trade lines about being dangerously hooked on someone (or something), which fits a song called “Lose My Mind” to a tee. By the time the chorus hits, you’ll want to blast this song in the car with the windows down. It’s catchy, it’s sexy, and it’s got that cinematic flair thanks to the whole F1 theme.

Speaking of cinematic, the production behind “Lose My Mind” is huge. In a surprising crossover, the song was co-produced by Ryan Tedder (known for pop hits with everyone from Beyoncé to OneRepublic) and Hans Zimmer – yes, the legendary movie composer behind scores like Inception and The Dark Knight! Zimmer crafted the official theme for the F1 movie, and pieces of that dramatic orchestra energy are woven into the track. The result is a bouncy hip-hop/R&B banger with an epic, movie-score undercurrent – not something you hear every day. The music video is just as thrilling: it features Don and Doja in a slick, neon-lit race scenario. Don Toliver plays a getaway driver type, speeding through city streets, while Doja literally rides on a revving engine in one scene, rocking high-fashion outfits and looking fierce. (Fun fact: she wears vintage Mugler designs in the video, serving high-gloss automotive glam). The visuals switch between trippy racing imagery and the duo performing, which keeps the excitement levels high throughout. “Lose My Mind” is the perfect blend of club vibe and action-movie drama – whether you’re a racing fan or not, this track will get your blood pumping.



New to the A-List

Linkin Park – “Unshatter”

Linkin Park has entered a new era, and “Unshatter” is the latest proof that their evolution is in full swing. This track comes from the deluxe edition of their comeback album From Zero, and it’s a powerful alt-rock anthem that longtime fans can really sink their teeth into. It kicks off with that classic Linkin Park energy – a tight blend of heavy guitar riffs and electronic texture – immediately giving off Hybrid Theory/Meteora-era vibes, but with a modern twist. The verses feature Mike Shinoda spitting rhythmic lines (bringing back a bit of that rap-rock flow we love), and then the chorus soars with a huge vocal hook courtesy of the band’s new vocalist, Emily Armstrong. Emily (who you might know from the rock band Dead Sara) joined Linkin Park as co-lead singer, stepping into the immense shoes left by the late Chester Bennington. On “Unshatter,” she absolutely belts it out in the bridge and chorus, hitting big, emotive notes that send chills. Her voice has a raw and soulful rock quality that complements Mike’s intensity perfectly. The lyrics are angsty and relatable – touching on trying to piece yourself together after a crushing heartbreak or betrayal. (“We’ll never ever put it back together… Unshatter me,” the chorus pleads.) It’s emotional, it’s angsty, and it’s undeniably Linkin Park at its core.

What makes “Unshatter” even more special is the context around it. The band has said this was one of the first songs they wrote with Emily during the From Zero sessions, and it was the moment they realized “wow, we can do this” – meaning continue Linkin Park’s legacy with a new voice. You can sense that confidence and revival spirit in the song. The whole From Zero project is basically Linkin Park’s big comeback, their first new music since Chester’s passing, so there’s a lot of emotion and meaning packed in. Fans have been thrilled with how the band has honored the old LP sound while also exploring new ground with Emily. “Unshatter” delivers on that promise: it has the chunky nu-metal guitar and electronic beats that defined LP’s early hits, and a fresh vocal dynamic that gives it new life. The track debuted along with a gritty “official visualizer” video – imagine abstract shattering glass, flickering light effects, and the band’s iconic symbol slowly coming back together. It’s a visual metaphor for healing that matches the song’s message. With “Unshatter” now added to their setlist, Linkin Park is gearing up for some huge shows (they even announced a stadium tour for 2025). It’s safe to say this song has become an anthem of resilience for both the band and fans, marking a triumphant next chapter in Linkin Park’s story.



Ravyn Lenae – “Love Me Not”

Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” brings some silky-smooth R&B vibes to our list – with a twist. This track is one of her newest singles and it’s a groovy, soul-baring jam that shows off a totally different side of Ravyn’s artistry. If you haven’t heard her before, Ravyn Lenae is known for ethereal vocals and alternative R&B stylings (her 2022 debut Hypnos turned a lot of heads). But on “Love Me Not,” she switches it up: the production rides on bouncy, uptempo drums and a pulsing bassline, giving the song a funkier, danceable feel. Over this infectious groove, Ravyn sings in her dreamy, layered voice about the rollercoaster of a complicated relationship. The song’s hook plays on the classic “he loves me, he loves me not” dilemma – you can hear the push and pull in her lyrics. She’ll admit “I don’t need you, but I miss you” in one breath, then describe how her lover holds her tight and lets her go. That back-and-forth captures the messiness of a modern situationship perfectly. It’s relatable and heartfelt, but also surprisingly fun and upbeat; you might find yourself swaying to the beat even as Ravyn’s words hit home emotionally. Critics are already saying this might be one of the best R&B tracks of the year so far, because it manages to be both a bop and a tearjerker at once.

“Love Me Not” arrives alongside news of Ravyn’s upcoming second album (titled Bird’s Eye, due out later this summer), and it’s clear she’s leveling up in a big way. In interviews, she explained that this new music is about trusting herself and reflecting on past twists and turns in life. You feel that self-reflection in “Love Me Not” – it’s honest about heartbreak and longing, but there’s an empowerment in there too, as if she’s processing the pain and growing from it. One cool tidbit: Ravyn Lenae directed the music video for “Love Me Not” herself. The video has a hazy, art-house vibe, depicting Ravyn in a series of intimate, dream-like scenes that mirror the song’s themes of confusion and desire. Think dimly lit rooms with flowers, mirror reflections, and symbolic imagery of that “he loves me, loves me not” motif. It’s visually beautiful and shows Ravyn’s creative vision beyond just the music. With its blend of groovy sound and emotional depth, “Love Me Not” stands out as a fresh, modern R&B gem. Keep an ear out for more from Ravyn – if this single is any indication, her new album is going to be something special.



No comments:

Post a Comment