Every Monday, Add of the Week unveils all the new songs going into the 88Nine on-air playlist, with one hand-picked selection put in the spotlight by a member of our music team.
The L.A.-based indie duo NEIL FRANCES (alterna-pop nerds Jordan Feller and Marc Gilfry) just released "Head Straight,” a new collaboration with singer/producer/multi-instrumentalist St. Panther that leans into brash and summery-sounding R&B funk and soul.
The track is also a showcase for Cali-based nonbinary and Latinx artist St. Panther’s admirable ability to slide from singing to rapping with confident charisma. They’ve described themself modestly as a “nerdy-looking hip hop artist,” but the 28-year-old uses that to their advantage to slay in an unassuming way.
On “Head Straight,” we find the protagonist dealing with brewing emotions in the wake of a verbal altercation, regretting they “can’t take back things that I said soft,” feeling like they’re in the dog pound. Even though the gloom is palpable, the clouds break as St. Panther sings, “towards the sun I’m walking as the days run,” finalizing things with the act of choosing to break free:
Cus baby you’re on fire
Just a puppy running free in the field
I know that you never tire
Solo running into eternity
“Head Straight” leaves off on a high note, the best side to be on after the storm has passed. You can listen to the track here and on 88Nine by tuning your FM dial in Milwaukee, or streaming worldwide on our website and mobile app.
This week’s other adds
- "Odyssey," Beck & Phoenix
- "Haunted Mountain," Buck Meek
- "Oh Caroline," The 1975
- "New York Transit Queen," Corinne Bailey Rae
- "Brain Worms," RVG
- "Do the Dance,” Sid Sririam
- “One Like You,” LP
