B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars – “Nothing on You”

Something about this track makes us feel like we’re back in the mid-‘90s, probably one of the summer months. No, definitely one of the summer months. But then the song gets warped through a time machine and resurfaces in 2010, fresh and clean and maybe full of ice crystals. We’re assuming the journey through space and time is a cold one. Ice crystals or no ice crystals, this is a head-bobber. Nineties-tested, Fresh-Scouts-approved.

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Cavo – “Crash”

At first you’re all, “This is a nice little rock track I guess.” Then you’re all, “Oh, some harmonies? How quaint.” And you tap your toes and slap your palms on your knees soberly to the beat. That’s when the hook hits and then you’re all, “Holy crap!” Then you stop talking to yourself and go download the song because it’s awesome. And you all lived happily ever after.

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J. Cole – “Lights Please”

This is the track that got J. Cole signed to Jay-Z’s label, and it’s a generally safe motto that if it’s good enough for Jay-Z, it’s good enough for us. And why not? The beat rolls like drifting lava in a warm lamp while J. Cole flows over the beat with a sort of Lupe Fiasco pinash. True hip-hop right here, folks. Like we said, if it’s good enough for Jay-Z, it’s good enough for us.

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