Photo by Graphic by Ben Schnuck

(A Spotify playlist of all of the songs mentioned can be found at the bottom of this list)

After a somewhat slow January for music, February 2017 has been an onslaught of new and great music. We saw the return of problematic mumble-folk icon Sun Kil Moon, Calvin Harris assembling a dream-team of Frank Ocean and Migos and not one, but two Future albums released in two weeks (with a third one reportedly on the way). Here’s some of the best music from this month:

Slide – Calvin Harris (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)
Although I usually can’t stand the overplayed, stale pop music that Calvin Harris makes, he managed to strike gold with “Slide,” thanks to a little help from his friends. Since “Bad and Boujee” hit the top of the charts last year, Migos are the hottest rappers in the world right now. On top of that, Harris recruited living R&B living-legend Frank Ocean to come out of hiding and provide the perfect feature for this song. “Slide” is the perfect Spring Break song to blast out of your convertible and cruise down the highway to.

It Takes Two – Carly Rae Jepson & Lil Yachty
If you thought Migos and Frank Ocean was a dream team, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The great people at Target have brought us a collaboration of the ages in 19-year-old, and self-proclaimed “King of Teens” Lil Yachty, and underrated Canadian pop icon Carly Rae Jepson (seriously, I know you heard Call Me Maybe, but her 2015 album E•MO•TION is a classic and deserves to be treated as such). The cover song of the 1988 Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock song “It Takes Two” premiered during the 2017 Grammy Awards and compared to the rest of the ceremony, the commercial was definitely a highlight. This song is capitalism at its finest and I adore every second of it.

Spoon – Can I Sit Next to You
Austin Texas’ own alternative rock group Spoon are back with a new album, Hot Thoughts, due this month. Of the singles released early, I found “Can I Sit Next to You” to be a standout track. The catchy lyrics over poppy and experimental synths make for memorable, instantly accessible, disco-tinged indie rock.

Walk on By – Thundercat (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Thanks to his contributions on albums like Flying Lotus’ You’re Dead! and Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, bassist Stephen Bruner, also known as Thundercat, has started to rise in popularity over the past few years. Now, with his first album since 2013, Drunk, Thundercat enlisted the help of past collaborator Kendrick Lamar to rap over Bruner’s minimalist and synth-filled beat. Lines like “Fill up the lavish pen if I needed to right my wrongs/I can’t deny sin, condolences through these palms,” and a reference to Joe the Plumber proves that Lamar is still at the top of the rap world, while Thundercat’s smooth falsetto vocals make for a relaxing and serene track. Check this song out, as well as the rest of Drunk.

I Love Portugal – Sun Kil Moon
Mark Kozelek aka Sun Kil Moon, released an over two hour long double-album, Common as Light and Love Are Red Valleys of Blood, and it’s probably one of my favorite albums of 2017 so far. Is it long winded? Yes. Does he talk about some pretty problematic ideas? Yes. Does it work? Surprisingly yes. With almost 75% of the songs on this album over eight minutes long Kozelek covers a wide range of topics in that span. At one point in the song he talks about what kind of food he’s eating, how he hates Donald Trump and unsurprisingly, how much he loves Portugal. Sun Kil Moon’s stream-of-consciousness, emotional style isn’t for everyone, but I can’t seem to get enough of it.

To Be Without You – Ryan Adams
I found sad-rocker Ryan Adams in 2015 when he released a cover album of Taylor Swift’s 1989, which I found myself almost enjoying more than the source material. Since then, I had almost forgotten about Adams until his new solo album Prisoner released last month. I found myself really enjoying the album, especially “To Be Without You.” The song’s laid back acoustic guitars give it almost a country vibe, which I usually oppose, but found myself really loving.

Vince Staples – Bagbak
Long Beach, California rapper Vince Staples has long been regarded as one of today’s best and brightest talents, but he’s yet to really break through the mainstream. His 2015 debut album Summertime 06 was critically acclaimed, but hasn’t seemed to have a ton of staying power. With “Bagbak,” Staples seems to be close to releasing his sophomore album ahead of his ‘Life Aquatic Tour.’ Like most Staples songs, “Bagbak” is a fast-paced, bass heavy song filled with his trademark witty and biting lines like “Prison system broken, racial war commotion/Until the president get ashy, Vincent won’t be votin’.” Hopefully Vince Staples’ new album will bring the same intensity and technical skill that he brings on this song.

Captive of the Sun – Parquet Courts (feat. Bun B)
Keeping in line with the improbable collaborations, we have the Brooklyn art-rock outfit Parquet Courts teaming up with UGK alumni and Houston rap legend Bun B. It may be cheating, considering the track is a remix of a song from Parquet Courts’ excellent 2016 album, and was also first performed on “Colbert” in July of last year, but despite this, the full track was finally released last month, and boy is it weird. “Captive of the Sun” probably shouldn’t work, but Bun B’s effortless flow combined with Andrew Savage’s deadpan vocals makes for a great remix.