(SPOT.ph) The rainy season might put a damper on your spirits, but we're sure these tunes will do the opposite. Our playlist suggestions this month include Charli XCX's cheeky ditty, Linkin Park's latest song, Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's collab, Selena Gomez's sultry track, and Cara Delevingne's debut single. For local flavors, we have Reese Lansangan, Ben&Ben, Sud, Rusty Machines, and Brisom for your listening pleasure.
Song: "Boys"
Artist: Charli XCX
Charli XCX is unapologetic in “Boys” as she opens it with: "I was busy thinkin’
Fun fact: The music video, directed by Charli XCX and Sarah McColgan, features a number of famous "boys" including Joe Jonas, Diplo, Wiz Khalifa, Mark Ronson, and Riz Ahmed.
Song: "Go Online"
Artist: Reese Lansangan
Reese Lansangan just gets us. The indie pop and folk artist
Fun fact: Lansangan shot, directed, edited, and animated the lyric video for this song.
Song: "Talking to Myself"
Artist: Linkin Park
The world is still reeling from Chester Bennington's passing, and Linkin Park's latest track, "Talking to Myself," has everyone listening. The song offers a more melodic pop-rock flavor, a departure from the band's darker sound, but the depth in their songwriting is still there.
Fun fact: The band's newest album is titled One More Light.
Song: "Kathang Isip"
Artist: Ben&Ben
Folk-pop act Ben&Ben tugs at our heartstrings with "Kathang Isip," a track that thoughtfully captures the pain of unrequited love. Brothers Paolo and Miguel Guico croon their way through the track, accompanied by the rest of the band in full force.
Fun fact: Ben&Ben was formed in 2015 by twin singer-songwriters, Paolo and Miguel Guico. Also in the band are Poch
Song: "LOYALTY."
Artists: Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna
Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's badass collaboration gets a very cinematic treatment. In "LOYALTY." the two play lovers whose trust and loyalty are constantly tested in the dangerous world they navigate. So far, the single is Lamar's more pop-influenced release from his latest record.
Fun fact: "LOYALTY." is the fourth single off Lamar's latest album, DAMN.
Song: "Di Makatulog"
Artist: Sud
Sud's latest single is a soothing piece of music about those lovelorn, sleepless nights we've all been through. The track starts off subtly and explodes into an almost orchestral arrangement. Watch for the satisfying saxophone solo toward the end, too.
Fun fact: The alternative soul band was founded in August 2011.
Song: "Fetish"
Artists: Selena Gomez feat. Gucci Mane
Selena Gomez knows the limits of her vocals, and she's sticking to her strengths: Coming up with catchy and sensual pop tunes that can get stuck in your head for days. For "Fetish," Gomez enlists the help of rapper Gucci Mane who adds some hip-hop flavor to the sultry tune.
Fun fact: The music video for "Fetish" was first previewed at the end of Gomez's "Bad Liar" video.
Song: "What Went Wrong"
Artist: Rusty Machines
Rusty Machines is set to please more and more local music fans. "What Went Wrong," their new single off their upcoming debut album, has that rough-around-the-edges, indie-rock sound that you can't help but love.
Fun fact: The band members include Iggy San Pablo (vocals and guitar), Joshua Andres (guitar), Miko Miso (drums), and Leandro Fabregas (bass).
Song: "I Feel Everything"
Artist: Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne's music debut is anticlimactic, but her vocals do seem promising. In "I Feel Everything," the supermodel, actress, and now singer works her way through a jazzy arrangement. Her accent is endearing as always, but we'd love to see her redeem herself in her next release.
Fun fact: The song is from Luc Besson's latest movie, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. It was co-written and produced by Pharrell Williams.
Song: "Balewala"
Artist: Brisom
Fun fact: The music video for "Balewala" will be launched on August 9 at 12 Monkeys in Ortigas.