Week Ahead – Today’s Top Tune

This month, the world is enthralled with the Olympics! So why not bookend the week with two classic songs from Brazil — one from Bossacucanova and a live recording by a couple of giants, Caetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil. We’ll also treat you to a new one from Jagwar Ma as they prepare for the FYF Festival, an evocative song from newcomer Conner Youngblood, and yet another from Scotland’s King Creosote, as he puts the final touches a new album!

Monday, August 15

Bossacucanova “Balança” [Não Pode Parar!] (feat. Cris Delanno) from The Best of Bossacucanova

In honor of the Olympics, we turn to Brazilian artists Bossacucanova who combine the sway of Bossa Nova with electronic groove-based dance music or as their name reveals “Bossa with a new mind.” Their new compilation culls gems alongside some of their most popular tracks from their albums, including “Balança.” (balan-sah)

Tuesday, August 16

Jagwar Ma “O B 1” from Every Now & Then

Jagwar Ma is sharing the first new song from its forthcoming album due in the fall. It’s a trippy mix that was written and recorded both on a sunny beach community in Australia and the French countryside. “O B 1” features Warpaint’s fierce drummer, Stella Mozgawa, and is mixed by DJ/producer Ewan Pearson.

Wednesday, August 17

Conner Youngblood “Stockholm” from The Generation of Lift

As a child in Dallas, Conner Youngblood played the banjo and clarinet and eventually began to write and record his own songs in his college dorm room. Drawn toward beauty with simple lyrics, “Stockholm” is light and airy as it whisks away any worries.

Thursday, August 18

King Creosote “You Just Want” from Astronaut Meets Appleman

Fife Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote, plays with push and pull that tradition and technology (or analogue and digital) hold on us while creating the feeling of being caught in a web somewhere between Heaven and Earth. Part hymnal, part drone-pop, “You Just Want” includes the most cosmic of instruments, the harp.

Friday, August 19

Caetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil “São João, Xangô Menino” from Dois Amigos, Um Século de Música

The timeless beauty of two old friends — who have collaborated since the mid 60’s — is palpable when Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil take their guitars to the stage as an adoring crowd witnesses “São João, Xangô Menino,”