Our Favorite Songs Right Now: the Weeknd, Leonard Cohen, Beck and More

October 7, 2016

As Halloween approaches, pop artists are embracing the spirit of the season. The latest playlist of current Rolling Stone favorites starts by plunging you into gloom courtesy of tracks from respective prince and king of darkness the Weeknd and Leonard Cohen. Below you’ll also hear the latest offerings from Beck and Danny Brown, and should-be hits from up-and-comers like Prep and Goat Girl.

The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk, “Starboy”

The king of sulky R&B sensuality is back with a new LP (out this fall) and a darkly burbling Daft Punk–produced jam that works a sweet spot between hot and creepy like only the Weeknd can. “I’m tryna put you in the worst mood,” he croons. Mission accomplished! And it’s awesome.

Leonard Cohen, “You Want It Darker”

At 82 years old, Cohen can still bring the late-night black magic, and rarely has he been this heavy. His voice rumbles over goth-gospel backing as he seduces his demons (and us) into sunless submission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTm0iKQqxG8

Prep, “Who’s Got You Singing Again”

Buy a boat and learn how to make a good piña colada before slipping into this butter-smooth yacht-pop from some very slick British dudes.

Cherub feat. T.I., “Signs”

Two Nashville electro-pop bros and a Southern-rap vet team up on a dance track that’ll make you want to stay on the floor until you pass out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEx8R5tjO0w

Beck, “Up All Night”

A nice, Beckishly weird surprise: Our boy does summery Timberlakean pop so straight-ahead catchy, a few people online assumed that it had to be some sort of pokerfaced parody. If so, the joke is on them, because he’s laughing all the way to the beach.