PinkPantheress longs for an American boy on Stateside

There’s loads of music out there, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up.

Rather than letting the algorithm dictate your music taste, you can listen to Rated by THE FACE – a playlist that’s lovingly curated and updated by our (human) editorial team every week.

Lorde – What Was That

She’s back! Lorde’s first new track in four years is fuelled by nostalgia and euphoric synths, with restrained production courtesy of Jim‑E Stack (who’s worked with Gracie Abrams and Caroline Polachek) and Dan Nigro (you know his work from Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo). What Was That is a song about longing, about getting fucked up, tender moments, teenage dreams, you know the drill. It’s what Lorde does best. JW

Isabella Lovestory – Telenovela

Sex, glamour and buckets of campy drama. On Telenovela, Honduran artist Isabella Lovestory invokes the hammed up theatre of Latin soaps, warning a lover in Spanish, ​“Now you’re the protagonist in my love film/​Lots of drama, like a soap opera,” over pounding reggaeton drums. The accompanying music video is a raunchy fever dream, showing Isabella caught cheating mid-orgy, throwing up purple glitter and getting arrested in a prison-uniform-bikini. Strap in, it’s a wild ride. TL

PinkPantheress – Stateside

The Dare​’s probably been pinching himself ever since Charli xcx knocked on the door of his NYC apartment. Guess went from not being on Brat, to being souped-up and included on the deluxe edition, to getting a chart-topping Billie Eilish remix. Next thing he knows, he’s snogging someone on stage during Charli’s performance at the Grammys. The besuited anglophile has since landed another covered gig with a British artist: co-producing a single with fellow ​‘00s nostalgic PinkPantheress. On Stateside, Pink sings of long-distance love, echoing Estelle and Kanye’s 2008 hit American Boy, over bass-boosted breaks and the kind of fizzy indie-disco guitar that you’d hear on one of those old iPod ads with the silhouette dancers. Mission accomplished. DR

Cheetah & Nia Archives – Get Loose

Nia Archives is making big moves. The former Face cover star has launched her record label Up Ya Archives to support the new generation of junglists and she’ll also be hosting a monthly NTS residency on Fridays at 5pm, which could significantly increase last minute sales for club night tickets. For the debut Up Ya Archives release, Nia’s teamed up with Bristol-based producer Cheetah for this anthemic, soca-influenced banger. It feels like Get Loose could be everywhere at the festivals this summer. I can almost taste that £8 White Claw already. DR

Lixo – Tolerance ft. LYAM

London producer Lixo has recently kept himself busy by scoring music for Miu Miu. On Tolerance, he’s teamed up with John Glacier collaborator LYAM, who breathily raps over warping synths and a galloping club beat which seems to subtly increase with velocity. Listen with decent headphones to appreciate the sonic detail. DR

Fine – I Could

I’m still listening to Fine’s 2024 Rocky Top Ballads fairly regularly, because those shimmering guitars really hit when the sun’s out and the trees have just blossomed. The Copenhagen artist has made some sonic shifts on this new track, which features a very cool tremolo guitar referencing ​‘60s psych-rock records and Spaghetti Western soundtracks. A chunky bassline, played by Lola Hammerich, which also stands out. According to the press notes, it’s a homage to the legendary bassist Carol Kaye. If you’re going to allow yourself to procrastinate a bit today, I’d recommend reading Carol’s Wikipedia page. DR