THE 10 BEST CHILL SONGS WE'RE LISTENING TO THIS WEEKEND

Photo by Clarke Redd

As January concludes, it feels like it's only a matter of time until brighter days start arriving around these parts. While the end of last year and the beginning of this year have been a struggle with the spread of Omicron, among other things, I'm confident happier, more positive memories are ahead. Without future ado, then, let's keep the good vibes flowing this Friday with the latest edition of We Are: The Guard's Best Chill Songs. Featuring Babeheaven & Navy Blue, slenderbodies, Brahny, and seven other faves, this playlist has something for everybody!

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BABEHEAVEN & NAVY BLUE – MAKE ME WANNA

Ahead of embarking on a tour of the UK and Europe with We Are: The Guard favorite Rhye this spring, Babeheaven has unveiled the dreamy swirl "Make Me Wanna." The latest single to be released from the British outfit's forthcoming sophomore album, Sink Into Me, was built from two old demos that were written while Nancy Andersen was dealing with a breakup. "It really feels like a direct and concise version of what I was trying to say in that moment," adds Nancy of the Navy Blue-featuring trip-hop sedative.

SLENDERBODIES – CHAMOMILE

As I type this, the sun is pouring in through my office windows and the birds are singing sweetly in the trees. Spring has most definitely almost sprung, and today, slenderbodies is getting us all the more in the mood for the change of seasons with the refreshing "chamomile." With the Los Angeles duo's breathy falsetto voices intertwining with slinky droplets of synthesis, "chamomile" is an invigorating listen that goes down like a cup of the ancient medicinal herb after which it's named.

BRAHNY – NIMBUS

He returned in December with "Siamese," and this Friday, Canada's Brahny continues to immerse us in his longing cinematic universe on "Nimbus." While "Siamese" was as fragile as a flower in spring, "Nimbus" comes anchored by a driving beat that caused this listener's head to nod in unison. That isn't to suggest that "Nimbus" doesn't have an exquisite delicacy about it, though, with Brahny's aching voice moving over the whole thing like a gust passing through an open window late at night.

KHRUANGBIN & LEON BRIDGES – CHOCOLATE HILLS

Just in time for the weekend, Khruangbin and Leon Bridges are getting ready for some sultry bedroom antics on "Chocolate Hills." The latest single to be taken from their forthcoming collaborative EP, Texas Moon, after "B-Side" is a delectably sensual slow-burn about getting lost in the carnal delights of a lover. "I love the way you spend your time runnin' through your fields/The way we play in your chocolate hills," aches Leon atop a cosmic bed of delayed guitars and muted drums. Scrumptious.

BABEHOVEN – FUGAZI

They recently signed to Double Double Whammy, and this Friday, Babehoven is making their debut on the record label with the exquisite "Fugazi." The first single to be shared from the Hudson-based act's forthcoming Sunk EP, "Fugazi" is a sparse, doleful folk beauty that hears Maya Bon discussing casual misogyny. "But he thought that he showed me Fugazi/And I don't know how to explain how that feels/It doesn't make sense why it hurt me," sings Maya against Elliott Smith-esque thrum. Magnificent.

SAINT JOSHUA – PALO SANTO

Saint Joshua was undoubtedly one of We Are: The Guard's favorite discoveries of last year, and today, the British artist continues to build on the momentum of his debut EP, Pilot, with "Palo Santo." As the Spanish title suggests, "Palo Santo" has a distinctively Latin flavor to it, with danceable beats supporting Saint Joshua's sultry, soulful croon. Much like the holy wood after which it's named, the song also carries with it an uplifting energy, with "Palo Santo" clearing out all toxic, negative vibes.

TEFLON SEGA – GETAWAY

It was only recently that Teflon Sega was featured here with the GOBLIN SLAYER-sampling "Roses," but the Metaverse native is already making his return to our column today with "Getaway." Originally uploaded to SoundCloud in October 2020, "Getaway" has long been a cult favorite among Teflon's fans, with the song finally earning itself an official release this January. Bringing together the anime character's moving voice and thumping trap anthemics, "Getaway" is pure nocturnal escapism.

PORTAIR – ALL THE THINGS WE'VE NEVER DONE

Having shared The Light That Gives EP last summer, Portair returns this January with its follow-up, The Ice That Breaks EP. According to the Los Angeles-based artist, the five-song collection follows his journey into meditation, with the EP coming headed by "All the Things We've Never Done." Clocking in at four minutes, the soothing hymn finds Portair ruminating on missed opportunities, with guitars gently interweaving with his expressive voice like organza ribbons as he tackles his innermost thoughts.

YAEOW – I DON'T WANNA LET U GO

He recently took a break in order to tend to his mental health, but yaeow is finally making his comeback today with "i don’t wanna let u go." Opening to yaeow's devastating voice coming laced in vinyl crackle, "i don't wanna let u go" immediately plunges us into its emotional depths. As the song progresses, "i don't wanna let u go" only grows more affecting, with yaeow documenting the intense waves of a breakup: "I'm runnin' against the tide/And it feels like I'm drownin' in my mind/I don't feel alive."

TOMBERLIN – IDKWNTHT

Following on from the release of the Alex G-produced Projections EP in 2020, Tomberlin has delivered "idkwntht." An anagram for "I Don't Know Who Needs To Hear This," "idkwntht" is a radiant tango in the night, with starry sighs of saxophone supporting Tomberlin as she lists her intentions by the light of the moon. "I don't know who needs to hear this/Sometimes it's good to sing your feelings," croons Tomberlin, with Felix Walworth repeating her words back to her like a validating voice of reason.

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Jess Grant is a frustrated writer hailing from London, England. When she isn't tasked with disentangling her thoughts from her brain and putting them on paper, Jess can generally be found listening to The Beatles, or cooking vegetarian food.