Welcome to Our D.C. Playlist, where we’re rounding up the new local releases we’re listening to. Got a D.C.-area music recommendation? Let us know who we should be listening to here.
In heavy rotation this month are offerings from Broke Royals, Rico Nasty, Mystery Friends, and more.
Rico Nasty, Nightmare Vacation
The Prince George’s County-native’s debut album is an exhilarating 16-song set. Nasty made part of the album back home in Maryland, and the artist — who was named to the XXL Freshman Class last year, alongside names like Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby — blends punk rap with hyperpop to raucous, rousing results.
Cat Janice, “The Ocean (for you)”
The Northern Virginia singer-songwriter has been dropping vibrant tracks for the past couple years, and her talents are on full display here. With shimmering, chime-laced production, the classically trained musician conjures images of a breezy day at the beach, before launching into a siren’s call of “oohs.” The song is also part of an environmental initiative the artist is working on.
My New Mixtape, “Nothing Is Real”
After releasing music under the moniker for a decade, the single marks Alexandria-based songwriter and producer Jarrett Nicolay’s final release as My New Mixtape. The track, which centers partly on the topical ideas of misinformation and confusion, starts with fitting lyrics for the project’s send-off. “Now becomes forever, at the end of the era,” he sings over acoustic guitar. The track is spare enough to showcase whimsical flourishes and lend weight to the song’s final, striking conclusion: “Nothing is real except right now.”
GoldLink, “Best Rapper in the F**kin World”
The local rapper’s first release since his 2019 album Diaspora is not the pure musical boast its title might suggest. Produced by DJ-producer Kaytranada, the song also features reflective lyrics recounting the artist’s upbringing, including a few D.C.-area shout-outs. “Long days from Le Pearl days and the Metros,” he raps over stuttering synths and a frenetic beat, referencing the now-closed Capitol Heights go-go venue Le Pearl Ballroom.
Broke Royals, “Goldbrick Champion (ft. Bartees Strange)”
The D.C. band rebrands negative thoughts using 80s-tinged pop-rock on its new single. Backed by peppy, driving drums and jangly guitars, frontman Philip Basnight sings, “One thing at a time, I can only handle one thing at time,” with a touch of ear-catching reverb, before the bridge. Then, featured musician Bartees Strange declares, “One hand up if you’re overwhelmed, two hands up if you’re overwhelmed.” As if we all can’t relate right now.
Mystery Friends, “Time and Place”
The self-described “moderately danceable” electro-pop group over-delivers on its new single. In the verses, over pulsing drums and ringing guitars, vocalist Abby Sevcik sings of people who have grown apart, before the massive chorus hits like a surge of relief: “I think I know the way through, we’ve been here before / This is nothing new, we’ve been here before.” Come for the tasteful synths, stay for the epic, slow-building outro.
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