As Halloweekend quickly approaches, campuses and people everywhere must prepare. Undoubtedly, there will be ample dorm pregames and house parties. While it’s up to you to provide the drinks, the Catalyst can at least help provide the music. It’s time to add to your playlist already featuring The Weeknd, Drake, and “Jordan Belfort.” Here are a few additional party starters for this weekend:
Justin Bieber – “Sorry” [3.9/5]
The Bieber comeback train keeps on rolling. Reconnecting with Skrillex and Blood Diamonds, Bieber dropped an upbeat jam last week in support of his upcoming album, Purpose. This song isn’t exactly a shift away from “What Do You Mean?,” but it continues the new young adult appeal of Bieber. Skrillex produces excellent drums and melodies to pick Bieber’s vocals up on the chorus.
Ty Dolla $ign – “Blasé (feat. Rae Shremmurd & Future)” [4.1/5] & “Saved (feat. E – 40)” [3.2/5]
Ty Dolla $ign is a singer/rapper from California known for being a bit of a sleazy lothario as well as a talented songwriter and smooth vocalist. He has been behind such songs as Chris Brown’s “Loyal” and Kanye West’s “Only One.” His official debut album, Free TC, comes out on Nov. 13. “Blasé” is an old-fashioned club-rap hit about spending money and spraying champagne, featuring help from rap’s little party boys Rae Sremmurd. “Saved” is a bit of a rip-off of J. Cole’s “No Role Modelz,” in the style of “Loyal,” but with the assistance of E-40, who continues to blur the line of comedian rapper.
Snakehips – “All My Friends (feat. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper)” [3.7/5]
This song is for more of an end-of-the-night moment. Tinashe croons over the ‘90s TLC-type of beat, while Chance melodically raps over the middle verse. The chorus is one of those pull-you-in sing-alongs about the endless cycle of going out to no avail. Not a party starter, but maybe a night closer.
Jack Ü – “To U (feat. AlunaGeorge)” [4.2/5]
The third single from Skrillex and Diplo’s joint album is a collaboration with UK Dance/R&B duo AlunaGeorge. In terms of energy, the song is somewhere between “Where Are U Now?” and “Take U There.” The verses are soft with trumpets and vocals, but the drops are aggressive with dancehall-style breakdowns. Along with the debut of the single, a remix EP was dropped with great remixes from Clean Bandit and Armand Van Helden.
D.R.A.M. – “Cha Cha” [4.3/5]
Technically, you may already have a version of this on your party playlist. Drake’s “Hotline Bling” is in reality a melodramatic slowed-down version of “Cha Cha.” The original is a much more upbeat version accompanied by old-school video game sounds. While Drake’s is about a former booty call, D.R.A.M.’s is about meeting a beautiful woman at a bar. If “Hotline Bling” is too sad for you, “Cha Cha” is the version you want to hear.
Michael Christmas – “Are You Around (feat. Polyester the Saint)” [3.7/5]
This is a song for all the hosts on Friday and Saturday night. You and your roommates might be getting some initial drinks going while texting your friends and letting them know to come over. Michael Christmas wants you to know what’s in store for the evening. This light-hearted chiller is a great warm-up for the night.
Bobby “Boris” Pickett – “Monster Mash” [100/5]
In the words of comedian Kyle Kinane, “The Monster Mash” is “a great song regardless of season.”