One of TIDAL’s founding principles is that we do not rank creativity. To each their own, in terms of what constitutes a great song or makes one song “better” than another. However, each week there are a few tunes that really test our belief system, and we can’t help but elevate them above the thousand-plus tracks we’re pitched across genres. So keep checking this space on Fridays for a list of new songs that are sitting atop our own personal playlists. Maybe yours are different. That’s cool. After all, if you are part of the TIDAL family, your opinion matters and, also, you clearly have better taste in music than your friends. That’s one ranking we can make with certainty. - Tony Gervino
Dariel Amant
“Romeo Y Julieta”
I’m quickly becoming a fan of Dominican artist Dariel Amant. When I heard the single “flores.” last year, I swayed my hips to its Afrobeat-flavored bass line and swooned at the romantic lyrics. But the newest single from the New Jersey native stopped me in my tracks. I’m a huge ’90s R&B fan, so Dariel immediately hypnotized me with “Romeo Y Julieta,” which samples the classic Brandy and Monica duet “The Boy Is Mine.” The song is only two minutes long, so you know that means I’ve hit repeat many times. No shame! - Lizz Carroll
Arca
“Puta / Sola”
The Venezuelan artist-producer’s latest single, “Puta,” continues her raw and unfiltered perreo sounds. Her lyrics are as sexually charged as the title suggests but it’s her production that steals the show. The yin to her hella yang is “Sola,” a soft soundscape you could hear at a 5-star hotel whilst getting a massage. Yet that’s the alluring duality of Arca — brutally hardcore and secretly tender. - Jesús Triviño Alarcón
DAMEDAME*
“PROMISE”
Before you Google the British duo DAMEDAME*, let me spoil that one of the words you’ll find most frequently used to describe their sound is “genre-bending.” But more important than whether that is true or not is the question of why I think you should Google them — “PROMISE” is some of the freshest stuff I’ve heard in a minute. Banging drums, incredible vocals, just a fun record that has edge in all the right places while never losing any of its earworm appeal. Now feel free to hit that search engine — and play “PROMISE” while you do it. - Philipp Senkpiel
Doechii
Westside Gunn’s “EGYPT (Remix)”
The Weeknd’s “Timeless (Remix)”
Doechii’s 2025 run is a master class in momentum. After dropping the haunting and hypnotic “Anxiety,” she could have taken a break, but instead she doubled down. In less than a month, she’s delivered standout features on two sonically opposite tracks: Westside Gunn’s gritty “EGYPT (Remix)” and The Weeknd’s dreamy, genre-bending “Timeless (Remix).” On “EGYPT,” Doechii rips through the beat with laser precision, declaring, “I done snuck up to the top ’cause they mistook me as a rookie.” And on “Timeless,” she levels up the track with pure swagger and ease: “My brand grossin’ numbers you’ll never believe / it’s a billi on the streams.” Doechii is dominating with confidence and range. - Juan Navarro
Honey Bxby and Toosii
“3AM”
Drenched in early 2000s nostalgia, “3AM” by Honey Bxby and Toosii instantly transports listeners to carefree summer days. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to cruise with the windows down and the sunroof wide open. The dynamic call-and-response between the duo evokes the classic chemistry of Method Man and Mary J. Blige while Honey Bxby’s powerful vocals elevate the song, adding a rich emotional depth that lingers long after the final note. - Tonya Nelson
Maruja
“Look Down On Us”
Look up the word eclectic and you just might find a picture of Manchester band Maruja. The quartet combines post-rock, jazz, noise, hip-hop, post-punk, art-rock and political lyrics while citing excellent acts like Floating Points, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington and Swans as big influences. Their latest single “Look Down On Us” is a perfect introduction to their sound — dark, angry, hectic, progressive, dreamy and very exciting. - Christer Alexander Hansen
Obongjayar
“Jellyfish”
A surprisingly raging new single from the Nigerian-born, London-based singer Obongjayar. He’s been lending his distinctive voice to many different musical projects, including collaborations with Little Simz, Fred again.. and Everything Is Recorded, not to mention his incredible debut album, Some Nights I Dream of Doors (2022). His new material is, as always, pleasantly difficult to pigeonhole — “Jellyfish” has an art-rock/punk attitude, aimed towards spineless British politicians. Written with Fontaines D.C. guitarist Carlos O’Connell and slowthai producer Kwes Darko. - Bjørn Hammershaug
Adrian Quesada and Hermanos Gutiérrez
“Primos”
Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas teams up with Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez for a soulful, shimmering “psychedelic bolero.” The guitars (Quesada, Estevan) and lap steel (Alejandro) will make you want to swim through the song, but Jay Mumford’s drums will have you dancing in the mix. - Brad Farberman
Ed Sheeran
“Old Phone”
Ed Sheeran’s single “Old Phone” is a heartfelt reflection on memory and connection in the digital age. Sparked by powering on a phone he hadn’t touched in years, the song captures the raw emotion of rediscovering old messages from lost friends and past loves. It’s a simple, stripped-back track that hits unexpectedly hard. - Amberliz Mateo
Britney Spears
Oops!... I Did It Again (25th Anniversary Edition)
My forever princess of pop is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her sophomore album with a deluxe drop that is stronger than ever — 10 bonus tracks have been added. My favorites on the album years later still include deep cuts like “What U See (Is What U Get)” and “Don’t Go Knockin’ on My Door,” and of course some of the timeless singles like “Oops!” and “Stronger.” This album has been on repeat more times than I can say over the past quarter century and, oops, I’ll be doing it again for the next 25. - Sarah Janiszewski
War
“Zorro”
Isaac Hayes composed Shaft’s theme, Curtis Mayfield did Superfly, James Brown had Black Caesar and now Zorro has a song from War. Consistent with earlier themes, imagine this track during Zorro’s opening credits, with lyrics matching his fight against bad guys. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Why Can’t We Be Friends?, one of my favorite albums ever, “Zorro” is out now as a single off the collector’s edition. The song has the unique War sound I love. Like the rest of the album’s tracks, the instruments and vocals blend seamlessly, featuring one of the funkiest bass lines I can remember. - Joe Dodd
