interim Music Director Mike Biggz here, with your monthly top 5 songs that I can’t stop obsessing over.
Songs to Obsess Over & Over
August 2025
Stacy Epps – Feels Like
(RE:Source Collab)
Stacy Epps is an Atlanta soul singer who first popped up on my radar back in 2008 and hit the scene hard with some soothing post Dilla Detroit style soul joints. After a decade plus long break, she triumphally returns with a new single and album. The lead single, “Feels Like”, produced by Madlib, is just fire. She hits her sweet spot musically and vocally, as soars over this 1, 2 bouncer of a track that hypnotizes you and puts you in a better mood instantly. This is one of my top songs of the year, so far.
Jane Handcock feat. Anderson Paak.- Stare At Me
(Death Row)
Oakland based soul singer, Jane Handcock signed to the newly revamped Death Row records drops her latest single, the infectious Stare At Me. Jane is giving some serious Angie Stone vibes on this fun upbeat song featuring Anderson Paak. The song also draws inspiration in it’s intro from Tom Browne’s Funkin’ For Jamaica. Jane has been putting it down for close to a decade now and really catching some deserved attention with her latest album, “It’s Me, Not You. If Jane isn’t on your radar, you need to pay attention.
Niia – Throw My Head Out The Window
(Candid)
Jazzy, sexy and super cool like the breeze on a warm summer day, Throw My Head Out The Window is the latest single from Italian-American jazz vocalist and composer Niia. This track is very addictive, with it’s driving beat, smoothly layered synths and electronic piano and that glorious sax, provided by Nicole McCabe. the song’s sonic palette is as bold as its message
Lupe Fiasco – S.O.S
(1st & 15th Too)
After Lupe’s incredible 2024 album, Samurai, Mr Kick Push returns with the deluxe edition of Samurai in EP form. The lead single, S.O.S (Substance Over Style) really is the closest thing I’ve heard to true Hip-Hop music, taking the modern boom bap crazy and approach with some classic Tribe style vibes, over a super sweet jazzy bassline, a cascading E-Piano loop and horn sample in it’s hook that feel like it came out of the best parts of the underground in 1995. Produced by Lupe as well, the lyrical wordplay is going to case some serious repeating listening and dissecting for lovers of rich complex word play. I wish I had a walkman to truly immerse myself in this sonic cocktail of classic material.
Brenda – Dedicated
(Colemine)
Hudson Whitlock of Surprise Chef / Karate Boogaloo / The Pro-Teens just released an incredible album under the moniker, Brenda. An album full of left field indie soul sensibilities, endless future drum breaks begging to be sampled and chopped and Whitlock’s laidback vocals that glide over these songs. Dedicated is a cut that stood out in a field of diamonds with it’s funky drumming, blending the guitar and piano riff in a way that reminds me of Rising To The Top by Keni Burke, but if Isaac Hayes arranged it. Do not sleep on Brenda.