Tracks you might've missed last week: Janelle Monaé, Carmada, Baker Boy + more

Janelle Monaé - Pynk (feat. Grimes)

In the lead-up to her new album Dirty Computer, out in two weeks, Janelle Monaé has been at the top of her game. Following on from the almost-perfect Make Me Feel and the overshadowed, but still great Django Jane, the US R&B queen has reminded us why she's in a complete league of her own, something she's done yet again with the album's third taste, Pynk. Pynk (and its accompanying video clip) is a "radical journey into a new dimension of queer sexuality" and the future of gender, as perfectly put by Pitchfork, with the critically acclaimed musician teaming up with another show-stopper, Grimes, for an infectious, bubblegum-R&B single that is definitely unmissable.

Carmada - Ready For It feat. tribes

After copping a slot at this year's Splendour In The Grass, it seems that Yahtzel and L D R U are returning to their Carmada project in 2018 after taking a bit of time to focus on their respective solo projects. Ready For It is a triumphant return from the superstar duo, combining the rising, commanding vocals of tribes with a dominating, bass-heavy production that instantly throws us back to Carmada's peak. It's more of a pop-centric take on their sound, particularly with tribes' vocals taking such a large amount of the focus on the single, but it points to a right direction for Yahtzel and L D R U who we're stoked to have back as a team once again.

The Kite String Tangle - Evergreen feat. Dustin Tebbutt

In case you missed the news, last week saw Brisbane musician and good Pilerats friend The Kite String Tangle return with a mini-album of sorts, following up his self-titled debut with a nine-track project titled The Kite String Tangle Presents: In A Desperate Moment. In addition to its haunting, yet beautiful accompanying announcement single The Heights Of Trees, Evergreen is a highlight of the mini-album, reuniting with past collaborator Dustin Tebbutt for another stripped-back gem of electronic brilliance. Like The Height Of Trees, Evergreen focuses on a more indie side of The Kite String Tangle's much-loved electronica, making brilliance out of subtle melodies in a way similar to acts like Bon Iver on an international scale. Make sure you check out the whole project while you're there.

Baker Boy - Mr La Di Da Di

The hype around north-eastern Arnhem Land rapper Baker Boy is immense. On just two major singles alone, Cloud 9 and the infectious dance-storm Marryuna, Baker Boy has cemented himself as one of Australia's most exciting and celebrated hip-hop acts, landing on the line-ups of Splendour, Groovin' The Moo and a heap of others and grabbing a heap of well-deserved praise by just about everyone. Mr La Di Da Di is his latest and it's another fun single, bringing together a funk-fuelled bassline reminiscent of Kendrick's King Kunta with his own bilingual vocals to continue to captivate us in the new year.

Coda Conduct - Love For Me

Sydney hip-hop project Coda Conduct are favourites here, but unfortunately, it's been a while since we've last heard from them. After a big 2015 with their Butter Side Up EP and stand-out single Paint It Gold, the pairing only followed it up with a handful of singles in 2016 before going quiet for all of 2017, something they've finally broken with their new single Love For Me. Love For Me is a bit of a banger from the two-piece, tripping into dance-pop territory with an addictive, bouncy production and lighthearted vocals that sit somewhere in between their hip-hop flow and a more pop-focused sound, executed perfectly by the typically upbeat duo that is Coda Conduct.

Florence & The Machine - Sky Full Of Song

Florence & The Machine are back. Sky Full of Song is their first single since 2016 and it's a solid return from the Florence Welch-led group, who have become one of indie pop's most loved and celebrated acts. Released for Record Store Day 2018, it's unsure if Sky Full Of Song will feature on their upcoming, yet-to-be-announced new album but it's a tease of what to expect from their returning album this year, and it sounds great. Although not quite as strong as their previous work, Sky Full Of Song is a welcome return for any Florence & The Machine fan, and it holds great promise ahead of what's bound to be a big year for the Welch and her group.