Billboard's Friday Pick Hits

Krewella: “We Go Down” [Columbia Records]

Summer’s almost over, but vocal-fronted electronica trio Krewella sound like they’re ready to close the sticky season with a bang. Or with a banger, courtesy of their new single “We Go Down.” Sisters Jahan and Yasmine Youhaf sing over producer Rain Man’s beats, meshing reggae-inspired rhythms with high-frequency drum and bass. The end result hits hard, with the sort of pop-inflected song structure and heavier drop that have gleaned such sudden success for the group over the last year. The Chicago three-piece are about to tour extensively around North America, kicking off proceedings at Electric Zoo in New York this weekend, and wrapping up in November in their hometown. If you’re bummed about the long days and balmy nights winding down, just turn this up a little louder.
-Tshepo Mokoena@NeuThings

Macklemore + Ryan Lewis - Can't Hold Us (Big Gigantic Remix) [free download]

I admittedly don't listen to much non-dance music, but this summer it has been impossible to ignore the massiveness of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' anthem "Can't Hold Us." Until Big Gigantic uploaded its take to SoundCloud earlier this week, I couldn't find a dancefloor-friendly version of the track that fit my tastes. But I'm glad they gave us their take: this remix preserves the original qualities of the song while amplifying the percussion and drums to make it more of a banger. Oh, it's also a free download. And you know a thrift shop-lover can't ever argue with free.
-Jacob Schulman @JacobSchulman

Vice feat. Mike Taylor: "World Is Our Playground"

L.A. native DJ Vice is one of the best open-format DJs in the world. The 20-year veteran started playing hip-hop records on LA’s Power 106 in the late 90s before securing DJ residencies at Las Vegas nightclubs like Lavo, TAO and Marquee. Over the last few years, Vice has been working on his production chops -- remixing tracks for Dev, Yuna, Rita Ora, Tegan & Sara and Capital Cities. His latest original track, "World Is Our Playground" looks to be a breakthrough hit. The progressive house track features Mike Taylor's catchy vocal paired with Vice's beautiful piano riff and a high-energy buildup. As a DJ who's played some of the most prestigious parties around the world, the song is a perfect fit for Vice.
-Eric Coomes @EricCoomes

Sir Sly: “Miracle” [Cherrytree/Interscope]

“I just want what can’t have,” Sir Sly’s Landon Jacobs croons over a guitartronica beat. But we can have what we want as the Los Angeles-based trio has made this track available as a free download. And you’ll want to cop it if for no other reason than the waning days of summer should be soundtracked by exactly this kind of chillwave. Touches of sadness throughout never veer towards despondent and the gentle synth strumming will induce some swaying if not verified toe-tapping.
-Zel McCarthy @ZelMcCarthy