Favorite Features — Weekly Track Roundup (from the Archives)
Across all facets and eras of life, a certain truth proves itself again and again: we all need to lean on each other sometimes. Collaboration is such a simple yet powerful thing, in a variety of contexts, but it’s especially effective when a few musically minded people come together to melt your face off specifically.
This archival roundup came about in October of 2023, where we asked members about their favorite collaborations, features, or credited performances.
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar — “family ties”
The Hillbillies are an unstoppable duo. I could have selected this, range brothers, vent, savior, or The Hillbillies as I consider them all to be perfect demonstrations of how to collaborate on a track. But alas I choose this one because it's fucking family ties.
—Emmett Favreau
Little Eva - “The Locomotion”
(Backing vocals by Carole King)
I love the Locomotion. It was a staple of my childhood, particularly in my father’s old Honda as we’d wind the familiar path to the bagel store. I got back into it in a moment of nostalgia when my older sister was preparing for college. If you were to look at its Wikipedia page you’d find a number of impressive accolades as well as the interesting fact that in addition to writing the song with her husband, Carole King sang the backing vocals. It’s hardly an earthmoving performance but I still love it. Something about King’s vocals feels so natural. The Locomotion is so deeply entrenched in memory for me that I won’t try to review it. It’s too late for that.
—Bennett Gottesman
SpaceGhostPurrp — “Terror Gang”
(ft. Black Kray)
After much deliberation I have to pick Kray’s verse on Terror Gang. Kray is one of my favorite artists ever, and this is one of his best verses I’ve heard and it’s over incredible production. I don’t think I can really pick a #1 favorite feature ever, but this is at least tied for #1, and it’s hitting the hardest out of pretty much anything I’ve heard right now.
—Lily Lazar
Post Malone — “Sunflower”
(ft. Swae Lee)
Many people remember their first time listening to Sunflower—which was probably during their first watch of Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse—and can remember every line… until Post Malone takes over. While I personally adore Malone’s work, Swae Lee’s feature absolutely stole the show in Sunflower. His young, almost adolescent voice just carries the sweet tune of the song in a way that Malone’s growl feels awkward in. Lee delivered a memorable and infinitely enjoyable verse that absolutely dominated the charts after its arrival. Everything else? Left in the dust.
—Alexandra Taylor
Them — “Baby Please Don't Go”
(ft. Jimmy Page)
A famous blues rock Them rendition of a classic blues song. Not to mention Jimmy Page playing the iconic riff! What could be a better combo?
—Graham Glassner
HAAi & Jon Hopkins — “Baby, We’re Ascending”
Anything Jon Hopkins touches turns to gold. HAAi could never pull something off like this on her own. When the beat starts hitting on the chorus, Jon Hopkins’ production allows this one to soar. HAAi grits her teeth in dirty techno; Jon Hopkins polishes it to a brilliant shine.
—Philip Keith
Free Nationals — “Apartment”
(ft. Benny Sings)
IMO the best features are not obvious, and on this track Benny Sings sounds completely seamless!
—Nolan Lewis
Temple of the Dog — “Hunger Strike”
(ft. Eddie Vedder)
Love or hate his voice, Eddie Vedder was one of the key figures of grunge and this was a monumental track not only for his career, but also Chris Cornell, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and the genre as a whole. The chemistry Chris and Eddie had on this song was amazing to listen to, and I think it's one of the best and most significant features of rock in the 90s.
—Isaías Pagán de Jesús
