Linqua Franqa, courtesy Sean Dunn.

This week writer Tim Hoffman and editor Rachel Alm went halfsies on Tuesday Tracks! We feature hip-hop artists BfB Da Packman, Linqua Franqa and Big Yavo, as well as radical pop from Biig Piig, folk from Cat Clyde and alt-rock from UNI and the Urchins.

BfB Da Packman, “Hoe Friends” — With New Year’s around the corner, perhaps some party tracks are in order. Rather than getting “Low” with Flo Rida to bring bodies to the dance floor, why not try BfB’s outrageous and raucous new club banger? He’s out of control—and Da Packman completely embraces it, with raunchy and salacious lyrics so insane you’ll definitely wind up doing a spit take with your New Year’s champagne. – Hoffman

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Linqua Franqa, “Coming For Ours” — Politically charged songs—particularly in this era—are often anthems of desperation and anguish. Many call either for action or the end of one thing or another. But political activist Linqua Franqa (Mariah Parker) uses this opportunity to offer a politically minded song that looks to the future with hopeful optimism. They advocate for improved working conditions and unionization as a means for worker solidarity in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. – Hoffman 

Big Yavo, “Bally Sneaks” — Big Yavo has been on the up-and-up as he climbs to the top of the Southern rap scene, and he’s letting everyone know just how hungry he is for success. Yavo makes his perspective clear from the get-go: If you ain’t made gains, you have no game. The energy of Yavo’s delivery going bar for bar is matched by the booming instrumental for this frenetic single. – Hoffman

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Biig Piig featuring Deb Never “Picking Up” — Jessica Smyth, who performs and records as Biig Piig, is an Irish singer known for her work with U.K. radical pop crew NiNE8 Collective (which includes Tuesday Tracks alumna Lava LaRue). She gets a big assist on this high energy track from L.A.-based singer-songwriter Deb Never, who’s made three prior appearances in this column, too. “Think I might take a trip for just a moment/ I need something to give me serotonin,” she sings before the drums kick in with a frenzied beat. Biig Piig’s debut mixtape, Bubblegum, will be released Jan. 20. – Alm

Cat Clyde, “Mystic Light” — Cat Clyde has a folky, vintage sound that I think still counts as Americana even though she’s from Ontario, Canada. On “Mystic Light,” Clyde yearns for purpose and connection with the natural world. She’s coming off a well-received collaboration last year with fellow Canadian country singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino on their LP, Blue Blue Blue. Cat Clyde’s upcoming album, Down Rounder, is slated for Feb. 17. She will join Lissie on a U.K. tour next year. But first, she makes her third Tuesday Tracks appearance (her first was in 2017). – Alm

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UNI and the Urchins, “Covid Metamorphoses” — I just love the sound and the vibe of this track. Bassist Charlotte Kemp Muhl, who sings lead on this track, has a world-weary, raspy vocal delivery that sounds effortlessly cool. “Covid Metamorphoses” has grungy guitars, orchestral instruments and glam synths, and somehow it all works together. She engineered, mixed and mastered the band’s upcoming debut album, Simulator, and has also directed all its videos (including this one). Additionally, I love a good literary pun! The title is a very niche joke and I’m here for it. Simulator is out on Jan. 13. – Alm

Tim’s Pick: All the way back in 1995, Andre 3000’s words were immortalized when he said, “The South got something to say.” Linqua Franqa embodies this statement, with their uniquely positive and uplifting message when speaking to the state of current political discourse. There’s outrage aplenty in the political music space, with few songs offering an optimistic outlook for what’s to come. That’s what makes “Coming For Ours” such a refreshing change of pace, especially during times when it feels like the future doesn’t seem so bright.

Editor Rachel Alm contributed to this story. Follow hip-hop critic Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.