5 Songs to Hear This Week: Sharon Van Etten, Kathleen Hanna, Say Sue Me and more

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Hey! Did you know that there’s an entire aspect of KCRW music discovery that you might be missing out on? Fear not, because our 5 Songs to Hear This Week newsletter is now a weekly feature on our website. Watch this space for rundowns of the five songs that you need in your life immediately, curated by KCRW Music staff. Don’t want to wait for your latest taste of fresh tunes? Sign up for the Friday newsletter here, and always be the first to know.

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Sharon Van Etten - “Mistakes”

Your pal Sharon is back with the most valuable lesson: put yourself first. Featuring heavy fuzz-laden riffs and a steady marching beat, this rousing track from the indie folk-rock powerhouse swells with the self-assured grace necessary to see the bigger picture. 


Kathleen Hanna + Erica Dawn Lyle & Vice Cooler - “Mirrorball”

What’s better than dance-worthy punk rock? Dance-worthy punk rock with a cause. This high-energy track from Kathleen Hanna, her Bikini Kill bandmate Erica Dawn Lyle, and The Raincoats’ Vice Cooler is part of a special compilation album benefiting the NEFOC (North Eastern Farmers of Color). NEFOC seeks to return land to Indigenius nations and reconnect POC farmers to the land. A quick scan of the comp’s full tracklist has us convinced that they’re about to have a lot of eyes and ears tuned to the cause. 


Say Sue Me - “Around You” 

This bouncy track from South Korean four-piece Say Sue Me sounds like surf-rock nabbed a spot on Top of the Pops. The boppy, vintage feel belies heady lyricism about a serious case of the bummers. Hit play for a track to nod your head to, and give yourself plenty of time — you’re gonna want to delve deeper into the rest of their catalog immediately.


Amanda Whiting - “Abstraction”  

Pioneering jazz harpist Amanda Whiting puts her extensive skill on full display in this sensual, decadent piece of music. With a standup bass and jazz percussion kit perfectly rounding out an unexpected jazz trio, this track is at once serene and deeply provocative. Hit play to find yourself hanging on the edge of every plucked string, high-hat, and deeply reverberating note.


Lalin St Juste - “I Believe in Things” 

One comforting truth to cling to is that in this life, none of us are going it alone — all you have to do is believe. In this meditative track, Bay Area-based artist and The Seshen vocalist Lalin St. Juste calls forth the protection and power of her Haitian ancestry to guide her present moment. No matter the locus of your bloodline, hit play to find strength through inner exploration and belief.