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.
Mia Doi Todd – "Island in the Storm”
Feeling some trepidation about 2024? Longtime LA singer-songwriter Mia Doi Todd has crafted the indie-folk track of your dreams to invite us all into the New Year…. nice ‘n easy. But there’s no delusion here: Mellow guitar strums and gentle-breeze chime tones accompany a lyrical story about feeling, frankly, just plain freaked out about life on Earth these days. “What’s happening to us, we’re drifting into chaos and uncertainty / Where can we go from here, I wish I could just disappear into… the internet.” Girl, same.
J Mascis – “Set Me Down”
Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis is a “musician’s musician” — one of those prolific artists whose competency, steadiness, and fluid movement between projects carves out a cozy spot in the leaderboard in the eyes of other players. This track’s at full-force from the first note — bold, forward, hopeful and contemplative at the same time. Crashing cymbals and a cut/paste narrative storytime video accompany J’s warm, gravely vocals…. You’re already hooked by the time the killer electric guitar solo ties it all up. Hit play to have your heart stolen, then broken, then healed back up by a rock virtuoso. And ready your ears for the arrival of new LP What Do We Do Now, out via Sub Pop Records on Feb. 2.
ZOLA – “I Am The Cowboy”
Did someone say relatable? Slipping perfectly into your “first week of the year” mindset like Cinderella’s glass slipper is this charming ode to trying — really trying — to do your best. Perfectly suited to soundtrack your self-improvement journey, and musically grounded in an essentials-only arrangement of guitar, strings, and a percussive build that’ll flash you back to yell-singing Bright Eyes in your car, this track’s got your back, baby.
Laurie Shaw – “Rollover”
Irish songwriter and producer Laurie Shaw is doing this very casual, cool, ‘60s-kinda thing that feels positively drenched in experience — which he backs up with over 100 albums. But he seems to be making music entirely for the expression of it, with a cozy little fandom in his native Ireland and recording exclusively in his teenage bedroom. The result is finely honed and playful folk-rock that’s true blue and ready for a spin.
Loren Kramar – “Hollywood Blvd”
Baby, you’re gonna be a STAR. Musician and artist Loren Kramar perfectly captures the clash of Tinseltown dreams with its workaday reality in this theatrical track and essential music video, co-starring the always delightful John Early. A full-bodied composition including big horns, jazzy piano, and Kramar’s soaring showbiz vocals will have you leaping to your feet for a singular standing ovation. KCRW DJ and School Night curator Nassir Nassirzadeh cites Kramar as “one of the best live performances at KCRW’s School Night series this past fall.” Didn’t make it out to School Night? Take note for next season. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know… just keep tuning into 89.9 KCRW.
