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.
Shannon Lay – “Angeles”
Fix your misty-eyed gaze on the LA cityscapes and prepare your nerves for a heartfelt reintroduction to the iconic songwriting of Elliott Smith. This stunning cover of one of Smith’s top-tier heart-wrenchers comes courtesy of local Shannon Lay, whose heavenly sing-strumming in this sparsely-produced track is a slight departure from her punk roots. Discover more beautifully-rendered covers of familiar favorites lovingly handled by Lay — including selects from Nick Drake, The Velvet Underground, and Ty Segall (with whom she plays as part of The Freedom Band) — on her new EP, Covers Vol. 1, out now.
Oracle Sisters – “Hail Mary”
Let’s keep the alt-indie vibes going with this standout single from newcomers Oracle Sisters. This three-piece out of Paris play with the kind of casual confidence you’d expect from a gleaming reunion tour by a ‘70s hitmaker. With storytime vocals, a big fat chorus, and classic instrumentation (see: tinkly piano), this track’s a winner for fans of Elton John, Father John Misty, and … Wes Anderson. Click play for your favorite new boot-donnin,’ indie-slingin’ dream band.
NOIA – “eclipse de amor (Feat. Buscabulla)”
Here at KCRW Music, we relish each time we come across a track that feels at once deeply familiar and totally new. Pulling together deeply resonant references from reggaeton, trip-hop, bossa nova, traditional flamenco, and smokey 1950s lounge lizard purrs, this track is a patchwork of musical pleasures you won’t be able to resist. Paired up with our favorite Puerto Rican duo Buscabulla, Brooklyn-based Spanish stunner NOIA offers it as a taste of her latest album Gisela, released just last month. Play this one for a spiritual journey, solo workout, big-release cry, or sensual closed-door session… it all works under the eclipse de amor.
PWNT – “From Me To You”
This dreamy, breezy track from PWNT, the LA-based indie mish-mash project of producer Kosta Galanopoulos, sometimes sounds like it’s being played from underwater — in a good way. Disorientingly vibey, with a stereo mix that’ll bounce your eyeballs through your headphones (we recommend it, but not while operating heavy machinery), this track’s full of fun surprises, from late-addition tambourines to a Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles-style cacophony jam finale. Don’t miss the soft-edged video for a grainy blast back to ‘70s substitute teacher nature docs and Super 8 footage shot by your Uncle Ron.
Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, & Shahzad Ismaily – “Sajni”
Listen… it’s Coachella this weekend, and what we have here is ideal for both skipping the festival or recovering from it. This eight-minute track is a healing journey through time and space, the collaborative creation of Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab, pianist and jazz composer Vijay Iyer, and musician Shahzad Ismaily — three seasoned players coming together as a seemingly preternaturally aligned trio, offering intensely offbeat syncopation: hauntingly arranged, emotionally resonant, and utterly mysterious. Trigger warning: You will be moved.