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
TURNSTILE & BADBADNOTGOOD – "NEW HEART DESIGNS (FULL EP VIDEO)”
For us here at KCRW Music, anything BBNG touches turns to gold, and the nu-jazz collective’s latest collaboration is no different — a ten-minute musical celebration with hardcore punk band Turnstile, reimagining their vocals and riffs into a groovy sonic journey perfectly juxtaposed by concert footage populated by raging fans. Click to witness the magic of two disparate musical styles coming together, crowned by an extra-long runtime and a veritable cornucopia of instrumental selections.
More: BadBadNotGood live on Morning Becomes Eclectic
Wild Nothing – “Headlights On (Feat. Hatchie)”
Hello old friend! Jack Tatum, the voice and producer behind Wild Nothing, is back with his first new album since 2018 — and it’s been a busy few years. The early days of the pandemic aligned with the birth of his first child with his wife, and you can guess that it wasn’t an easy time. You don’t have to guess: the soul-baring lyrics in this energized, ‘90s dance-tinged truthy track are an honest take on a rough patch in a relationship. Enjoy plucky percussion, faraway synths, and a big ol’ declaration of love and devotion in this excellent comeback cut.
More: Wild Nothing live on Morning Becomes Eclectic
Enny Owl – “Nicolette”
If the bleakness of reality has you looking for a fantastical escape, Enny Owl’s here to be your guide. A musical storyteller infusing pop sensibilities into traditional Celtic structure and sounds, the UK-born, LA-based singer-songwriter offers a soothing mix of practical encouragement and fairy tale mysticism in this RPG-coded single. Give in to the swordplay, the chorus of elvin oooos, the backtrack of moody strings, the glitter filters — and know that magic is real, if only you believe.
bby – “hotline”
Too much screen time lately? Get back to humanity and experience the rush of a tiny, sweaty room full of joyful music with this basement banger. This bouncy indie jam appears to be the hard launch of the underground UK-based band bby, who are leading the IRL revolution with a series of live shows seeded by down-low social media invitations. Despite being (presumably) pretty green, these lads have deployed an expert level single: high-energy, grin-inducing, and structured to keep you jumping along.
Troyboi – “Zurna (Feat. Jon Casey)”
Give into this trance-inducing track from DJ and producer Troyboi, one of the stronger currents in the wave of trap/house/dub that’s pouring out of the UK. Dark, moody, and sharp as a tack, this track feels like a thesis on electronic beats — tick off the sounds and influences from decades of innovation in the electro-sphere as you listen. A collaboration with South African DJ and producer Jon Casey, this track stands out for its utter clarity: Each new sonic element rises from the void to hit you square in the face. Be ready!