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.
Black Pumas – "More Than A Love Song”
After breaking through in a major way with their self-titled debut album in 2019, Austin psych-soul duo Black Pumas have teased us with live albums, and killer covers (including one for Christmas). So imagine our relief to finally have word of their sophomore LP Chronicles of a Diamond, due Oct. 27 via ATO. “More Than A Love Song” was worth the wait. Eric Burton’s smooth-yet-piercing voice, vigorous hand-claps, searing guitar solos, and a thrilling tonal shift towards end will have you x-ing the days off of your calendar until you can get your ears on even more Black Pumas.
More: Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada Morning Becomes Eclectic Guest DJ Set
Tele Novella – “Eggs In One Basket”
Ready for Nancy & Lee, but make it 2023? We have just the thing. Tele Novella hail from Lockhart, Texas which they describe as “a small town lost to time.” Their baroque pop with a punk rock spirit, and eye-catching visuals fit what sounds like a rather Lynchian existence to a tee. Grab the full album Poet’s Tooth — which will include “Eggs In One Basket” — from Kill Rock Stars on Oct. 6.
Sweeping Promises – “Good Living is Coming for You”
“Good living is coming for you…” warn Kansas post-punks Sweeping Promises. Don’t threaten us with a good time. The nervy title track to their latest LP lays out a tightrope with you on one end, and catharsis on the other. Can it be reached? Only one way to find out. If you like what you hear, the full album is out now so give it a spin. We’re currently obsessed with the equilibrium-altering harmonics on “Can’t Hide It.”
Tamar Berk – “If U Know, U Know”
Tamar Berk’s location on her Bandcamp profile reads simply, “California.” This feels like an apt description for the sweet-spot-bullseye power-pop of “If U Know, U Know” — kinda like how Ken’s job in Barbie is “just beach.” Crafting great power-pop may seem like a straightforward task. On the contrary, achieving the melodic wordplay, perfect guitar tone, and endlessly hummable chorus that Berk has done here requires a degree of skill that very few possess. Much like making a career out of "beach," or existing in "California," it's more complex than it appears.
Berk's new album tiny injuries is out now, should you want to dig even deeper.
A Beacon School – “KITM”
Patrick J. Smith, aka A Beacon School may very well be NYC’s finest purveyor of gauzy electro dreamscapes. KITM is the latest (and possibly final) single ahead of his sophomore album yoyo, which will also be A Beacon School’s first new solo release in over five years. While the collabs have been lovely, it is so nice to be treated to the main ingredient.