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 Tuesday newsletter here, and have ‘em delivered directly to your inbox.
Chicano Batman – “Black Lipstick (Live From HQ)”
Among music people, superlatives can be a little… distasteful. But there’s something about LA’s Chicano Batman that just screams “your favorite band.” Recently, the psych-rockers welcomed a new drummer to LA with a live performance at our HQ studios. The whole crew deftly delivered on all fronts: bright organ keys, deep-groove bass, grimace-inducing guitar noodling, and Bardo’s signature take-it-to-eleven emotive vocals. Long a fan-favorite, this slow burn of a track examining the power of one dark-hued beauty is a standout from their forthcoming (epic) full show: watch it here as soon as it goes live on Thursday, Aug. 29.
A Place To Bury Strangers – “You Got Me”
Sick of summer? Set the autumnal tone with this haunting single from A Place To Bury Strangers (aka APTBS). The NYC trio, who call themselves “the loudest band in the world,” have been making moody, big-sound alt-rock since way back in 2002. This latest offering is an entrancing meditation on obsession, control, and all things darkness. Click play for eternal-chamber reverb, Bauhausian vocals, and just enough goth-y drama (and leather) to get you goin’.
Fievel is Glauque – “As Above So Below”
Belgian/American duo Fievel is Glauque stumbled into making music together after a chance encounter… and now they have several unique albums and a stint opening for Stereolab under their belts(!). Circle-spin your way to a place of musical whimsy with their latest tune “As Above So Below,” an uplifting jazz-pop single in advance of their new album Rong Weicknes. Weaving together both the sounds and sensibilities of jazz (read: joyful meandering) with pop stylings and a cornucopia of instruments great and small — this track could be the magical getaway you didn’t know you needed.
Ruthven – “I Can't Go There”
South-London singer Ruthven has been long-simmering, with singles dating back almost a decade. But now, the album’s on the way and this triple-take worthy track suggests great things. A natural vocalist who once worked in a firehouse and laid down tracks during his downtime between calls to help the public (🥹), Ruthven does his conjuring via R&B, jazz, and soul. Fans of artists like Chet Faker, Jordan Rakei, and Tom Misch better make room on the shelf — Rough & Ready is out October 25th.
RÜFÜS DU SOL – “Lately”
Aussie electronic powerplayers RÜFÜS DU SOL are back with their first new music in three years, following a global tour of 2021’s Surrender and an epic set of performances on Coachella’s new EDM stage, Quasar, back in April. This latest offering delivers their signature sound: sexy-cool dance music that’ll grab you by the heartstrings. Hit play for a skin-shivering blend of deep bass, club-ready beats, minor-chord melodies, and lyrical themes on Capital-L Love… you too might discover new light in familiar places.