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.
Duckwrth – “Had Enough”
Another drink? May we offer you a track about being overserved instead? LA son Duckwrth (Jared Lee) landed hard on the 2010s music scene with serious bars, Prince-inspired moves, unique drip, and tracks about some of our favorite neighborhoods. We're beyond stoked to get this new track from Lee, because damn it’s super good. Instrumental funk, layered vocals, provocative lyrics, psychedelic keys, and an attention-grabbing staccato approach to the chorus make this one an immediate playlist add.
Yola – “Future Enemies”
YOLAAA! We’ve been big fans of the powerhouse singer since she played our SXSW show way back in 2019. A Brit who grew up loving American country music, Yola’s natural born talent as a vocalist has been known to induce full-body-shivers. “Future Enemies” is a defiant, bold, and ‘80s-tinged statement piece of a single. We’d never wish an enemy on anyone, but this track’s your cut-em-off soundtrack if you need one.
Nemahsis – “Spinning Plates”
It’s officially Fall, y'all. Time to throw off the frivolity of summer in favor of deeper thoughts, so allow us to introduce you to Nemahsis. The Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter (given name Nemah Hasan) makes music that works hand-in-glove with her activism around her place-of-origin: the occupied West Bank of Gaza. Featuring vocals that suggest something between a teenage sleepover where all of the secrets are shared, and a religious confessional paired with hauntingly spare production — this track from the freshly released LP Verbathim makes Nemahsis one to watch.
Katie Gavin – “Casual Drug Use”
This roadtrip track from singer-songwriter Katie Gavin embodies the inventive take on American folk-rock that’s having a moment in music right now. Think: contemporary themes and Gen-Z vibes injected into a folk-country-rock foundation. Click play for mystery substances, thrift-store fits, and Super 8 stylistics. Plus, Gavin’s country-inflected vocals and satisfying guitar strums will carry you all the way through the desert and back to the beaches of LA.
JOBA – “Gospel of the Moon”
Here’s one for your personal Sunday Service. BROCKHAMPTON member Russell Boring has broken out as JOBA with a single suggesting a powerful solo presence in both performance and production. Layered piano keys and soft chorales support a spotlit vocal track, where JOBA expresses everything on the human spectrum from longing, to rage, to ecstatic joy. Embark on the journey of this stellar track, where you end up may surprise you.
