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.
Love Spells – “Reach Out And Kiss Me”
Meet Love Spells, and prepare to fall right under one. This dreamy romantic bedroom pop is a dose of unfiltered young love: all whispery vocals, big professions, and sweet strums. Sir Taegen Harris, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter-producer, is the sole artist behind the dreamy project. For 100 percent romanticism, don’t miss the day-out montage video that’ll have you swooning and starry-eyed. — AK
Momma – “I Want You (Fever)”
Rugged and ready, this track is a declaration: “Pick up and leave her, I want you… fever.” Momma are the band, a two-some who recently re-emerged as a four-top to flesh out their satisfyingly hard sound in the bass and drums. It’s always good to have new indie/alt-rock in the rotation and this track hits all the right chords. — AK
CMAT – “Running / Planning”
If you weren’t prepared for the words “Irish Country Pop Superstar” to cross your desk, we get it. This was us recently, but then we heard the gorgeous pedal-steel sweep of CMAT’s “Running / Planning.” Part Mazzy Star-esque melancholic dreamgaze, part feminist manifesto — “Running / Planning” should take up permanent residence on any of your playlists that include the word “anthemic.” And keep an eye out for CMAT’s forthcoming LP EURO-COUNTRY, due Aug. 29 via AWAL. — MH
Moontype – “Four Hands ii”
Come out to the gig(!). Moontype are exactly the sort you’d expect to find playing live at the corner bar, and you can also expect it to be a whole vibe. Making indie rock for your more thoughtful mornings, afternoons, and evenings — Moontype are clearly a trio of IRL friends. Signs of their connection shine through the production, which is casually excellent. Enjoy vocalist Margaret McCarthy as a modern-day Nico, eyes downcast and register nicely un-pushed. — AK
elijah jamal asani – “thirtyonecircles /// soft shoulder(s) confluence near second mesa”
Upgrade your daily meditation with this outstanding soundscape track from elijah jamal asani, who describes his music as “an invitation to slow down.” That’s accurate, but we’d call the eight-minute incantation more of a call to prayer, a siren song, an undeniable force. If you’re in a rough patch, you’ll be grateful for this one. — AK