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.
Pale Jay – “The Garden”
Find your peace with this indie-soul single from pianist, singer, and mystery man Pale Jay, who asks — in so many words — that you kindly “Keep Out.” Vintage-hued organ chords and Latin beats infuse this soulful R&B track with a sense of impending… something. And tbh, we get it. That pinch of inscrutability and that certain shifty-eyed persuasion is only appropriate when speaking of secret gardens, especially those kept by an artist who doesn't want you to see his face. Fair enough, the track is fire and it needs no further embellishments.
Pale Waves – “Glasgow”
Feeling stuck in the third act? Click play for the sonic crescendo of your personal plotline in this pop-rock track from English four-top Pale Waves. The band carries on their well-formed habit of offering ‘80s-tinged big-sound structures and stylings, presented with the clarity and earnestness of early ‘00s pop smashes. Featuring lyrics about the power of moving on, a runaway bride video, and layers of high-reverb guitars and synths — this is the musical catharsis you’ve been seeking.
Girl Ultra – “bruce willisss”
Mexico’s hyper-cool vocal stunner Girl Ultra presents a power-packed club track that wouldn’t be out of place scoring a video game. It harnesses the kind of high-stim energy you’d need to beat the level and infuses it with narrative purpose thanks to dominant, get-there-quick vocals. It’s the latest from her freshly released EP blush, a collection of tracks she says reflect the energy of “today’s youth.” An artist’s statement achieved (by our estimation). Plus, who doesn't love Bruce?
Kim Deal – “Coast”
Babe, wake up, Kim Deal’s got new music out. The legendary musician and vocalist, who held original tenure with the Pixies and led The Breeders, arrives all over again with her first solo music in over a decade. And if this upbeat track is to be believed, she’s feelin’ pretty damn good about it. With strum-along guitars, warm horns, and vocals that sound distinctly smiley, this track’s simply a good hang.
José James – “Saturday (Need You Now)”
Amp-up your summer groove with multi-talented artist José James’ celebrating the peak of the weekend, Live from KCRW HQ. The accomplished musician dropped by the Annenberg Performance Studio to deliver a dy-no-mite(!) set of tracks from his latest album, 1978, wherein his talent for effortlessly blending his jazz expertise with hip-hop sensibilities is on full display. Click this one for an upbeat fusion track that’ll get you on your feet. And watch this space, José James: KCRW Live From HQ drops in its entirety on Thursday, July 18th.