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.
Róisín Murphy – “Fader”
Get your sun hat and your lawn chair and grab a spot for the Hit Parade, the aptly titled new album from Irish singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy on the way, whose standout single is setting the celebratory tone just right. With soaring horns and a vintage hip-hop beat rounding out Murphy’s distinguishable vocal style (if you don’t know her, it’ll have you looking twice). This track, and its block party music video, will guide the way to a lifetime of feelin’ good.
Slowdive – “kisses”
Embrace your moodiness with this dreamy shoegaze track from UK longstanders Slowdive. Replete with long, deep reverb on bright-n-shiny guitar plucks and vocals that echo down an endless emotional porthole, this one’s a perfect fit for that certain playlist you reach for when nothing else will do. Paired with a video featuring your proxy as the lover of a mysterious European secret agent on a motorbike, this single’s got your future fantasies on lock.
Beck & Phoenix – “Odyssey”
Ever introduced two of your favorite people and watched them fall in love? This isn’t quite that, but it ain’t far, either — KCRW legacy artist Beck has teamed up with longtime faves Phoenix for the poolside jam of your summertime dreams. With big-pop production, layered yeah-yeahs, and electronic flourishes designed to ping you right in the dopamine receptors, this track is a neon-hued journey to planet goodtime. It indeed lives up to its name — get on board and LFG!
Aphex Twin – “Blackbox Life Recorder 21f”
It’s been a long five years since we last heard from Richard D. James, reluctant leader of Intelligent Dance Music and all-around musical iconoclast. As a rule, Aphex Twin tracks are challenging, sometimes dissonant, and always disdainful of the status quo. And this triumphant return contains plenty of his founding creative DNA: modded vocals, foreboding synths, and BPM changeups that’ll give you whiplash — all in a somehow easier package. This track will surely rack up the streams due to its relative listenability, much like 1999’s “Windowlicker.” Looking for a brush-up on Aphex Twin? This video essay is a stellar choice.
BAMBII – “One Touch”
Need some energy for your weekend? This fast ‘n’ furious club track is here to deliver. It’s loaded with all the best ingredients for a healthy serving of rave soup: mega synths, drum ‘n’ bass beats, jungle vibes, and a dash of dancehall to bring that extra heat. This track has chapters, with a fresh adventure around the corners of every breakbeat and brief water-break lull.
Hailing from Toronto, Bambii is a DJ and producer to watch, keeping the club scene extra juiced with tracks that demand full-body attention. Turn the lights off, set this one on loop, and lose your mind to an eternal private after hours.