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.
Sleater Kinney – "Hell”
Original Riot Grrrls and leaders among the American punk/alt/indie rock scenes Sleater Kinney are back with a killer new single designed to rock you right down to your bones. Expertly alternating between sparely produced, melancholic verses and an earth-shaking chorus, this punk-rock rumination on self-inflicted misery is an undeniable sonic force. Miranda July stars in the B&W arthouse video, her signature freeform dancing vacillating between ecstatic and rageful. Discretion advised — some parts are NSFW.
More: Get Into This: The Linda Lindas’ Riot Grrrl inspo
Cherry Glazerr – “Bad Habit”
Ok, we here at KCRW are a little biased, but it’s plain to see that Cherry Glazerr’s got it. The LA band and their enigmatic frontwoman Clementine Creevy have evolved from their roots in lo-fi garage rock (which was excellent) to playing with sounds in pop-punk, electronic, and dance music, and this latest single from the brand-spankin’ new record I Don’t Want You Anymore (ouch) is proof they can do it all. With a chilled-out dance beat, heavy-lidded vocals, and ear-catching electronic flourishes that hit like a dopamine rush, it’s one bad habit you won’t have to quit. LA folks: catch Clem live this week as our special guest DJ on Monday, October 9 at KCRW’s School Night.
Blondshell – “Sepsis”
Revive your inner moody teen with this ‘90s-influenced single from shoegaze troubadour Blondshell. “Sepsis” sees her backed by an excellent all-analog band featuring fuzzy guitars, languid drums, and a flannel ‘n’ overalls style that’ll have you aching to hang out in the basement. Be aware: Sabrina Teitelbaum’s deeply relatable lyricism may put you in a certain kinda mood about an ex or current flame that you just can’t shake.
María José Llergo – “Superpoder”
Listo? Get supercharged with this pulsating powerplay from Spanish songstress María José Llergo. The Barcelona-based, Andalusian-born singer is stepping into her power as one of Spain’s hottest voices, following the release of her first EP in 2020 and landing a win for Best Original Song at Spain’s Goya Awards last year. This latest single features her highly-developed, crystal-clear vocals soaring over a raw n’ ready mix of menacing beats, synths, and samples. Add in the effect of a flaming-hot music video, and this track simply won’t be ignored.
Ilsey – “No California”
We love to bring you the best of what's new, and this track’s the hottest pancake in the stack — out now as part of Ilsey’s debut LP From The Valley (previewed as part of the inaugural edition of School Night). Ilsey Juber, daughter of Paul McCartney and Wings’ guitarist Laurence Juber, has been active in music since 2008, building quite a roster of behind-the-scenes contributions as a songwriter and vocalist for hits with Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Mark Ronson, Lykkie Li, and tons more. But this single stands firmly on its own, a bountiful blend of folk, pop, and country that proves her years of experience and musical prowess. Plus: California love, baby.