Every week, there are thousands of new songs hitting the airwaves — and it’s just too much for your two ears to handle. With all those options, you can’t be wasting your time on tracks that deserve a thumbs-down click.
But don’t worry, we’re going to save you the hassle. We listen to some of the most-hyped and interesting songs each week, and tell you which are worthy of your precious listening time.
Here are our top five songs to stream this week. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Spotify page for a playlist of our weekly picks, which can also be found at the bottom of this post.
Laura Marling — Nothing, Not Nearly
The latest song from British songwriter Laura Marling’s upcoming album Semper Femina features the skillful touch of Alabama Shakes producer Blake Mills. A simple 6/8 beat underlays this folky number, with rambling and poetic lyrics and a dirty electric guitar center in the middle. Like much of Marling’s catalog, this one is simple and subtle, the kind of thing you’ll come back to time and time again.
Ryan Adams — Streets of Philadelphia
On a recent trip to the U.K. to promote his latest album, Prisoner, Americana songwriter Ryan Adams shared a solo acoustic version of Bruce Springsteen’s Streets of Philadelphia on BBC radio, eschewing the heavily produced synth tones of the original in favor of simple vocal melodies.
Cadence Weapon — My Crew (Wooo) (Produced by Kaytranada)
Two Polaris Prize winners join forces on My Crew (Wooo), where a space-like beat from Canadian producer extraordinaire Kaytranada pairs with the quick-spitting style of rapper Cadence Weapon. The trap influence is apparent throughout the slow-rolling track, but the duo still manage to keep the song a bit higher brow than the genre’s typical fare, forming a song that’s suited to both deep listening and the dance floor.
Beach Fossils — This Year
Beautiful string melodies join acoustic guitars and a simple drum beat on the latest song from Brooklyn’s Beach Fossils. This one feels like a long lost Real Estate single — the kind of song that makes you want to put on your jogging shorts and run around in the cold spring air.
Hot 8 Brass Band — Can’t Nobody Get Down
New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band made a special appearance on California’s KCRW radio this week, celebrating Fat Tuesday with a rash of high-energy second-line music. On Can’t Nobody Get Down, the energy in the room jumps through the screen, raising your spirit to full-on New Orleans party mode. All that’s missing is a tall, cool drink.
That’s it for now, but tune in next week for more tunes — and check out the playlist loaded with our recent selections below:
