Check out M.I.A.’s Apple Music exclusive, Lana Del Ray, and more in our 5 songs to stream

M.I.A. – Swords

Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. could have opted to become a pop sensation after Paper Planes flew up the charts in 2008. But she’s never really tried to chase that success. M.I.A. pops up on the charts every now and then, and maintains a strong pulse on the indie radar, but she keeps busy by visiting her homeland and actively giving back with her philanthropic efforts.

What has always been undeniable, though, is that M.I.A. is an incredible artist. She returns with a preview of her upcoming album Matahdatah, which is an Apple Music exclusive, that shows off a new track called Swords. Still armed with her distinct sound and worldly influences, M.I.A. doesn’t miss a beat, as the thumping bass kicks in at the start of Swords. It’s made all the better with the impressive visuals she’s put together to showcase the song, which is accompanied in the video by the track Warriors off her last album.

Lana Del Rey – Honeymoon

“Indie darling” is a phrase that has probably been used too many times to describe Lana Del Rey, but when the shoe fits… Del Rey blew up the charts with her sophomore album Born to Die, and 2014’s Ultraviolence followed in its successful footsteps. With some quick turnaround, she’s already gearing up to drop another record later this year. The title track and first single Honeymoon has the New York singer crooning and scatting over a slow, string-heavy backing.

Youth Lagoon – The Knower

Trevor Powers started making music under the moniker Youth Lagoon in 2010. Under the mask of a new identity, he’s been able to explore emotions in a weightless way. His music tends to have an airy, floating quality. With his new album Savage Hills Ballroom on deck for later this year, he’s taking the opportunity to dig into some darker themes atop the lighter sound. The end result is a creeping sense of bittersweet melancholy — No matter how sugary sweet the music.

Tame Impala – Let It Happen

Australian rockers Tame Impala have been turning the charts a psychedelic shade with their recent ascent to the top of peoples’ playlists. Now gearing up for their third studio release with Currents, the collective has returned and is sparing no experimentation on the single Let It Happen. With no lead guitar, a disco-era backtrack, and an eight-minute runtime, it goes against every bit of conventional knowledge about singles. And yet, it works.

White Reaper – Make Me Wanna Die

Louisville punk rockers White Reaper are a wild bunch. Sometimes it’s hard to capture the true sound of punk as it comes across on stage with sweat flying and guitars screeching. But this group does its best to catch that essence in record form for their debut album White Reaper Does it Again. The lead track Make Me Wanna Die may have a less than uplifting title, but the funky power-pop vibe it has makes it more fun than you’d imagine.