Photos courtesy of Kelsey Lu, Wade Muir, Piper Kennedy
Each week, The FADER staff rounds up the songs we can't get enough of. Here they are, in no particular order.
Spotify and Apple Music playlists, or hear them all below.
Daine, “PQC”
“Laptop twee?” Sunshine sleaze? It’s hard to define Australian popstar daine’s new single “PQC” which is as catchy as a children’s tune and as dancey as any electroclash banger. All I know is it’s special, and strange. — Tobias Hess
honestav & mgk, “Crash First”
honestav makes me want to destroy the part of myself that finds anything cringe. The Missouri singer’s spin on altrock reconfigures the Southern pain rap of NoCap and Rylo Rodriguez into something closer to a visceral form of pop punk. Even the typically cocksure mgk feels solemnly grounded here — at least until the beat switch. — Vivian Medithi
Kelsey Lu, “American Sonnet”
Eight harrowing but utterly beautiful minutes of Kelsey Lu digging up the rotted roots that undergird America; vivid images of twisted limbs, red gushing volcanos, and endless tombs flash alongside spare piano and her own wavering but resilient voice. —Steffanee Wang
Lô Borges, “Marcha Lenta”
Lô Borges, the renowned Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his poetic lyricism and melodic innovation, sadly passed away last year. “Marcha Lenta” is one of the richest tracks found on his posthumous album A Estrada. Its sun-baked melody massages the brain and has already been the soundtrack to many of my summer strolls this week. — Drew Neiman
Beverly Glenn-Copeland, “Light Of The Heavens”
Released 40 years after its recording, this hidden gem from right after Glenn-Copeland’s rediscovered masterwork, Keyboard Fantasies, features the Canadian artist’s signature ethereal, repeated harmonic refrains and soaring, soulful voice. It’s music that will inspire spiritualism in even the most heartless. — TH
Armani West, “basketball”
Did Armani West just make the perfect Jerk song for the summer? Following the viral success of last year’s “Piano Tiles,” the ultra-deep-fried “Basketball” is an ass-shaking cacophony that could turn up any dancefloor. — VM
Fousheé, “Drive”
Fousheé, Ice Age’s Elias Rønnenfelt, and deBasement’s Alli Logout coming together on an uptempo rock crooner is my kind of recipe. On “Drive,” Fousheé’s vocal delivery and melody is breezy, but Rønnenfelt’s guitar-driven production is as weighty as a liquor soaked stupor. — TH
Jaeychino, “AKEELAH”
“Im proud of the man I became,” Jaey raps over a bobbing trap beat and soft piano melody. “AKEELAH,” like much of his new album IF YOU KNEW, sees Jaey reflecting heavily on family and friends. It’s a sweet track with a warm spirit. — DN