Soundcheck: The 17 Best Music Releases Of The Week

Every weekend, we bring you #SOUNDCHECK—your new destination for the best of the best new music that hit the web over the course of the week. Because you should always be prepared when someone passes you that AUX cord. This week’s round features 17 of our favorite emerging and established artists including BØRNS, Kali Uchis and so many more. Turn up, tune in, and tune out.

Blue Madonna - BØRNS

Garrett Borns—aka BØRNS—returns with a sophomore album that's as mystical as it is grounded. With Lana Del Rey collaborations and a sweet, sweet falsetto, BØRNS' latest tackles love's purpose in life in ways that feel attainable and yet magically aspirational.

"Take It" - Lever and Beam

Fans of LCD Soundsystem or Thundercat will definitely appreciate this buzzy little tune from Lever and Beam. 

"Connected By Love" - Jack White

Jack White's latest visual is a reminder to let go of all those small, frustrating things in life and focus on the one thing we all need: love. 

"PARAD(w/m)E" - Sylvan Esso

"Now it's always summertime," Amelia Meath sings on Sylvan Esso's surprise new single. This song's got a buoyancy that has the capability of lifting you up, out of even the most dismal winter blues. Just another reason why Sylvan Esso is one of the most exciting electronic acts in the game. P-A-R-A-D with them now.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Your True Name" - The Radio Dept.

The atmospherics on The Radio Dept.'s new single are lush and calm. This is how you set a mood. This is how you soundtrack your day.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Somebody Special" - Nina Nesbitt

You ever meet someone who has the ability to make even the most mundane experiences feel extraordinary? Nina Nesbitt certainly has, and put her love for them into a song that works as your new BFF or romantic anthem.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}Stay Off My Mind EP - Skott

Skott's haunting days have transformed into those of lightness and airiness. Though much of the music itself is decidedly less dark than her previous songs, the lyrics still cut deep. This is an EP for learning how to grow up, learn, and move on.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Let Me Down (feat. Stormzy)" - Jorja Smith

Who said piano ballads were boring? Certainly not us! But if you still have your reservations about the genre, let this new Jorja Smith and Stormzy tune change your mind. We promise it'll take you to soaring new heights.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"After the Storm (feat. Bootsy Collins and Tyler, the Creator)" - Kali Uchis

Uchis steps away from her signature dream-pop sound and into the smooth and all-encompassing world of funk with this Tyler, the Creator and Bootsy Collins-assisted track. Groove on. 

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"California Daze" - Jenny March

The world needed a new bubbly California anthem, and newcomer Jenny March is here to give it to ya. Just you wait: This is a pop song you'll be hearing well into the warmer months.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Crisis Fest" - Sunflower Bean

If you were planning a road trip any time soon, you'll want to add this beachy new Sunflower Bean tune to your traveling playlist. Make sure you press play just as the sun begins to set. 

"Gold" - Rayvon Owen

Let this shimmering electro-pop gem add some color to the gloomy weekend weather. 

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Can You Touch" - Elley Duhé

Elley Duhé casually announced her return with an easy, breezy "im backkkkk..." tweet. And back she is! "Can You Touch" has soul and rhythm that'll transport you to another galaxy. That synth bass line? C'mon!

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"We Choose" - Her

The phoenix always rises from the ashes. Her's video for their chilling song of empowerment is a metaphor for that very idea. Inventive, transcendent, and utterly captivating, this is one of the best videos to drop so far this year.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Song For You" - RHYE

The soul of RHYE shines in the latest song from their forthcoming BLOOD LP. This is what it sounds like when two bodies come together and make love.

td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}"Spotlight" - Marshmello x Lil Peep

Lil Peep's mom has kept her promise to continue releasing the work her late son was sitting on before he died last year. "Spotlight" marries Peep's emo-rap vibe with Marshmello's trap house. It's easy to think Man, what else could they have done together? but let's, instead, celebrate the fact that we have this song to commemorate Peep with.

"Gold Jacket, Green Jacket..." - Senses Fail

Well, Senses Fail nailed the Millennial Struggle™. From being in debt to antidepressants, to antidisestablishmentarianism and the echo chamber of our social feeds, Senses Fail is speaking to their generation without any filter.