Reggae singer, songwriter, rapper, DJ and a guitarist Koffee posing in a colorful combination.
Nwaka Okparaeke
by Steffanee Wang

Entertainment

Soundcheck: The 10 Best Music Releases The Week Of February 7, 2022

Soundcheck

Every week, we bring you #SOUNDCHECK — your destination for 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 roundup features 10 of our favorite emerging and established artists.

“Softly” - Arlo Parks

Over a gentle, shuffling beat, Arlo Parks sings so sweetly about getting her heart broken that you don’t even register the pain until a few listens in. (YouTube)

“Saoko” - Rosalía

Rosalía continues to prove her sonic versatility, this time by delivering a growling, deconstructed reggaeton banger complete with a brief jazz interlude. (YouTube)

“Pull Up” - Koffee

Jamaica’s wunderkind Koffee flexes a garage full of cars on this breezy and laidback tune about good fortune that can’t help but rub off on you, too. (YouTube)

Epitaph Records
“Growing Up” - The Linda Lindas

The sensational Linda Lindas share a rollicking rock anthem about growing up — but their outlook on the phase is wholesome, magical, and totally in service to friendship. (YouTube)

Bodysync
“Body” - Bodysync, Ryan Hemsworth, Giraffage, Tinashe

Ryan Hemsworth and Giraffage, the two producers behind Bodysync, are making some of the most intoxicating club music right now. Their latest, “Body,” is a sparkling and thudding gem that Tinashe glides effortlessly over. (YouTube)

Matador
“Kissing Lessons” - Lucy Dacus

More memoirist than songwriter, Lucy Dacus tenderly remembers her first kiss with a childhood friend on this warm guitar ode. (YouTube)

C.T. Robert
“Still” - Saba, 6LACK, Smino

Saba, one of Chicago’s brightest rappers, meditates on the old adage “the more things change, the more things stay the same” on “Still,” an elegant, lyrical track. (YouTube)

Felice Trinidad
“Silver Into Rain” - Luna Li, Beabadoobee

Misty, starry-eyed dream-pop by viral sensation Luna Li (and an assist from Beabadoobee) that erupts into a restorative storm in its second half. (YouTube)

Kat Neisler
“Your Love” - Mallrat

Mallrat reinvigorates the tired pop-trap genre with “Your Love,” a pink shellac summertime anthem that feels simultaneously familiar and brand new. (YouTube)

Young
“In-Between and Overseas” - Sampha

Beloved London crooner Sampha still isn’t back, but he dropped off two previously unavailable tracks from Process last week, including this sunrise of a love song. (YouTube)