Mark Peaced

Entertainment

Soundcheck: The 10 Best Music Releases The Week Of May 18, 2020

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. Turn up, tune in, and tune out.

Australia's latest musical export is Tkay Maidza, and she is a force to be reckoned with. Watching the singer, songwriter, and rapper perform in an abandoned car lot in her newest song "Shook" is like getting a glimpse of the future. You can see where TLC and Missy Elliott collide, but Maidza has remixed everything up so it feels — and sounds — new. It's why we think her new song deserves a spin this week, along with nine other tracks that caught our attention.

Like the gritty confessionals from Finland's resident rebel pop star ALMA, who dropped her ambitious debut album, Have U Seen Her? And Perfume Genius' stunning new album, which paints a potent picture of the human condition. Plus, joyous chanting from Japan's CHAI, and space-y jazz from NYC's cult favorite Standing On The Corner.

All of this, and more, after the jump.

"Shook" - Tkay Maidza

Australia's Tkay Maidza is rap's freshest new act.

4AD

"King Of The Castle" - ALMA

Finland's pop rebel gets vulnerable on this punky pop cut.

RCA Records

"Without You" - Perfume Genius

Delightful instrumentals, which seem to have a life of their own, make this Perfume Genius cut irresistible.

Matador Records

"Bitter" - FLETCHER

A sticky pop number for those bad-but-good flings.

Capitol Records

"495" - IDK ft. Rico Nasty, YungManny, Big Flock, Big Jam, Weensey

The DMV condensed into one high-octane, spirited track.

Warner Records

"Young & Sad" - Noah Cyrus

The younger Cyrus' country ballad answer to LDR's "Young & Beautiful."

Columbia Records

"Ready Cheeky Pretty" - CHAI

One can't help but smile listening to this one.

Courtesy of CHAI

"Clutch" - Col3trane, Kiana Ledé

Col3trane and Kiana Ledé trade smokey verses over a beguiling dancehall beat.

Interscope Records

"do you light up?" - Dijon

Music to listen to during a thunderstorm.

R+R, Warner Records

"Angel" - Standing On The Corner

If E.T. ever tried his hand at jazz.

Standing On The Corner
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