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.
Summer has ended, fall is here, and SZA has returned. As the patron saint of late night texters, the singer's re-emergence is, gratefully, a timely one. Her latest, "Hit Different" with Ty Dolla $ign, might as well be the only song we'll spin all quarter, savoring its hypnotic beat and searing lyrics. Catch it alongside a new sweet tune from Curtis Waters, and a staggering Laura Stevenson reissue for NYLON's music picks this week, after the jump.
"Hit Different" - SZA
Even after a three-year absence, SZA's skill for speaking to the matters of the heart is as sharp as ever.
"Freckles" - Curtis Waters
Curtis Waters descends with another bass-blasting tune, this one a sweet ode to the freckles on someone's face.
"Black Light" - BUMPER
Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner teamed up with Crying's Ryan Galloway for a retro pop-tune full of longing.
"I See Dark - Demo" - Laura Stevenson
A Sit Resist reissue brings forth a raw and mighty demo-version of Stevenson's album closer.
"Queen Kong" - LightSkinKeisha
If you're in need of some motivation, put on this no-sh*ts-given track courtesy of LightSkinKeisha.
"Walking Flames" - Actress, Sampha
Soft static, piano, and disjointed Sampha vocals collide on this dream-like tune.
"Come Over" - VanJess
Nigerian sister duo VanJess beckon their lovers over with this groovy, R&B tune.
"Pieces" - Navvy
This vibrant pop song from young New Zealand-based singer Navvy is enough to keep her on your radar.
"A Different Time" - Fauzia
A contemplative, experimental track from Discwoman member and London DJ Fauzia.
"Hold It Down" - Dear Nora
A delicate new folk song from beloved cult indie-pop group Dear Nora, for their forthcoming Three States reissue.