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.
There are countless, existing songs titled "Rockstar," but only one is worth putting on repeat. That may be a slight exaggeration, but Mallrat's new single, "Rockstar," is the grungy, plasticky-sheen pop song that we've had in our heads all week. Alongside the retro-leaning bop "Stepping On N*ggas" by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin — which featured on Rico Nasty's Insta — and many more bangers after the jump, here are the tracks you need to know right now.
"Not Another Love Song" - Ella Mai
Ella Mai matures on the glossy and confessional new track "Not Another Love Song."
"Stepping On N*ggas" - 21 Savage, Metro Boomin
Go the Rico Nasty route and blast this throwback-sounding bop while wearing sky-high platforms.
"Rockstar" - Mallrat
Australian wunderkind Mallrat goes glossy-grunge on her new track "Rockstar," which sounds like the sweetest daydream you've ever had.
"Lifetime" - Romy
The xx's Romy Madley Croft cranks up the energy on her first solo single, the Eurodance-inspired "Lifetime."
"Before I Got Here" - Palberta
NYC trio Palberta's special brand of popified, DIY rock gleefully runs all over the place on their latest, "Before I Got Here."
"Winona" - Miloe
Newcomer Miloe's debut song is a bright, shoegaze delight.
"Unbound" - MICHELLE
This glittery, soulful track courtesy of sextet MICHELLE gives major '00s vibes.
"Little" - Cookii
Cookii's squeaky clean PC-adjacent pop is as polished and enigmatic as their social media presence.
"White Space" - Sola
London-based singer Sola entrances on her new EP, a heady twist of R&B and electronic.
"WhoAreYou" - BEBELUNA
Gritty and atmospheric alt-R&B looms large on BBEBLUNA's mesmerizing new track.