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.
After years of dressing up her melancholic rhymes Angel Olsen strips it all away on her new single, "Whole New Mess." The spare acoustic tune harks back to her earlier recordings of when it was just her and her guitar. Brandy's unexpected return after eight long years, in the same way, feels just as fabled. In the songs that follow, hear these two different artists craft two new beginnings. Plus, new tunes from TikTok's Curtis Waters, mxmtoon, and Jorja Smith after the jump.
"Whole New Mess" - Angel Olsen
Indie's brooding auteur returns to her roots with this spindly and raw solo single, "Whole New Mess."
"Borderline" - Brandy
A standout on Brandy's first album in 8 years, "Borderline" finds the singer wagering her inner peace over a ticking, soulful beat, her vocals still unmatched.
"By Any Means" - Jorja Smith
A sobering and powerful stance from the London singer: "By any means I will fight, for you for you."
"The feelings tend to stay the same" - Curtis Waters
TikTok darling Curtis Waters shares a bright tune reminiscing about old lovers.
"Always n Forever" - Mariah the Scientist ft. Lil Baby
Mariah the Scientist charts her upward trajectory with the effortless and smooth "Always n Forever."
"bon iver" - mxmtoon
Oakland singer-songwriter mxmtoon's clear-eyed ode to the folk-electronic titan Bon Iver feels like a distant sprout from the mother tree.
"unearth me" - Oklou
Airy synths illuminate French pop experimentalist Oklou's emotional new song, her best one yet.
"Deluxxx" - Dai Burger
Queens rapper Dai Burger perfects the summer routine on this slinky number: "Get what I want, look fine, and dip."
"July" - Sir Chloe
Echoey indie rock about a decaying summer romance from Los Angeles band Sir Chloe.
"It's All over Now, Baby Blue" - Anohni
The London-based artist, whose incisive, Obama-critiquing 2016 record garnered critical acclaim, returns with a warble-y and warm Bob Dylan cover.