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, including Salem, Tierra Whack, CL, Mod Sun, Magdalena Bay, and more. Turn up, tune in, and tune out.
"5 STAR" - CL
CL, the queen of K-Pop, makes a triumphant return with this surprisingly raunchy slow jam in which she rates her lover five stars.
"Dora" - Tierra Whack
Rap's enigmatic wunderkind Tierra Whack riffs on "Dora the Explorer" with her uncanny new single.
"No Nightmares" - Oneohtrix Point Never
It's like Enya and vaporwave had a baby on this melty, dreamy song that The Weeknd vocally guests on.
"Sears Tower" - Salem
Salem's "Sears Tower" truly sounds like what would soundtrack the primordial fight between good and evil: overwhelming, melodic chaos.
"Crash" - Nilüfer Yanya
London rocker Nilüfer Yanya's new song feels like a frenzied pressure-cooker of guitar that's about to burst all while she warns: "If you ask me one more question..."
"Started Again" - This Is The Kit
Paris-based This Is The Kit has a knack for spinning meandering, intricate melodies with their gentle folk, and "Started Again" is a perfect example.
"Drama" - bladee & Mechatok
Cult favorite Bladee teams up with his Berlin-based peer Mechatok for this industrial, trap-inflected new single.
"Karma" - MOD SUN
The pop-punk from your high school days is back, and this buoyant number from Mod Sun is the perfect track to relive it.
"Sky2Fall" - Magdalena Bay
The quietly rising synth-pop duo Magdalena Bay go crazy with cyber-sparkles on their clubby, Y2K-leaning new track, "Sky2Fall."
"Guts" - Payday
A sweet lil' love song for the love-avoidant, courtesy of young new artist, Payday.