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.
“Fall In Love At Christmas” - Mariah Carey, Khalid, Kirk Franklin
Late capitalism may have the holiday season beginning earlier every year, but we’ll pause our complaining if that means we get a new Mariah Carey Christmas bop to put on repeat.
“Unloyal” - Summer Walker ft. Ari Lennox
Summer Walker and Ari Lennox swap smokey verses about leaving ungrateful men on this undulating jazzy tune that may be one of the strongest R&B collaborations of 2021.
“New Shapes” - Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek, Christine and the Queens
A bouncy and breezy pop storm by the genre’s preeminent sonic chameleons; it hits like a jolt of caffeine injected directly into the veins.
“Glory” - Snail Mail
The shortest song on Snail Mail’s excellent new album Valentine, “Glory” is light and gleaming, even as she’s singing about getting high in hotel rooms and the barbs of a relationship.
“Bad Life” - Omar Apollo, Kali Uchis
Omar Apollo is at his most soulful on this softly glowing alt-R&B tune that feels like a curious branch off Frank Ocean’s sonic palette. Kali Uchis joins him on a magical-sounding second verse.
“Superstar” - Beach House
Dream-pop’s most dutiful duo Beach House has announced a new album. “Superstar,” one of four new singles, is a sparkling fog of synths and shimmering sounds, proving they’ve still got the touch.
“Stupid Boy” - Slayyyter, Big Freedia
Slayyyter’s new dance-pop single “Stupid Boy” with Big Freedia doesn’t get any deeper than that, and we’re 100 percent grateful for it.
“Soufside” - Latto
Latto proudly reps south side Atlanta on her nimble and fully loaded new single “Soufside” from her upcoming and currently untitled album.
“Talk Down” - Dijon
Dijon’s raw and resonant voice is pushed into a new dimension against the jingling, upbeat production of “Talk Down,” an exceptional song from his new album Absolutely.
“Ivy” - Indigo De Souza
After a sweet-sounding intro, Indigo De Souza’s stunning cover of Frank Ocean’s “Ivy” grows legs and morphs into a tender and pulsing wave of nostalgia.