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.
"Find Me Here" - Hayley Williams
On this hypnotizing acoustic number, Hayley Williams sings about the journeys we have to take alone.
"Steady Now" - Maggie Rogers
Accompanied by only electric guitar and drums, "Steady Now" is the most stripped-down we've heard Maggie Rogers.
"Gum" - CupcakKe
There's condoms on the song art so you know this track will be another CupcakKe classic.
"Once In A While (Mike Meets Jessie J)" - Mike Posner
Mike Posner's latest album is an ambitious rap opera exploring a troubled mind's descent into darkness. This song is from the lighter half of the project, and proves Posner's prowess at composing intriguing melodies even when there's dialogue mixed in.
"She's My Religion" - Pale Waves
Channeling Avril Lavigne-style pop-punk angst, this tune from Pale Waves builds towards a moving hook: "She's forever angry at the world, she's no angel, but she is my religion."
"The Stranger" - Dijon (feat. John C. Reilly, Becky and the Birds, Sachi, Dan Reeder, Tobias Jesso Jr.)
This woozy, folksy track from Dijon and friends has a warm and friendly aura to it.
"Slow Down" - Why Don't We
Sampling The Smashing Pumpkins' "1979," this tune from boyband Why Don't We is the ideal mix of new and old.
"Blessings" - dvsn
R&B group dvsn's holiday song "Blessings" mentions Jesus — but maybe not in the context you'd expect.
"S.L.U.T." - ppcocaine
TikTok's resident provocateur ppcocaine has eradicated slut-shaming!
"Pop Star" - Coco & Clair Clair
A whimsical, stan culture-fluent pop tune that includes this incredible line: "We on our Mariah shit, yeahhh skinny."