Soundcheck: The 16 Best Music Releases Of The Week

Every weekend, we bring you #SOUNDCHECK—your new destination for the best of 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 round features 16 of our favorite emerging and established artists including Junglepussy, Blood Orange, and so many more. Turn up, tune in, and tune out.

"State of the Union" - Junglepussy

Attention! Attention! We have a new State of the Union address. Nothing but respect for OUR president, Junglepussy.

"Christopher & 6th" & "June 12th" - Blood Orange

Blood Orange gifted us with two trippy, lo-fi hits in honor of Black History Month, and we couldn't ask to ring in this glorious time in a better way. 

"Open Invite" - Prince Fox

It's February, but Prince Fox's latest has us dreaming up summer parties. You don't need to tell us to "come through" twice with a drop as moving as "Open Invite" has.

"Thanks 4 Nothing" - Nilüfer Yanya 

Finally, a music video that speaks to the witch in our hearts.

Break Apart - Tenderfoot

Do yourself a favor and take some time to sit with Tenderfoot's new album. It's an album that forces you to ask yourself the big questions, to reflect, and to rebuild. Dreamy doesn't even cut it when describing their sound.

Black Panther Soundtrack - Kendrick Lamar

At long last, the Black Panther soundtrack is here and it's as glorious as the film's near-perfect reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Lamar handled this record as one of his own and it shows—it's tenderly treated with a mix of club-ready hits and laid-back feels that'll get you even more pumped for the film's release next week. 

"Leave Me Now" - Devault

This SoCal producer has more tricks up his sleeve than "Leave Me Now" suggests, but my god are the tricks he plays here transcendent. 

Only Having A Laugh - Isabelle Brown

Not to play the age card, but at just 14-years-old, Isabelle Brown has a sound that's bursting with the soul of a seasoned woman. Friends, we have a prodigy on our hands.

"Volcanic Love" - The Aces

Another week, another pitch-perfect love song from The Aces. The vibes are strong with this one.

"Bad Fun" - courtship.

For a song called "Bad Fun," courtship. certainly knows how to make a fun video.

"Ode to Joe" - Wetware

On a darker, but necessary note, the Brooklyn band Wetware released their sophomore album this week on Dais Records. The modular synth is intricate and subtly complex like the early avant garde British band Throbbing Gristle. They really come into their own on the fourth track "Ode to Joy" which has a calculated restraint.  

"Wild Horses" - Ekaruz

Now this is how you make a debut. Ekaruz is the fast-rising duo about to take over all your playlists with their wonky, warbled take on anthemic electronic pop.

"Kiss Me Now" - UPSAHL

Valentine's Day is coming; do you have someone to kiss? Regardless, here's a musical one just for you. 

"Blue Angel (feat. Clairo)" - Danny L Harle

Even Danny L Harle's sadder songs are huge. Huge, Danny! Huge!

"Don't Wanna Know" - RIVVRS

Don't let that cosmic album art fool ya. RIVVRS' packs a homegrown grit that's grounded in rock and the blues and man, does he make it well.

"Doing Better" - Jamie Isaac

Rising artist Jamie Isaac makes music for the soul. And you'll be remiss if you don't indulge in his new downtempo track. Thank us later.