Entertainment
In a special “there’s too much good music not to” edition of Soundcheck.
Welcome to a special Friday edition of SOUNDCHECK — your destination for the best new music that hit the web on June 7. Because you should always be prepared when someone passes you that AUX cord. This week's roundup features nine of our favorite emerging and established artists.
“Girl, so confusing” - Charli XCX
Brat has been one of the most anticipated releases of the summer, and it’s almost wrong to choose one standout song from the bunch. Allow us to turn your focus to “Girl, so confusing,” a song about the music business. On the Las Culturistas podcast, Charli XCX explained that the song is a diss track about a specific music-industry peer and that she is still debating whether to name names.
“Please Please Please” - Sabrina Carpenter
This dramatic, country-inflected ballad could easily accommodate a Chappell Roan feature in a few weeks, but for now, we’re content to watch the accompanying video starring Carpenter and her boyfriend Barry Keoghan.
“Snap My Finger” - Kaytranada featuring PinkPantheress
You should listen to the entirety of Kaytranada’s new album Timeless, which includes tracks like “Witchy” featuring Childish Gambino, but this synth-y collab with PinkPantheress will probably earn the most playbacks.
“Sunday Service” - Latto featuring Megan Thee Stallion & Flo Milli Remix
The rap trio gave us friend-group envy earlier this week when footage of the rappers dance-battling backstage was posted on Twitter. Little did we know that they were working on this raucous follow-up remix of Latto’s latest release.
“Coming Home” - beabadoobee
Ahead of the August 17 release of her Rick Rubin-produced album This is How Tomorrow Moves, beabadoodee released “Coming Home,” the album’s second single after “Take A Bite.” Weird, heartfelt, and true-to-her as ever, she shows us why she is still an artist to watch.
“Genesis” - Raye
Clocking in at seven minutes, “Genesis” is the British vocalist's most ambitious track yet. She has described this song as a “plea and a cry for help,” or her way of offering a guiding light in troubled times.
“Close To You” - Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams, now 24, has been teasing this song since she was 16. With this official release, the singer-songwriter shares a taste of what's to come on her forthcoming album The Secret of Us.
“Junebug” - Raveena featuring JPEGMAFIA
The ethereal alt-R&B artist returns with “Junebug” ahead of next week’s release of her new album Where The Butterflies Go In The Rain. If the track and album titles aren’t enough, the single’s groovy and light-as-air sound should be enough to tell you this is perfect picnic-date music.
“VIP” - Isabella Lovestory
Isabella Lovestory is the future of reggaeton. Her sugary sound has dubbed her a perreo-pop artist, and “VIP” is the perfect example. This is what the video girls listen to on the way to set.
