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.
Induct the last line of SZA’s “Kill Bill” into the saddest lyrics ever hall of fame: “I just killed my ex, I still love him though/ Rather be in jail than alone.” (YouTube)
There’s an unhinged, feral quality to Caroline Polachek’s latest release that she manages to make sound danceable — even chic. (YouTube)
Mod Sun trades spiky guitars for a sweet pop-punk love song with rising Nashville singer Charlotte Sands. (YouTube)
Lana del Rey’s first release of 2022 is a sumptuous ballad that’s subtle for a lead single, but holds all its power in its lyrics: “F*ck me to death, love me until I love myself.” (YouTube)
Bree Runway’s audacious ode to herself is playful, fierce, and equipped with a melodic hook that will also have you chanting her name in her head. (YouTube)
A potential grocery store meet-cute has never sounded more romantic than on Andy Shauf’s very pretty new piano ballad, “Catch Your Eye.” (YouTube)
There’s nothing too fancy about Fran’s simple and clean folk; it lets her frank songwriting shine. (YouTube)
Blondshell’s “Veronica Mars” looks back at life in 2004, and explodes into a very satisfying fury of guitars and rebellious rock sound. (YouTube)
Rapper Mercury’s airy, nonchalant flow brilliantly meets Coco & Clair Clair’s bouncy “popstar”. (YouTube)