(Clockwise photos by): jolie m-a, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs, Diego Leon, Munachi Osegbu, and Nate Sturley. Graphic by KCRW
Hey! Did you know that there’s an entire aspect of KCRW music discovery that you might be missing out on? Fear not, because our 5 Songs to Hear This Week newsletter is now a weekly feature on our website. Watch this space for rundowns of the five songs that you need in your life immediately, curated by KCRW Music staff. Don’t want to wait for your latest taste of fresh tunes? Sign up for the Tuesday newsletter here, and have ‘em delivered directly to your inbox.
It’s Sparks! The beloved storytelling songwriters, who are behind KCRW’s Bookworm theme, are back with this bigtime breakup single and a new album, MAD!, due on May 23rd via Transgressive Records. The Mael brothers, who have been cranking out songs since the 1970s, rely on their signature literalism and self-harmonizing layered vocals from singer Russell, who presents the rather personal lyrics as though they were his own. Fun fact: It’s actually keyboardist Ron who is the primary songwriter. LA fans take note, you can catch Sparks live at the Greek Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
Click into this one for a quick hit of indie-lo-fi-power-pop. Ahhh, that’s better, isn’t it? Sharp Pins hails from Chi-town and appears to be this one guy — Kai Slater — who also appears to make this rad zine. This track is simple, stripped down, and just plain old good. Modded vocals, a one-two drum machine beat, and warm guitars make it exactly what it intends to be… And now we can’t stop.
LA’s own Bouquet made a gentle dream-pop album ten years ago — so dreamy in fact, it features a track titled In a Dream. Now, the duo is back with this bright, thoughtful new single and an upcoming album appropriately named Spellbreaker. Hit play on this one for light-touch vocals with striking guitars and a head-bop beat, all united together in a way that just works.
Here’s your chance to get in early on one-to-watch: Camilo Medina, known as a solo artist as S.3.R. Blending shoegazey, DGAF style vocals and lyrics en Español with a high-energy, Latin-percussion-led production — this musical mélange is striking to say the least. Before going solo, Medina also lent his voice to American-Colombian rock band Divino Niño. We’re here for all his musical iterations.
LA indie duo AKA BK are just breaking out and offer up this forest-romping single that celebrates someone special… And whoever they are, their name is Hannah. But knowing whichever of the duo is pledging their love to Hannah is not a prerequisite for enjoying the song, which is a perfect blend of swoony guitars, gauzy faraway vocals, and a pleasantly staccato whispered narrative. Fans of groups like Warpaint, don’t miss this one.
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