
Sound Off: 10 Songs You Need to Hear Now
By Shaad D'Souza
May 30, 2025
It's impossible to be across all the new music out each Friday. Luckily, PAPER is here to help you out: each week, we round up 10 of our favorite new songs from artists — emerging and established — to soundtrack your life. From the surreal to the sublime, these songs cover every corner of the music world. The only criteria: they all have to absolutely rip.
Subscribe to our Sound Off Spotify playlist here and check out this week's tracks, below.
Song of the Week: Clipse - "Ace Trumpets"
Just like no time passed at all, Clipse are back, produced immaculately by Pharrell Williams. Do I like the line “Yellow diamonds look like pee pee?” No, of course I don’t. But Pusha and Malice are still sharper and more charismatic than most. “Ace Trumpets” is a welcome harbinger for the duo’s new album, due in July.
Addison Rae - "Fame Is A Gun"
Another immaculate single from Addison Rae; anticipation for her debut album Addison, out next week, is officially at fever pitch. Shades of Goldfrapp and Eurythmics hover around this song, but its verbose, slightly silly lyrics are pure Addison.
New York - "think of you"
New York return to the pulsating electroclash of their debut record on this discordant, sultry club track.
Alex G - "Afterlife"
If “Runner” was Alex G’s classic rock song, maybe this is his take on yacht rock — all easy breezy with a broken heart.
HAIM - "Take Me Back"
Twee is so in right now! Is this a recession indicator? I think this probably isn’t the only glockenspiel we’ll be hearing this year.
Miley Cyrus - "Easy Lover"
Miley’s “indie album” isn’t entirely that – as “Easy Lover” suggests, there’s plenty of old-school soul and R&B influence in there too.
Tops - "Chlorine"
Slinky, glamorous, a little heartbroken – it’s vintage Tops, a fantastic omen for their forthcoming album Bury The Key.
Silvana Estrada - "Como Un Pájaro"
An unbelievably gorgeous showcase for Mexican musician Silvana Estrada’s rich, clarion voice.
Ovkast, Vince Staples - "Strange Ways"
When this guy’s PR emails me, I always think I’m being emailed about the famous duo Outkast, because that’s how it looks in text. But the Oakland rapper’s new track is a heater, a fusion of hype-up rap and mellow jazz that surprisingly works.
Laundry Day - "She Knows Me"
I think these guys are charming and hilarious, and while I can’t totally vibe with this Jason Mraz core, I support them as people.
Photography courtesy Addison Rae, Columbia Records
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