Sound Off: 10 Songs You Need to Hear Now

Ethel Cain - "Vacillator"

Ethel Cain’s new project, Perverts, is not really a left-turn at all if you’ve been listening closely. “Vaccilator”, a highlight, taps into the atmospheric ambient influence that was present on Preacher’s Daughter and makes all the implicit Grouper reference far more explicit.

Japanese Breakfast - "Orlando in Love"

The first single from Japanese Breakfast’s For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) was produced by Blake Mills, who leaves his unmistakable mark on Michelle Zauner’s sepia-toned balladry.

Bad Bunny - "BAILE INoLVIDABLE"

Bad Bunny’s new album Debí Tírar Más Fotos is a whole lot darker than we’ve come to expect from the Puerto Rican superstar, but it’s punctuated with resplendent bangers like this one.

JADE - "It Girl"

I was initially a Jade skeptic but I can’t deny her run of impeccable solo singles. This song is sneakily wacky, a weird, haunted track that recalls the best of Britney’s Blackout.

Sharp Pins - "I Can't Stop"

This winsome new single, powered by Kai Slater’s disembodied but impassioned vocal performance, brings back great memories of the long-gone Sydney power-pop band Royal Headache.

DARKSIDE - "S.N.C."

This funky new Darkside track actually feels a lot like the early dance experiments of Nicolas Jaar, updated with a bracing live band feel.

Destroyer, Fiver - "Bologna"

“Bologna” plays like a darker take on the exploratory pop of Dan Bejar’s classic Kaputt, Fiver’s worn, beautiful voice playing perfect counterpoint to Bejar’s.

Panda Bear - "Ferry Lady"

Sun-dappled production and direct, aching lyrics from Panda Bear’s new album Sinister Grift.

Youth Lagoon - "Speed Freak"

There’s an industrial shade to Youth Lagoon’s new single, which provides a jarring, invigorating counterpoint to his subtle, delicate vocal.

child star, Olivia O., Sean Henry - "Stupid"

Olivia O and Sean Henry have returned ahead of a new EP with “Stupid,” a song that’s lo-fi and lush and something of an earworm.

Photography: Silken Weinber