The number of new songs coming through the inbox has decreased slightly–it’s summer, so it’s expected–but there was still a rumble to see which of the 400 tracks that did come in made the prestigious Five Songs You Must Hear list.
1. Kim Deal, Coast
Single (4AD)
Recommended If You Like: The Pixies and Breeders, obviously
Kim Deal hasn’t been part of The Pixies for a while and The Breeders’ output has been sporadic at best (although they have played live quite a bit, including opening eight shows for Olivia Rodrigo). Now, though, she’s back with her first solo single under her own name. If you’re looking for an optimistic summer song, this could be what you’re looking for.
2. COIN, Take It or Leave It
I’m Not Afraid of Music Anymore (10K Projects)
RIYL: Avoiding heartbreak
Nashville’s COIN will be back after a two-year hiatus on September 13 with their fifth album. There was a concerning period of writer’s block stemming from a series of personal crises that took a little bit of “pseudo-therapy” (their term) with a friend to sort out. This is the second advance single, the follow-up to Strawberry Jam which appeared back in June.
3. Ill Scarlett, Ashes feat. Skye Sweetnam
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Easy Canadian reggae
It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new music from Toronto’s Ill Scarlett, but now that they’re working again—they’re playing live across Canada this summer—it’s nice to hear some new material from them. They’ve just released this summery song featuring vocals from Skye Sweetnam.
4. Fraxinus Prime, Doorway
Bluebird Acoustic One-Takes EP (Indepdendent)
RIYL: USS by any other name
USS wrapped up their career a while back, but Ash Buchholz isn’t done making music. Now working under the name Fraxinus Prime (Frax for short), he’s trying something much more stripped-down with this four-track EP. It’s just like it sounds, too: Ash and a guitar in a dimly lit room playing some new acoustic tracks each completed in one take with no edits over overdubs.
5. Dexter and the Moonrocks, Sad in Carolina
Single (Big Loud Rock)
RIYL: The idea of being sad in Carolina
Starting with a lot of catch “woos,” this single from Abilene, Texas, four-piece was produced by Ryan Hewitt, a guy known for his work with the Chili Peppers, The Lumineers, and Noah Kahan. Fans have decided to call their sound “Western space grunge” from some “sad space cowboys.” The result is something vaguely Foo Fighter-ish/Weezer-ish that should sit well with people looking for a harder take on Southern rock.
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