Our Songs of the Week column appears at nice new music from the final week and analyzes notable releases. Discover all our newest favorites and extra on our Spotify Top Songs playlist, and for different nice songs from rising artists, take a look at our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, new tracks from Wishy, McKinley Dixon, Weatherday, and extra.
Workers Picks: February seventeenth – twenty first 2025
Brandon – “Proper Again”
R&B vocalist Brandon has described his upcoming album, Earlier than You Go, as an exploration of the concept love is in a continuing state of change. The concept is successfully captured by his newest single, Proper Again,” a soulful alt-pop observe exploring a return to one thing that can inevitably finish in additional ache. The layered harmonies assist the confessional vocal on the coronary heart of the track. “You’re like cyanide/ However child I nonetheless need you,” he sings, veering by a melodic refrain and conversational verses. — Mary Siroky
Carly Pearce – “no rain”
Arriving with the deluxe model of her 2024 album hummingbird, Carly Pearce’s “no rain” is an intimate ode to optimism. Whereas the concept of rain being necessary to make the flowers develop is a mantra that’s been explored earlier than, one thing about it feels recent in Pearce’s fingers, together with the rootsy manufacturing and string-laden bridge. The persevering with ahead momentum feels emblematic of this chapter in her story as an entire, as Pearce continues to ascertain herself as one of the important feminine voices within the style. — M. Siroky
Hannah Cohen — “Draggin’”
From the primary observe that Hannah Cohen sings on new track “Draggin’,” it’s clear that her voice is inimitable. Doubled up within the combine, her excessive timbre and highly effective management of dynamics give “Draggin’” a soulful twist. With loads of background vocals, bluesy guitars, and a throwback sound straight from the early ’70s, Hannah Cohen is untouchable on “Draggin’,” and it’s a golden hour providing from her upcoming LP Earthstar Mountain. — Paolo Ragusa
Hurray for the Riff Raff – “Pyramid Scheme”
“Pyramid Scheme” is a people rock gem from Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Segarra, one which will get us diving into our closet for these favored cowboy kickers. There’s an exuberance from the instrumentals that radiate gentle and positivity, making you’re feeling armored to beat the world…or not less than the weekend. — Nicolle Periola
Maruja – “Ceathair”
Right now, Maruja, certainly one of our artists to watch in 2025, dropped the improvised Tír na nÓg EP. Having beforehand previewed the mission with the exhilarating “Aon,” the remainder of the lot proves to be no much less thrilling. The closing observe “Ceathair,” specifically, showcases the group’s mastery of texture and dynamics. A slow-building rise that results in the EP’s final climax, “Ceathair” is a excessive observe to exit on, including to the anticipation for no matter Maruja will prepare dinner up subsequent. — Jonah Krueger
McKinley Dixon – “Sugar Water” (feat. Quelle Chris & Anjimile)
The star has been on the rise for Richmond-born, Chicago-based rapper McKinley Dixon. However along with his newest, the wildly energetic and jazz-infused “Sugar Water,” his subsequent chapter has arrived with an particularly attention-grabbing launch. Right here, Dixon is haunted by the ghosts of his previous, significantly these of his house within the south — he’s aided by multi-hyphenate expertise Quelle Chris and indie-folk artist Anjimile to spherical out the story, making his narrative really feel tangible and pressing. — M. Siroky
