Weekly5
Five new songs delivered every Sunday. 100% algorithm-free, hand-picked for you.
Edition #136
This week, we recommend the new songs by IDER, Jack White, Welsh Wolf, Oh Hazar, and AVEC.
❶ IDER – Know How It Hurts
UK’s duo IDER tease their upcoming album with another single, Know How It Hurts. With an intriguing 80s electropop groove, the song is a feminist anthem that, unfortunately, is more relevant than ever. Despite its depressing theme, Know How It Hurts finds the strength to keep on fighting through empathy.
❷ Welsh Wolf – When You Cry
As a songwriter and musician for big names like James Blunt, Chris Cornell, or Robbie Williams, Paul Freeman has nothing to prove. Now, he kicks off his solo career as Welsh Wolf, and the second single, When You Cry, sounds like a threesome between Springsteen, Rod Steward, and The Killers.
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❸ Jack White – You Got Me Searching
The walking anachronism is in a release frenzy. Relentlessly pushing for handmade music, Jack White praises heavy blues rock again in the latest single, You Got Me Searching. The wild guitar sounds misplaced in today’s music landscape, yet refreshing for exactly that reason. Rock’s never dying.
❹ Oh Hazar – Down
Introducing the German-Dutch art-pop band Oh Hazar: Their new track, Down, is a juxtaposition of relaxed verses and an explosive and loud blues rock chorus. The groove is addictive, and if one listens carefully, there are many playful details hidden in the escalating composition.
❺ AVEC – Everywhere
The Austrian artist AVEC has a unique sensibility for emotive pop songs, shaded with folky aesthetics and walking the line between accessibility and complexity. Everywhere again demonstrates her skills impressively. A galloping rhythm meets touching vocals, highlighted with sprinkles of guitar decorations.
Edition #135
This week, we recommend the new songs by Dews Pegahorn, Friska Viljor, Yellow Couch Music, yourboykiran, and semiotic sakura & fae.
Let's forget the world for a while and enjoy new music. We have a hip-hop artist dabbling with new wave, a Swedish duo revisiting a song, and a collective driven by a passion for diversity and excellence.
A boundaries-pushing collaboration and a UK producer await you with surprises. Dig in, the Weekly5 are served.
Dews Pegahorn – Son Of A Gun
German rising star Dews Pegahorn presents his next single, Son Of A Gun. Adolescent urge collides with a smoky, raspy voice—sinking into a bed of 80s wave attitude and contemporary beats. It's a far cry from his hip-hop roots but a promising cry nonetheless.
Friska Viljor – Inbreeds (Revisited)
The Swedish duo Friska Viljor is currently revisiting some of their older songs. Inbreeds, originally released on 2022's Don't Save the Last Dance, transforms from a dense composition to a reduced folk song with a poignant highlight by the nostalgic trumpet. An excellent rework.
yourboykiran – Elixir
UK's yourboykiran has a new EP, Out Of Control, out. Taken from the release, Elixir is a thumping masterpiece of breakbeat, lined with thick basses and an oriental-inspired synth hook. Around every corner, there lures something unexpected.
Yellow Couch Music – Locust Walk (feat. H. Alonzo Jennings & Lars Haake)
Hailing from Brooklyn, Yellow Couch Music is a collaborative project helmed by Layton Weedeman. Locust Walk is a fusion of jazz and spoken word, a tribute to the jazz pioneer Sun Ra. It sounds unusual and might take getting used to, yet you can feel the musicians' passion in every note.
semiotic sakura & fae – tes ailes
The collaboration between semiotic sakura and fae that led to tes ailes pushes the boundaries, meandering between sinister ambient and angelic voices, shattering techno beats, and nocturnal synth sounds. Dark yet somehow of haunting beauty.
Edition #134
This week, we recommend the new songs by The Cure, iuri, Obliecht, Sjöblom, and Flower Face.
My teenage angsty self rejoiced on Friday when The Cure finally dropped new music after more than a decade. But now, it deals with the inevitable progress of time and the impending decay.
But it's not only the legendary band that brought long-anticipated music. You'll find some beautiful finds: soothing, impressive, and unexpected.
The Cure – Endsong
16 long years, fans had to wait for new music by wave legends The Cure. Finally, Songs of a Lost World arrived—a heavy-hearted, dragging thing. Everything but an easy listen, the album's final track, a 10-minute-long epos of melancholic decay, appreciates and celebrates the long winding compositions to their fullest. Wow!
Sjöblom – Tomorrow
Dead of Night, the new album by Swedish duo Sjöblom, features an array of exquisite tracks meandering between indie and electro-pop—with a hint of post-punk and synth wave. Tomorrow is one of these groovy tracks that fuels the dancefloor for the sad. Heavy on the synths, poignant on the guitars.
Obliecht – Coastline
Rave-like composition meets the warmth of indie pop—flavoured by an unexpected instrument: the hammered dulcimer. Usually used in traditional music, the Swiss trio Obliecht showcases the angelic sound in a contemporary context. Coastline is a great taste for this forward-thinking band.
iuri – Colours
It's a heartfelt affair: Colours, the first teaser for iuri's debut album. Slow and playful, the composition allows instruments to twist and whirl. And the artist's voice comforts you with warmth and vulnerability, supported by a subtle choir that adds even more shades to this beautiful song.
Flower Face – Biblical Love
When Goth and folk music meet, it sounds like Flower Face. The Canadian artist just released the bittersweet album Girl Prometheus. And in Biblical Love, the worlds collide spectacularly. Soft and whispering, giving bedroom country, in the verses, the song erupts into a dark and dramatic anthem. Impressive!
Edition #133
This week, we recommend the new songs by Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, Sarah Klang, Ezra Furman & Alex Walton, Guinevere, and Rhonda.
Driven by exceptional performances, today's selection is for the admirers of extraordinary vocals. The mighty clarity of Sharon Van Etten, the smooth vulnerability of Sarah Klang, or the snotty-punkish flair by Ezra Furman. We wish you an intriguing listen.
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory – Afterlife
Sharon Van Etten and her new band, The Attachment Theory, just released Afterlife, the first stunning teaser of the upcoming album. Van Etten lets others in on the creative process for the first time, and the result sounds brilliant: grand, dreamy, melancholic, but most of all, utterly beautiful.
Ezra Furman & Alex Walton – Tie Me to The Train Tracks
Ezra Furman is back! Collaborating with Alex Walton, the US singer's Tie Me to The Train Track is a gritty, noisy rock song that bridges the gap between a past of distorted guitars and autotuned accents—it sounds just wild. But it's again Furman's raw authenticity making everything work and, frankly, excellent.
Sarah Klang – Other Girls
Swedish artist Sarah Klang's Other Girls is a heartbreaking, emotional piece about the desire to belong and the societal obsession over the female body. Delivered with her heartfelt, velvety voice, Sarah Klang transports vulnerability, yearning, and desperation to chilling perfection.
Guinevere – Generational Fear
Emotive and quiet initially, then erupting in a mighty plea. Italian artist Guinevere's Generational Fear is pushing the boundaries of folk music with its sparse yet powerful composition. A song that pleads for change, pushes against oppression, and seems griefing despite its defiance.
Rhonda – The More We Are Together
We often have debut or early singles, rarely a last song by a band. But The More We Are Together is the sonic farewell of the US-German band Rhonda. The soulful vocals meet a slow groove and make for a bittersweet but also warm atmosphere. The song is an invitation to explore Rhonda's past work.
Edition #132
This week, we recommend the new songs by MRCY, Bon Iver, Sampha, Mel D, and Porridge Radio.
Swinging between warm, progressive, and soulful sounds, artistic self-doubt, liberation, and emotional anger. In today’s Weekly5, you find the soundtrack for a reflective, introspective autumn. (And every song is available to get on Bandcamp, which you should do if you like one of them. Here’s why.)
MRCY – Angels
MRCY is the child of the unlikely duo producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson, a place of belonging and coming together. The captivating warmth of their contemporary soul radiates from Angels. What a stunning song!
Bon Iver – THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS
Bon Iver released SABLE, a hauntingly beautiful little EP. Dealing with self-doubt about himself as an artist, THINGS BEHIND THINGS BEHIND THINGS is a touching piece of modern songwriter art, blending folk, country, and poetry.
Sampha – Dancing Circles 2.0
To celebrate the anniversary of the lauded album Lahai, London’s Sampha released a deluxe version with new tracks like Dancing Circles 2.0. Exquisitely mixing soul vibes with pop-esque rhythms and rap, the track is electrifying.
Mel D – Not Crazy
Taken from the same named EP, Mel D’s song Not Crazy is a frantic, fizzing piece of indie-pop made in Switzerland. Despite its general breathlessness, the Zurich-based artist cleverly carves out spaces for calmer, floating moments.
Porridge Radio – God Of Everything Else
Porridge Radio have a new album out, filled with eclectic alt-rock songs—God Of Everything Else being one of them. It is dark, dramatic, and slowly building to its ultimate, overwhelming crescendo. Loud and pissed off.
Edition #131
This week, we recommend the new songs by Mortòri, Veronica Fusaro, Mon Rovîa, The Veils, and Westfalia.
A dialect that is about to vanish. A debate on technology and cognitive dissonance. Highly orchestrated folk music and boundaries-breaking rock. Today’s Weekly5 take you on a rollercoaster ride—up to tender highs and down into gutwrenching valleys. Strap in!
Mortòri – Bordel
Peter Kernel’s Aris Bassetti debuts his solo project Mortòri. Crooning in the slowly extinguishing Ticino dialect, Bordel tells a tale of love and loss and a life in chaos. Minimalistic and laced with oriental influences, the track sounds almost punkish but indeed mysterious and dark.
Veronica Fusaro – Slot Machine
Veronica Fusaro is back with Slot Machine, and what an explosive sign of life it is! On the surface, the Swiss-Italian pop artist brings us an addictive, melodic anthem, but then, the lyrics dive into the contradictive nature of technology: endless possibilities and incessant distractions.
Mon Rovîa – Winter Wash 24
Born in Liberia, now living in Tennessee, folk artist Mon Rovîa brings traditional Appalachian folk and his African roots together. Tackling cognitive dissonance, Winter Wash 24 is a tender beauty countering apathy with impressive humanity and vulnerability.
The Veils – The Ladder
Finn Andrews’ The Veils have released The Ladder, a soft and artistically orchestrated piece of music. Deeply rooted in folk music, the strings and piano add to the cinematically grand atmosphere. The New Zealanders excel in this teaser for their upcoming seventh studio album.
Westfalia – D-End
Virtuously throbbing between industrial-esque distortion, trip-hoppy groove, and driven indie rock, Italian outfit Westfalia push the envelope with their latest single, D-End. It’s an explosive cocktail—loud, wild, and ever-escalating with an undeniable psychedelic attitude.
Edition #130
This week, we recommend the new songs by TALYA & Kurty Co, Cora Novoa, Subaqua, BENN, and Lisheva x Pastelfuneral.
TALYA – useless (feat. Kurty Co)
What sounds ethereal in the beginning soon morphs into a subtly pumping track—maintaining its metaphysical energy. Useless by 24-year-old TALYA is an exceptional collaboration with producer Kurty Co, unifying the mystical of folk and the exuberance of electronica. Beautiful!
Cora Novoa – No Faith, No Fear
Barcelona-based DJ and producer Cora Novoa explores the complexity of humanity in the digital age in her upcoming album. No Faith, No Fear is a first preview, a glimpse into a post-modernity—built on fierce synthesizers, foggy vocals, and experimental will.
Subaqua – Naked
Subaqua's Naked displays their impactful songwriting capacity. The rising Swiss duo maintains a plain, sparse composition—it sounds raw, direct, and vulnerably honest. Walking the line between sharing and restraint, Naked is an impactful, heavy song that creeps under your skin.
BENN – In My Head
Finnish-Swedish alt-pop artist BENN revisits memories of insecurity and lack of self-esteem, meandering between uncertainty and hope. In My Head is a striving ballad driven by BENN's emotional, melodic voice. Yes, it's lingering closely to kitsch, but with a melancholic edge.
Lisheva & Pastelfuneral – Thelxiepeia
Thelxiepeia is one of the most renowned sirens in Greek mythology, but it is also the creative child of Lisheva and Pastelfuneral. And like a siren, the track is haunting, drawing you down into the escalating depths of hyper-pop-inspired electronic sounds. Unexpected and definitely only for some.
Edition #129
Today, we recommend the new songs by Flirtmachine, Mount Jacinto, Billy Zach, Meltheads, and Hugo Trist.
Do you like wonky tunes? Or are refined rock compositions your preference? Don't worry; the latest, hand-picked collection brings you both. I wish you a joyful discovery.
You can listen to today's curation on selected streaming services:
Spotify • Apple Music • YouTube Music • Bandcamp
Flirtmachine – Been in the Train
A fun kind of wonkiness surrounds Been in a Train by Austrian band Flirtmachine. Indie rock, funk, rap and synthpop join together in this compartment—on a ride to the underground station. The result sounds impossibly cool.
Mount Jacinto – The Reason
With undeniable 60s nostalgia, Mount Jacinto explores the inner dialogue in crucial moments. The Reason is a powerful yet reserved rock track that shines with a pale light and rides with a groovy bass. And the guitars—sometimes flowing, sometimes emphatic—round off this reflective tune.
Billy Zach – I am You
Fans of Fontanes D.C. have to taste Billy Zach and their new single, I am You. The dragging, noisy post-punk composition slowly cuts open the chest, carefully severs the heart from the bloodlines, and throws it into the abyss. A haunting, trance-inducing sound.
Meltheads – Happiness Suits You
Uncompromisingly fast and loud, Belgian indie rock formation Meltheads shred through the curtain. Happiness Suits You, a hearty anthem for self-acceptance, attacks the legs with pop's catchiness and the gut with punchy riffs. It is a sweaty and wild affair.
Hugo Trist – De-Identify
Eclectic future garage artist Hugo Trist presents his debut album. As already proven with every single release like Say It, Mean It, his compositions are as catchy as they are soulful. De-Identify stands as another perfect, more dreamy example.
We asked Hugo Trist to share five tracks that inspired his sound. Find out here.