Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now
Music

Sound Off: 10 New Songs You Need to Hear Now

by Shaad D'Souza

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.

Troye Sivan — "Angel Baby"

The glitzy trappings of this huge, high-gloss '90s-style power ballad are pure Mariah: it's a truly ecstatic track, slow and steady in its invocations and always burning at 100% brightness. Add in a disorientating tech-house bridge and you've got a track that showcases everything great and distinct about Troye Sivan as an artist.

Chloë — "Have Mercy"

Can we turn the cooling on in here? Chloë's first single without her sister Halle is hot as hell, a gloriously sultry piece of R&B whose shapeshifting production speaks to Chloë's prowess behind the boards. "Lord, have mercy" indeed.

Moses Sumney & Sam Gendel — "Can’t Believe It"

I've been waiting for someone to utilize the extraordinary Los Angeles saxophonist as a producer for a minute now, but "Can't Believe It" was worth the weight: Moses Sumney is as magnetic as ever here, even when shrouded in vocoder, a perfect counter to Gendel's moonlit, smoke-hazed production.

Monsta X — "One Day"

Monsta X's "One Day" is a heartfelt, soaring ballad, the kind that they do so well. It's an auspicious introduction to the next chapter in the storied K-pop band's history.

Victor Internet — "FOREVER"

Victor Internet channels Prince on this squelching, '80s-toned R&B track, which wisely builds to a surprising, surreal finale.

Syd — "Right Track (feat. Smino)"

It's easy to forget that Syd is, quietly, one of the best R&B vocalists currently working, in addition to being an incredible producer and bandleader. On her solo music, she's Timbaland and Missyand she's Aaliyah, and that's fully evident on "Right Track."

Tirzah — "Hive Mind (feat. Coby Sey)"

"Hive Mind," one of a couple of collaborations between Tirzah and Coby Sey on Tirzah's new album Colourgrade, is a perfect synthesis between organic and inorganic — an R&B track scrapped for parts, remade with raw material.

Sega Bodega — "Only Seeing God When I Come"

"Only Seeing God When I Come" is a typically dewy, gossamer track from Sega Bodega, a breakbeat-heavy piece of romantic house music that's perfect for late nights and bright sunrises.

MUNA — "Silk Chiffon (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)"

MUNA's new track is pure '90s, a glorious, sun-kissed queer anthem that adds a sapphic twist to the kinds of songs that populated the soundtracks of iconic teen films.

Aly & AJ — "Get Over Here"

Aly & AJ channel St. Vincent on this noirish piece of '80s throwback pop. Building to a chic, plainspoken peak, it's the picture of grown-up pop.

Photo courtesy of Luke Gilford