Throughout the week, we update our Best New Songs playlist with the new releases that caught our attention the most, be it a single leading up to the release of an album or a newly unveiled deep cut. And each Monday, we round up the best new songs released over the past week (the eligibility period begins on Monday and ends Sunday night) in this segment.
On this week’s playlist, we have the immaculately harsh yet dreamy opening title track from The Armed’s magnificent new album, ULTRAPOP; a new single from Lucy Dacus called ‘Hot Heavy’, more propulsive but no less evocative than previous teaser ‘Thumbs’; South London singer-songwriter Tirzah’s first release since her 2018 debut Devotion, ‘Send Me’, a hushed yet captivating track that explodes in its final moments; two equally entrancing songs, SPELLLING’s layered and expansive ‘Little Deer’ and Charles’ intimate ‘Rex Harrison’; a moody, raw cut from Ethel Cain’s soon-to-be-released Inbred EP, featuring a killer guitar solo; a soft, dreamy ballad from Melbourne singer-songwriter Maple Glider called ‘Swimming’, from her forthcoming debut To Enjoy Is the Only Thing; a stunning new version of Anjimile’s ‘In Your Eyes’ featuring Jay Som, from the upcoming orchestral reimagining of the Boston songwriter’s debut LP; and finally, Fiona Apple’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters-style cover of Sharon Van Etten’s ‘Love More’, a highlight from the new epic Ten reissue.
Best New Songs: April 19, 2021
SPELLLING, ‘Little Deer’
Tirzah, ‘Send Me’
Lucy Dacus, ‘Hot & Heavy’
Ethel Cain, ‘Unpunishable’
Charles, ‘Rex Harrison’
Fiona Apple, ‘Love More’ (Sharon Van Etten Cover)
Song of the Week: The Armed, ‘ULTRAPOP’
Maple Glider, ‘Swimming’
Anjimile feat. Jay Som, ‘In Your Eyes (Reflection)’