MUST LISTEN 057
Every week, we’ll be bringing you MUST LISTEN: a series that's a compilation of rising artists along with songs that must be added to your everyday playlist. This week’s playlist consists of emerging acts like The Night Café, Sinéad Harnett, and Rakiyah. Turn on, tune in, and zone out.
The Night Café encases nostalgia and the anxiety of change in their new single, “Think it Over.” The Liverpool band exemplifies the indie genre in their newest project, For Better Days, which treads on the heels of their 2019 debut album, 0151. The music video, which was directed by the band members themselves, is a patchwork of warmly lit clips that spark fond memories.
Photo: Ana Tanaka
With effortless vocals, Sinéad Harnett tones it down and speaks from the heart on “Hard 4 Me 2 Love You.” The track is about the turmoil of unconditional love towards those closest to us and its ever-enduring nature. It’s the fourth and final single from her new album, Ready is Always Too Late, which dropped this week.
With a smooth bassline and entrancing vocals, Rakiyah’s “Whoa” should be your new obsession. The track comes from her latest EP, Into the Cosmos, and is the precursor to new music coming this summer. Having spent time in Korea, Rakiyah sometimes blends Korean lyrics into her music, and has even debuted a single in the country.
mui zyu’s “pour a brain” is equal parts ominous and dreamy. Also known as Eva Liu, the London artist cites video games and ‘90s Cantonese-pop as some of her inspirations. Although this is mui zyu’s debut single, we already get a glimpse at her knack for experimentation and of what’s to come.
Dallas artist Sudie is a “one-person show” who draws on their well-rounded background as a songwriter, producer, and vocalist. For the latest single,“Good Guy,” Sudie teams up with Kari Faux for a dark, R&B-pop fusion track with a meaningful message. The pair calls out the “narcissist and sadistic people who prey on the empathetic and trusting,” especially those who do so on the internet.
Bay Area artist Chrystia Cabral, aka SPELLLING, evokes gothic and haunting imagery with the new single “Boys at School.” Cabral boasts full use of instrumentals from piano to synths, building on each other as the song progresses to create an experience that transcends genre. The single runs ahead of SPELLLING’s upcoming album, The Turning Wheel, out this June.
Spend a couple minutes in a daydream with “Magnolia” from Laufey’s debut EP, Typical of Me. The 22-year-old artist is an old soul who draws inspiration from starlets like Billie Holiday to classical composers like Chopin. “Magnolia” is soothing and kind, and the music video lets us envision a storybook come to life.
Made up of vocalist Sarah Lee and instrumentalist Cozy, duo Sunday Moon are a match made in lo-fi heaven. Like the name of the song, “Golden” is perfect for golden hour or a quiet afternoon. The animation in the music video is stunning and surreal, adding an otherworldliness to a down-to-earth song.
SEB’s “Coney Island” is the light and airy start to summer we all need. To contrast the easy-going vibes, SEB’s lyrics chronicle the uncertainty and troubles of early adulthood. As one of many great tracks in a flurry of singles from the L.A. artist, we hope to see a full-length project soon.
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