Our recurring Songs of the Week column highlights the best new tracks from the last seven days. Find our new favorites on our Top Songs playlist, and for more great songs from emerging artists, listen to our New Sounds playlist. This week, we’ve listening to tunes from Geese, Die Spitz, crushed, and others.
After — “Outbound”
If Hilary Duff’s 2003 album Metamorphosis was a sacred text, indie pop duo After have been on quite the mission trip. It’s impossible not to feel transported to the early aughts listening to their dreamy pop-rock cuts, and even their music videos double down with of-the-era transitions and slo-mo close-ups. “Outbound” is more wistful than their usual fare, but it brings an irresistible sweetness and a main character energy. One listen and you might find yourself thinking, “You know what? Everything is going to be alright.” — Paolo Ragusa
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crushed — “oneshot”
We’re back in the lush crushed universe with their new song “oneshot,” and each song off their upcoming album no scope, out September 26th, has been a standout offering. “oneshot” reprises the duo’s signature trip-hop percussion but blends the touch of digital with a good helping of organic guitar and crystal-clear vocals. They perfectly capture the distance between dreamy sedation and the immediacy of strong emotions, letting their most anthemic modes trail off with a touch of reverb and a familiar haze. — P. Ragusa
Die Spitz — “Punishers”
“Punishers,” the latest taste of Die Spitz’ upcoming album Something to Consume, does exactly that — punishes. Heavy, hooky, and riddled with feelings of frustration, the track finds much-needed catharsis via massive guitar tones, wailing lines, and a couple of yelps — you know, for good measure. It’s a banger, and one with something to say. — Jonah Krueger
Geese — “100 Horses”
Yes, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged on Tuesday, but something even more amazing happened that day: Geese dropped this swampy, eccentric, war-themed new song, “100 Horses.” Their haywire, restless energy has been thoroughly retained from their debut (which, shockingly, is only about 4-years-old), but Geese are currently sounding like five different bands combined into one, twisting what would be a ‘classic rock’ sound into something that could easily collapse into itself. At the center is some particularly intriguing poetry from Cameron Winter, who swears he saw 100 horses dancing — or was it 124? — and lands on the unavoidable truth that “there is always dance music at times of war.” “100 Horses” is a remarkable piece of rock music from Geese. — P. Ragusa
Julianna Riolino — “Full Moon”
Taken from her upcoming sophomore album, Echo in the Dust, “Full Moon” finds singer-songwriter Julianna Riolino locking into a driving indie rock groove. Synth lines and the lead vocals prance over a constant drum groove and bass line until it feels like the whole thing might fall apart. Instead, the tune blooms in an array of shimmering guitars and Riolino amping up the energy of her performance, resulting in a satisfying, beautiful payoff. — J. Krueger
Maneka — “shallowing” and “dimelo”
This week, Philadelphia’s Maneka announced his latest album, bathes and listens, by dropping not one but two lead singles, “shallowing” and “dimelo.” The two songs serve as the first two songs on the tracklist, respectively, with the former showcasing Maneka’s talent for dynamic songwriting and melancholic atmospheres. The latter, in contrast, is blistering, noisy, and unrelenting. It’s a wonderful one-two punch of creative, compelling indie rock. — J. Krueger
Paul Dally — “Not All Bad Boys Are Bad All the Time”
Not only does “Not All Bad Boys Are Bad All the Time,” the latest offering from Paul Dally, have an incredibly fun title, it’s also an incredibly fun two-and-a-half minutes of shuffling folk rock. While it’s not exactly an ass-shaking club banger, it is a tune that’s bound to be a breezy, swinging singalong at any of Dally’s future live shows. Serving as the lead single for his newest record, RAVE, “Not All Bad Boys Are Bad All the Time” kicks off Dally’s latest album cycle on solid footing. — J. Krueger
