Clockwise from top left: BAILEN, August Eve, Altin Gün, WHIPPED CREAM, PUP, Kailee Morgue.

Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at our fingertips.

Artists on platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp are plentiful, and the radio offers a steady deluge of new singles, but who has time to sort through all that? RIFF does!

We pooled our resources to find some of the best new singles from all genres and backgrounds, so you can find your newest earworm without all the drama. Enjoy this week’s hidden gems.

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Kailee Morgue featuring Hayley Kiyoko, “Headcase” — Collaborations can be unpredictable—you just hope you’ll like the results. For Kailee Morgue and Hayley Kiyoko, two of pop’s current rising artists, the chemistry proves fierce and compelling. Morgue’s gothic pop style sets a brooding backdrop for “Headcase,” while Kiyoko’s headstrong energy shines through on the song’s colorful glitches. The song itself is based off Morgue’s experiences with mental illness and features a sample of Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” Its lyrics are honest and vulnerable, but also find power in acknowledging lived experiences.

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PUP, “Scorpion Hill” — Just over five minutes in length, “Scorpion Hill” is PUP’s longest song to date, with most of their reservoir faring between two and three minutes. The Toronto pop-punk quartet uses its runtime meticulously, starting out unplugged before building to a frenetic frenzy, pacing back and forth between both extremes. This dynamic complements the narrative—dark, racing thoughts triggered by inner demons. With Stefan Babcock’s piercing vocals accentuating the emotion, “Scorpion Hill” shows PUP’s ability to really zero in on a mood while staying true to its honed style.

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Altin Gün, “Süpürgesi Yoncadan” — Altin Gün sees traditional Turkish folk music through a psychedelic lens. On “Süpürgesi Yoncadan,” the Amsterdam-based sextet uses glitchy synth effects and heavy drum tracks to create a celestial atmosphere. This soundscape is paired against Erdinç Ecevit’s traditional vocals. And as the lyrics (all sung in Turkish) narrate an unintentional and unexpected crush, the single’s funky instrumentals come together to unravel the maddening emotions of it all.

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August Eve, “Know Better” — Against an ambient soundscape, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist August Eve channels her inner chanteuse on “Know Better.” The cut, released as part of a double-single with “You Already Know,” is a slow-burner set aglow by her lush vocals. As the lyrics reflect on a breakup, August Eve puts her vocal range on full display all while keeping a silky smooth flow. Her verses, singing style and rhythm practically melt together, allowing listeners to fully bask in the cut’s steamy mood.

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BAILEN, “Rose Leaves” — This track from New York City folk trio BAILEN feels like your very own personal serenade. What starts as a gentle guitar refrain and Julia Bailen’s angelic vocals blossoms into a multi-part harmony with her siblings and bandmates, Daniel and David Bailen. Their vocal blend becomes the driving force of the song, its softness and sincerity magnetically pulling you in. Even as a fuller band sound comes in, the instrumentals remain understated. BAILEN’s vocals prove to be effective tools for emotional expression on “Rose Leaves,” ruminating on a haunting kind of love.  

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WHIPPED CREAM featuring DeathbyRomy, “Time” — While deep, earthy vocals are common in folk, they are far less common in EDM. Vancouver Island electronic artist WHIPPED CREAM and Los Angeles singer DeathbyRomy prove the synergy of these diverging elements with “Time.” As WHIPPED CREAM creates an intense energy alternating between minimalist ominous beats and thick synthscapes, DeathbyRomy’s warm vocals and introspective verses become uniform with the heavy mood. Beautifully gloomy, “Time” feels like stepping into some alternate realm within the electronic genre.

Chloe’s Pick: I love the mood of “Know Better” by August Eve. Its looming synths open up the dreamiest atmosphere. It’s perfect for those who prefer to keep their head in the clouds, especially with August Eve’s backing vocals, which remind of the sultrily whispered ad libs in ’90s R&B. Her captivating singing style naturally complements this style of music.

Follow editor Chloe Catajan at Instagram.com/riannachloe and Twitter.com/riannachloe.