Clockwise from top left: Brynn Elliott, CHAI, Cassandra Jenkins, Roisin O, Adult Mom and Deb Never.

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.

***

Adult Mom, “Sober” —  Stevie Knipe of Adult Mom translates into song that post-breakup milestone of waking up one day and finally feeling free. “Sober” opens with Knipe narrating an ex moving on without them while struggling to do the same; minimal instrumentation aptly scores these feelings of isolation and grief. But the track flourishes with the drumming and sparkling riffs, foreshadowing progress and healing. What begins as a crumbled relationship patched together by gauzy retrospection turns into a chapter of clarity. “It’s a chilling confidence that I don’t need you anymore,” Knipe sings.

***

Brynn Elliott, “Tell Me I’m Pretty” — It’s easy to get wrapped up in social media validation and the instant gratification of “likes and views,” but Brynn Elliott reminds us of the importance of self-love. On “Tell Me I’m Pretty,” Elliott re-centers herself on the idea that happiness comes from within. The melody is pure pop—catchy and vibrant—but Elliott’s message goes far beyond surface level.  She radiates nothing but good energy here, her intentions shining through beautifully. 

***

Cassandra Jenkins, “Hard Drive” — Through her delivery and songwriting, Cassandra Jenkins’ latest single is a breath of fresh, crisp mountain air. The New York artist recounts a series of anecdotes and interactions, spoken over a drifting rhythm section and saxophone. She threads together each unsuspecting encounter beautifully, making everything in this life feel connected. In just under five and a half minutes, “Hard Drive” offers an entire cinematic experience, nuances and all.

***

CHAI, “ACTION” — “Don’t stop teaching love,” sings Mana of Japanese quartet CHAI. The dance-punk group, making its second appearance in this space, puts its words straight into “ACTION,” packing its latest release with sheer positivity via cheeky lyrics and iridescent synths. The melody alone offers hope that happiness and good times are indeed achievable, while the video delivers fun instantly. If you remember the viral sensation, “Daft Hands,” think of “ACTION” as its wholesome final form. 

***

Deb Never, “Someone Else” — On “Someone Else,” Deb Never captures the incredibly vulnerable feeling of falling for someone who might not be all in. Her confessional lyrics feel like a late-night heart-to-heart with a loved one, while each note floats as if from a dream. The tones are soft, delicate, much like the sentiments at hand. And while her heart is clearly on the line, her whimsical approach to it all is enough to convince that it’s a risk worth taking.  

***

Róisín O, “Heart + Bones” — The lyrics to “Heart + Bones” open up with caution. “I was always too scared of what I might find,” sings Róisín O on the first verse. But when the Irish singer—sister of the Coronas‘ Danny O‘Reilly—goes on to confront her heartache, she does so with immense conviction. Her vocals rise and roar, like high tides closing in on you—a flood of emotions and the only way out is to go through. Stunning and moving, “Heart + Bones” is a catharsis personified. 

***

Chloe’s Pick: I know I default to sad songs most of the time, but there’s another part of my personality that’s the literal opposite…CHAI’s sound and image sums up that other part best. I enjoyed the blithe, lighthearted spirit of “ACTION” and truly believe that listening to it in the mornings before work last week had a positive effect on my mood. The video was fun, too. I’m definitely eager to catch CHAI live when concerts start back up again. 

Follow editor Chloe Catajan at Instagram.com/riannachloe.