Clockwise from top left: Gracie Abrams, Charlotte Dos Santos, The Districts, Yael Naim, Yoste and Knuckle Puck.

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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Yael Naim, “Shine” — To be alone with your thoughts is equal parts terrifying, hypnotizing and cathartic. Israeli singer-songwriter Yael Naim captures that sensation beautifully on “Shine,” a song that yearns for light during a period of darkness. Over a muted melody, Naim’s haunting mourns lure you in as they recite the most melancholy musings. It’s a long ways from her upbeat breakthrough single, “New Soul,” but it’s a touching glimpse into Naim’s creative explorations. 

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Knuckle Puck, “Tune You Out” — The Chicago quintet’s pop-punk banger begins with punchy riffs and anthemic hooks. The track elevates itself with some nice touches, including a compelling contrast between falsetto and screamed vocals, as well as an homage to “Donnie Darko” near the end. The final result is confirmation that pop-punk remains alive and well, and in good hands going into the new decade. 

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Gracie Abrams, “21” — Despite being named after a thrilling life milestone, “21” captures the overwhelming feeling of a crumbling young love. Singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams mulls over bittersweet flashbacks and the what-ifs, as the hook effortlessly falls into place. Her confessional lyrics perfectly outline Abrams’ sincere vocals and dreamy instrumention, creating a vibe for any coming-of-age moment. 

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Yoste, “You Can’t Fix Me” — Yoste dresses up his signature buoyant beat with mesmerizing vocals on this new single. The first notes sung are earthy and isolated, and later melt with glossy instrumentals. While the mix of textures is soothing to the ear, his lyrics on letting go of toxicity come through with a notable sincerity. Compared to when we last featured the Australian singer-songwriter-producer, these vocals are much louder and clearer—a striking composition to lead up to Yoste’s upcoming releases. 

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The Districts, “Velour and Velcro” — Whimsical tones and big choruses give The Districts an invincible, infectious energy on “Velour and Velcro.” Its lyrics compare love to heaven, only to point out that the idea of perfection isn’t quite real in the end. “And for the best/ Ain’t always what I need,” sums up the realization best as the song carries on with high spirits. “Velour and Velcro” is the third single off the Philadelphia band’s upcoming album, and it comes with a music video that’s equal parts retro and cinematic. 

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Charlotte Dos Santos, “Helio” — Just as “Helio” opens with a classical feel, Charlotte Dos Santos comes in with some seriously soulful croons. The melody endlessly twists together ambient soundscapes and sultry R&B—imparting cosmic energy to Dos Santos’ curiosity for the universe. While the verses explore self-love, the track’s ethereal backdrop brings together a feeling of peace. With its graceful nature and relatable themes, “Helio” embodies the harmony between all living things.

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Chloe’s Pick: I’m a sucker for confessional lyrics, so “21” by Gracie Abrams stood out to me. Its minimal verses build to such a hypnotizing hook so gracefully. The effect balances soft-hearted sentiments and spiraling thoughts in a way that effectively represents the mind of a sensitive soul.

Follow editor Chloe Catajan at Instagram.com/riannachloe.