Clockwise from top left: Chicano Batman, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Ginesse, Slow Pulp, Turnstile and Malia J.

Whether you’re listening to hardcore excellence from Turnstile, the sunny melodies of Chicano Batman or sweet grooves from Ginesse, this week’s selections are a treat for the ears. We round out the best songs of the week with Malia J, We Were Promised Jetpacks and Slow Pulp.

Malia J, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” — Nirvana’s unrelenting grunge anthem gets a makeover on this Malia J take. While harnessing the original’s angst, the cover plays up the drama with a slow and sinister burn. Malia J’s haunting vocals set the mood right away, but pure madness ensues when chilling strings and drums are thrown into the mix. Her wicked twist makes it feel as if the classic cut still has some untold stories to tell. It’s no wonder this rendition opens the 2021 film “Black Widow.”

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We Were Promised Jetpacks, “Fat Chance” — The latest release from We Were Promised Jetpacks is here to give your summer soundtrack a refresh. With a glimmering melody, “Fat Chance” opts to look at the bright side, despite life’s obstacles. Its energy is the kind that gets you excited to go out into the world and take on the days ahead. And while the lyrics soak in optimism, they still acknowledge that progress is not always linear: “I’ll calculate the odds, they aren’t in my favor/ So I’ll carry on like this, and I can make amends later.”

Slow Pulp, “Iowa” — Following the release of 2020’s Moveys, Slow Pulp has put out alternate versions of two tracks: “At It Again” and “Idaho.” The latter takes on a slowed and reverb-laden sound under a new title, “Iowa.” As if the original didn’t already sum up a heart-sinking case of numbing yourself to love, “Iowa” does so with much more ennui. Its weary riffs come through like haze—as if sending a smoke signal that’s ultimately out of reach.

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Chicano Batman, “Pastel Sunrise” — The gents of Chicano Batman are no strangers to bringing the funk and creating nothing but a good mood. Their new song, “Pastel Sunrise,” is no exception with its warped riffs mixed with the quartet’s unmistakable soul. It accompanies their latest single, “Dark Star,” bouncing a beaming contrast against the lead track’s heavier melody. Warm tones in tow, “Pastel Sunrise” lives up to its titular imagery—the perfect score for idyllic summer days.

Turnstile, “T.L.C. (TURNSTILE LOVE CONNECTION)” — From now on, if I’m ever in need of some T.L.C., I’ll only be referring to this. The latest Turnstile release feels like an adrenaline rush after spending days in a daze; in other words, a much needed energy boost. The entire EP packs a mean punch with hard-hitting drumming, riffs gone haywire and even some soulful flavor—a testament to the hardcore outfit’s commitment to pushing its sonic boundaries. It’s accompanied by a short film that burns through all four songs with action-packed visuals.

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Ginesse, “Gatorade” — Actress Cait Fairbanks, also known as Ginesse, doesn’t hold back when delivering a danceable beat. Her latest single, “Gatorade,” pulses like the walls of a nightclub—its glitzy, neon-lit video matches the energy to a T. With the title’s tongue-in-cheek reference to Mercury retrograde, the song itself discusses moving backward and returning to an old flame. Her reversed vocals are also a fun, subtle nod to the astrological phase.

Chloe’s Pick: From the visuals to the tracks themselves, Turnstile’s latest release was instant on-repeat material for me. I feel similarly to fans who’ve expressed eagerness to see how the band continues to evolve its sound. Turnstile definitely knows how to deliver in a way that just hits.

Follow editor Chloe Catajan at Instagram.com/riannachloe.