Yoste

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

Artists on platforms such as 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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Bear Hands, “Ignoring the Truth” — Brooklyn’s Bear Hands started off 2019 doing double duty by dropping two new singles, one of which was “Ignoring the Truth.” This cut from the post-punk indie group stirs together silky smooth synths with lead singer Dylan Rau’s seamless flow of rugged vocals and a softer falsetto. Its lyrics muse over the inevitable manifestation of uncomfortable truths, whether or not someone’s ready to hear them. That may be an appropriate message to take in for the new year.

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Yoste, “Chihiro” — The animated universes created by filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki often feature young protagonists who find strength through qualities they already possess, but haven’t fully delved into yet. Yoste’s “Chihiro,” named after the lead heroine in Spirited Away, pays homage to that mystical, coming-of-age wonder. Its bright aura of beats captures innocent curiosity and a sense of adventure, while its muted guitar melody and vocals invoke self-reflection. It finds just the right balance between staying fanciful, yet grounded.

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Mineral, “Your Body is the World” — This cut from Mineral, the Texas emo great’s second single in 20 years, is as communicative in instrumentation as it is in lyrics. “Your Body is the World” leads with a wobbly hum before breaking into an articulate guitar melody that glimmers with nostalgia. “When I was 14/ I thought you could save me,” sings vocalist-guitarist Chris Simpson over a brooding bass line, which combusts with the full band at the chorus. A reflection on faith, “Your Body is the World” preserves Mineral’s renowned expressiveness, while also remaining transparent on the band’s personal growth.

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Hedvig Mollestad Trio, “Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered” — Oslo’s Hedvig Mollestad Trio cuts straight into the grit on its latest single. Pitting the rugged fuzz of a guitar and bass against clamorous drums, the group does death metal with a twist: jazz. Just as the melody gets heavy in grime, the trio begins to break in and out of a swinging rhythm. The song is entirely instrumental, which leaves plenty of interpretation for what the grim song title implies. But based on its combination of noise and nuance, “Bewitched, Dwarfed and Defeathered” could be the holy trinity of orchestrated chaos.

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Michael Chapman featuring Bridget St. John, “After All This Time” — Even from its subtle start, the latest single from English singer-songwriter Michael Chapman tugs at the heartstrings. “After All This Time” begins with a single guitar line, rich in tone and flowing like cursive until twangy strums take over. Chapman’s rugged baritone croon meets the velvety voice of fellow English folk musician Bridget St. John. Together, the two compose a duet that goes down smooth like whiskey and intoxicates with nostalgia for a love that’s faded away.

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Chloe’s Pick: I have a soft spot for coming-of-age themes. As someone currently navigating through young adulthood, the genre is both relevant and nostalgic as it prompts a lot of reflection. Yoste’s “Chihiro” left me with a similar feeling. Through an ambient soundscape, the song captures that whimsical, yet wistful storytelling often seen in films. I also have to admit that I am a Studio Ghibli fan and felt immediately drawn to “Chihiro,” hoping it was truly a reference to Spirited Away’s young heroine. I did name my pet Boh after the mouse that becomes one of Chihiro’s sidekicks, after all. I was pleased to learn that the song was indeed inspired by the film; its magical influences definitely shine through.

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