The best new songs this week come from Ethel Cain, Zulu, and more

Welcome to Sound Station, the place we’re highlighting one of the best new tracks that got here out this week. Head into the weekend with songs from Ethel Cain, Zulu, and extra.

Carlie Hanson calls out fakes and liars with “Pretender”

Ever since her arrival in 2017, Carlie Hanson has been placing out considerate, forthright songs that seize her coming-of-age expertise. Together with her new single “Pretender,” the alt-pop singer stays completely charming, assured, and honest, with the monitor centering on her battle to take care of fakeness and liars as she continues to navigate her early 20s. Secure to say, Hanson continues to be one to look at. —Neville Hardman

Zulu’s “Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did)” is a groove-centric tackle powerviolence

Finally, Zulu have revealed they’ll launch their debut full-length A New Tomorrow subsequent yr. With the announcement, they shared the pummeling first single “Fakin” Tha Funk (You Get Did).” The monitor leans on stuttering grooves, down-tuned guitars, and visceral vocal directives that really feel commanding in additional methods than one. “Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did)” beams with aggression and assertiveness that solely additional cements Zulu’s place within the higher echelon of recent hardcore. —Alessandro DeCaro

Ethel Cain pays homage to Bones and All on “well-known final phrases (an ode to eaters)”

In the event you’ve seen Luca Guadagnino’s new cannibal love story starring Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet, then it has the emotional efficiency to tear your coronary heart out of your chest and devour it. Singer-songwriter Ethel Cain was notably struck by the movie — a lot in order that she wrote and launched a track impressed by it on SoundCloud final week, virtually instantly after seeing it. It is sensible Cain was taken by the film, given its ode to the heartland and romantic tones, and all of that comes by means of on the somber ballad. Singing of an all-consuming love that retains two tragic lovers coming again to 1 one other over a mild monitor, it parallels Maren and Lee from the film. It is merely gorgeous, so let it “eat of [you], child.” —Sadie Bell

$UICIDEBOY$ staff up with Germ for bass-heavy “My Swisher Candy, however My Sig Sauer”

The Amity Affliction’s “Present Me Your God” redefines symphonic-metalcore 

On “Present Me Your God,” Australian metalcore mainstays The Amity Afflictionhave re-emerged with a darker and extra symphonic method that provides a substantial quantity of weight and triumph to their already impactful sound. Frontman Joel Birch spews venom over blast beats and frantic guitars whereas reflecting on the darkest corners of his thoughts earlier than transitioning into theatrical choral and string preparations that finally result in an anthemic refrain courtesy of bassist/vocalist Ahren Stringer. Lyrically, the track touches on loss, trauma, and making peace with the previous, and as soon as once more, the Amity Affliction provides a compelling dose of solace in universally relatable methods. —Alessandro DeCaro

Higher Strangers’ “Raincheck” is a grunge-y tackle poisonous relationships

Genesis followers will need to get hip to Higher Strangers, a Miami rock band that includes drummer Nic Collins, the son of Phil Collins. After releasing their debut single “However I Don’t Know Your Identify” earlier this yr, the band are again with one other thrilling reduce. This time, they’re cashing of their straight-ahead rock for a extra aggressive ripper. With their grunge-y new monitor “Raincheck,” Higher Strangers element the intricacies of poisonous relationships and their final turmoil, which it’s essential hear, stat. —Neville Hardman

Hippo Campus’ Zach Sutton debuts as Mono Moon with the indie bop “One Liner”

Within the Twin Cities, there’s a complete inventive household affair surrounding the indie band Hippo Campus. Whilst members of the cult-beloved group dabble in solo efforts, as they’ve over the previous couple of years, they help one another by taking part in on or producing one another. Now, bassist Zach Sutton is taking a stab at solo work, too, as Mono Moon with the debut single “One Liner” — additionally that includes Hippo members guitarist Nathan Stocker, trumpeter DeCarlo Jackson and singer Jake Luppen on manufacturing. Whereas it explores succumbing to the sensation of being needed, even when that is a bit of poisonous, it is an earworm of an indie-pop bop with a playful supply from Sutton and manufacturing that gleans. Every of Hippo’s solo initiatives have been gems, so Mono Moon is definitely one to look at. —Sadie Bell

Julia Wolf and blackbear’s “Gothic Babe Tendencies” is a candid rumination on love 

Indie-pop singer-songwriter Julia Wolf has captured her internal ruminations on the anxieties of recent love and dedication in staggering methods with “Gothic Babe Tendencies.” The ’80s-tinged ballad showcases Wolf’s breathy and soothing vocal model and invitations listeners alongside for a private journey on whether or not or to not dive headfirst into a brand new relationship, or hold herself guarded towards an inevitable heartbreak. blackbear‘s verse is a welcomed addition to the track as nicely, permitting for the pop celebrity to research his personal vulnerability by means of bouncy and upbeat vocal cadences that add a staggering distinction to Wolf’s ethereal presence. “Gothic Babe Tendencies” is the musical equal of butterflies in your abdomen when confronted with the prospect of a brand new love. —Alessandro DeCaro

An evening to recollect performs out on Snow Ellet’s candy emo single “Taking part in Useless”

Generally you simply must let the evening take you the place it could to have what finally ends up being an evening to recollect. Chicago faves Snow Ellet, who make self-described “pop punk for the indie youngsters, indie rock for the pop-punk youngsters,” monitor a night precisely like that on their newest single. Lyrically, it chronicles a home social gathering that is shut down, however the exuberance that comes with driving off laughing and ending up wanting to remain out till dawn — all of which comes by means of on the candy emo monitor produced by Sarah Tudzin of illuminati hotties. Finally, it crescendos right into a finale with an power that parallels a home social gathering — one which’s far more enjoyable than the one the band began their evening at. —Sadie Bell

One Step Nearer embrace their melodic tendencies with “Darkish Blue”

On their newest single “Darkish Blue,” Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania’s personal One Step Nearer are doubling down on their melodic tendencies to amplify their mix of traditional straight-edge hardcore additional. Vocalist Ryan Savitski has by no means sounded extra assured as a frontman with the incorporation of fresh vocals that really feel like a mixture of Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath) and Ned Russin (Title Struggle). Savitski makes use of the length of the track to mirror on the current moments of his life after a yr of grueling tour schedules and life adjustments. Instrumentally, the band has by no means sounded tighter, as nicely — with dueling guitars, commanding drum rhythms, and a palpable sense of urgency. “Darkish Blue” will depart you wanting extra as quickly because the monitor stops. —Alessandro DeCaro

Ellise conjures a dark-pop spell with “Did It Damage”

Ellise specializes within the sort of sultry, darkish pop that made the world fall in love with artists like Billie Eilish. In below three minutes, Ellise tells a narrative of twisted however intoxicating love-hate relationships overtop of a thumping bass on the refrain. Followers of Mothica, DeathbyRomy and Maggie Lindemann will discover so much to like with this gripping reduce. —Neville Hardman