January 17th to January 23rd

Our recurring Songs of the Week column highlights the best new tracks from the last seven days. This week, we’re listening to new tunes from Avalon Emerson & the Charm, Lightning Bolt, Naomi Scott, and more.

Arima Ederra — “You’re My”

Alternative artist Arima Ederra’s upcoming album, A Rush to Nowhere, is due out on March 6th. Ahead of the album’s release, Ederra has gifted us with an insightful preview, “You’re My.” The slow-burning song reverberates with the immediacy of love, counterbalanced by dreamy, gauzy elements. “You’re My” is carried by dusty, intentional drums and gentle harmonies, giving Ederra ample space to profess her love for a partner. “If you want my intentions, I can lay them for you/ No hesitation or questions about what I’m gonna do,” Ederra sings coquettishly, her lilting voice rising ever higher to the stratosphere. — Kiana Fitzgerald

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Avalon Emerson & the Charm — “Jupiter and Mars”

Avalon Emerson has teamed up with songwriter and producer Rostam Batmanglij for her latest song, and it’s a gorgeous invitation to her upcoming album as Avalon Emerson & the Charm, Written into Changes. “Jupiter and Mars” is warm, nostalgic synth pop filtered through Emerson’s kaleidoscopic approach; the crystalline harmony on her chorus beams with clarity, ringing out against sparkling synths and acoustic guitar. Emerson wrestles with the doomed fate of a relationship by likening it to a certainty written in the stars, but eventually, she realizes that “nothing gained is nothing lost.” It’s a confident and infectious offering from the multi-hyphenate artist, whose new era looks to be as charming as ever. — Paolo Ragusa

Cardinals — “I Like You”

Rising Irish indie rockers Cardinals are finally dropping their debut album, Masquerade, next month, and “I like You,” the latest single from the record, should have fans excited. A little scuzzy, a little dramatic, and full of emotive performances, the track is Cardinals at their romantic, accordion-backed best, bringing to mind past gems like “Roseland.” I will now refrain from making a forced pun about liking the song “I Like You,” and for that, you’re welcome. — Jonah Krueger

Earth & Black Noi$e — “Divine and Bright”

In a slightly unexpected but wholly welcome turn of events, drone metal legends Earth and DJ/producer Black Noi$e have combined forces, surprise-releasing the collaborative LP Geometry of Murder: Extra Capsular Extraction Inversions. The project is a reimagining of the tracks found on Earth’s 1991 EP Extra-Capsular Extraction and their 1990 demo, which includes the Kurt Cobain-featuring “Divine and Bright,” perhaps the closest Earth ever came to writing a traditionally structured song. Black Noi$e’s new version is slowed and applies two or three additional levels of fuckery on top of the already noisy recording, and to interesting, more than worthwhile results. — J. Krueger

Gregory Uhlmann — “Lucia” (Feat. Alabaster DePlume)

Accomplished musician Gregory Uhlmann is set to return with another record under his own name in March, Extra Stars. Arriving as the lead single, “Lucia” is chock full of interesting timbres, wonderful melodies, and enough charm to summon a leprechaun. Saxophonist Alabaster DePlume’s contributions are no less impressive and immensely enjoyable. It’s the most peaceful track you’ll hear all week. — J. Krueger

Lighting Bolt — “Cloud Core”

Veteran noise rock duo Lightning Bolt have linked up with Japanese experimentalists OOIOO for a brand new split LP, The Horizon Spirals / The Horizon Final. Set to feature three numbers by OOIOO and four by Lightning Bolt, the first taste of the madness comes from the latter in the form of “Cloud Core,” an expectedly wild, relentless track of spastic drumming, distorted tones, and near unintelligible vocals. In other words, it’s another Lightning Bolt ripper. — J. Krueger

Naomi Scott —  “Losing You”

Along with the announcement of her debut album F.I.G., Naomi Scott is back with “Losing You,” a throwback R&B jam that sounds like it could have been released in 1988 or 2026. Scott, undeniably talented, shows so much restraint throughout the track, wrapping her melodies around its throbbing beat and adding just enough ache and tension. After steadily releasing music for the last decade — and appearing in films like Aladdin and Smile 2 — Naomi Scott’s debut album is an exciting prospect. — P. Ragusa

smush — “Don’t Know Why”

Fine, I’ll say it: More bands should do shoegaze covers of popular songs! New York duo smush are the latest to lean into reinterpreting beloved songs with their own dreamy spin, compiled in their upcoming covers EP, standards. Their take on Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” is vibrant, jangly, and romantic, the band appropriately turning up the volume when they soar into the chorus and staying faithful to the song’s relaxed, aching feel. If anything, smush’s rendition of “Don’t Know Why” just reinforces how great the original is — but hearing the duo use their own sonic language to highlight its beauty is a treat. — P. Ragusa