Staff Picks: Best Songs of the Week April 25th – May 1st

Every week, Consequence staffers spotlight their favorite new songs for our Songs of the Week column. This week, we’re excited about new tunes from SZA, Chanel Beads, KenTheMan, Lip Critic, and more.

Anton Pearson — “Tintinnabulation I”

“Tintinnabulation I” arrives as Squid guitarist Anton Pearson’s solo debut. A nearly seven-minute ambient composition, its energy level and overall construction may seem worlds away from the post-punk of his other project, but the creativity and left-field approach remain fully intact. With beautiful textures and an intriguing progression that holds your interest for the duration of the tune, “Tintinnabulation I” is a strong introduction to Pearson’s new sonic experiment. — Jonah Krueger

Stream “Tintinnabulation I” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Chanel Beads — “Song for the Messenger”

After Chanel Beads’ marvelous 2024 debut Your Day Will Come, the New York musician Shane Lavers is back to announce its follow-up… also titled Your Day Will Come. It’s not exactly an exercise in repetition, but as lead single “Song for the Messenger” suggests, the reprised title signals a deepening of Chanel Beads’ strangely hypnotic, otherworldly sound. The tempo remains unrushed, but Lavers’ vocals are more urgent and immediate; the surrealist hue in his lyrics brings a kind of jagged peace, something emphasized by the filtered, in-the-next-room effect on his microphone. It’s a return to form and a rebirth all at once. — Paolo Ragusa

Stream “Song for the Messenger” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Citizen — “Highs and Lows”

Citizen are back, as the Toledo rock group have announced a brand new album, Halcyon Blues (out August 7th via Run for Cover Records). The lead single, “Highs and Lows,” is as grand and anthemic as the band has ever sounded. There are synth flourishes, intense vocals, heavy guitars, and a final crescendo of catharsis in the back end. Fans of Turnstile, Militarie Gun, or the more melodic, power-pop adjacent side of hardcore likely already have plenty of familiarity with Citizen — but if not, now’s the time to tap in. — J. Krueger

Stream “Highs and Lows” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Durand Bernarr — “HELLO!”

Durand Bernarr’s 2025 album, BLOOM, won the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album. Discontent with wallowing in his win, the Cleveland artist has released his follow-up, BERNARR., a perpetually funky album that instead sees him reveling in joy in new ways. “HELLO!” is an early standout, a feel-good jam that keeps up the confident tradition of the singer-songwriter’s previous projects. Durand Bernarr sounds thrilling here as he infuses the uplifting sonic tapestry with his signature vocal acrobatics. Colorful synths and purposeful percussion come together as a mood-boosting foundation for Bernarr, who continues his mission of showing up as his full, authentic self, every day. — Kiana Fitzgerald

Stream “HELLO!” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Hammok — “Tap Water”

“Tap Water,” the latest song from Hammok’s upcoming album When Does This Place Become Our Scene, never rests. Beyond the noisy guitars, driving bass, and clattering percussion, the structure finds the act jumping between sections, grooves, and dynamics at a moment’s notice. It’s an off-kilter, disorienting listen — and I mean that in the best way possible. Really, isn’t that how noise rock is supposed to be? — J. Krueger

Stream “Tap Water” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Isaiah Rashad & SZA — “BOY IN RED”

Isaiah Rashad and SZA are among the most natural collaborators on the Top Dawg Entertainment label. Their working relationship started in 2014, with SZA’s contributions to Rashad’s excellent EP Cilvia Demo, and Rashad’s reciprocal offerings to SZA’s breakthrough EP Z. They last linked up on the 6lack-assisted “Score” from Rashad’s 2021 album The House Is Burning. Here, Isaiah Rashad continues to chase the sound that makes him happy: dusty, warm, lackadaisical, and absolutely vibed-out. When he’s not traversing the trunk-rattling South, he prefers to frolic in lush meadows with an endless supply of spliffs. SZA is in top form on “Boy in Red,” as she basks in familiar sonic territory, alongside an old friend. — K. Fitzgerald

Stream “Boy in Red” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

KenTheMan — “Popular”

KenTheMan opens her latest single, “Popular,” with ferocity: “I said, I don’t relate to bitches, hoe, we don’t got shit in common/ I don’t send no false threats, it ain’t no statement, it’s a promise.” This is the type of energy we’re used to hearing from Ken — in your fucking face — but she’s ratcheting up the overall experience. Houston producer Bigg Cuz Beats elevates his sound here, fusing the song’s disparate elements with Ken’s authoritative, commanding voice. Brash pseudo horns, booming bass, and skittering snares collide as Ken shits on her peers, with gusto. “This a whole mill’, put that thousand up.” — K. Fitzgerald

Stream “Popular” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Lip Critic — “200 Bottles on Eviction”

The New York electropunk band Lip Critic just released their sophomore album, Theft World, inspired by the absurd case of identity theft that frontman Bret Kaser endured at the hands of a Lip Critic fan who confessed to believing he solved an elaborate puzzle within their Bandcamp catalog. At the beginning of the new song, “200 Bottles on Eviction,” Lip Critic dive further into that tension with glitchy breakbeats, abrasive synths, and Kaser’s very post-punk vocal delivery (the most Grian Chatten sounding on the whole album). Halfway through the track, his vocals fall into melodic resolve as he sings, “And after all, I lost myself,” before erupting into a blink of hardcore production while shouting the lyrics, “Make your bed.” The same industrial noise, feedback, and manic shouting are revisited for the last minute of the track in a cacophony of raw aggression and paranoia, a perfect sonic response to a rather bizarre backstory. — Kelly Darroch

Stream “200 Bottles On Eviction” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Sorcha Richardson — “Grenadine”

Irish singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson is back with another affecting, open-road jam. “Grenadine” puts Richardson’s beaming voice front and center, with the instruments moving at a modest trot beneath her musings. “I used to be your catalyst,” she sings at the briefest of breaks between the second verse and her chorus, the sadness of the line leaping out with a sigh. It’s a pretty understated offering from Richardson, but even with minimal components, she manages to bring her signature clarity and warmth. — P. Ragusa

Stream “Grenadine” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz

Truthpaste — “Never Gonna Give”

The opening track to the London-based and Manchester-formed quintet’s debut EP I Don’t Know Either reveals new realms of possibilities for Truthpaste’s digital discography. While the song extends beyond the indie folk and art pop sound that online listeners have grown accustomed to, this rock and electronic driven track, blooming with guitar, synth, and their signature drum machine, provides a more accurate insight into the live show world the band has been growing for years. It opens with a cheeky line from the band’s vocalist/saxophonist, Esmé Lark, “Everyone here still says the same, your hair is shit and your art is lame,” setting the stage for a splendidly energetic four and a half minutes. The track concludes in an explosion of instruments with Lark’s mournful and unyielding tone  center stage, making you feel like you’re about to pass out in the pit. — K. Darroch

Stream “Never Gonna Give” on Apple Music | Amazon Music | Qobuz