Staff Picks: Best Songs of the Week January 3rd – January 9th

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 August Ponthier, Lala Lala, and more.

August Ponthier — “I’m Crying, Are You?”

August Ponthier won’t be caught saying “I’m not crying, you’re crying.” No, on their new single “I’m Crying, Are You?”, Ponthier is pretty open about not being okay. The track finds them in the throes of some serious post-breakup sadness, and they’re frequently breaking down in sobs whilst in public. If it’s this bad for them, Ponthier wonders, how could the other walk away so easily? Though there’s some harrowing angst at the center of the track, Ponthier keeps things light and dreamy, never losing the touch of majesty and rewarding honesty that brought them exposure in the first place. — Paolo Ragusa

Crack Cloud — “Safe Room”

Along with the announcement of their upcoming double album, Peace and Purpose, Canadian post-punkers Crack Cloud have shared the new song “Safe Room.” It’s a softer, more melancholic side of the often raucous group, featuring sequenced drums, acoustic guitar chords, and compressed, emotive vocals. In a statement on the creation of Peace and Purpose, frontman Danny Choy highlighted the record’s DIY construction and grief-stricken tone — two aspects that “Safe Room” more than effectively displays. — Jonah Krueger

Haute & Freddy — “Dance the Pain Away”

Are you on the Haute & Freddy hype train yet? Don’t worry, there’s still time. See “Dance the Pain Away,” the latest banger set to appear on their upcoming debut Big Disgrace (out on March 13th). “Dance the Pain Away” is an ’80s-indebted dance pop cut that demonstrates exactly what Haute & Freddy are after: high drama, pulsing poise, and dance floor catharsis. Fans of Chappell Roan, Caroline Kingsbury, or The Knocks & Dragonette’s recent collaborative album will be all over Haute & Freddy, who present an almost utopian vision of pop music in their era-blending approach. — P. Ragusa

Lala Lala — “Even Mountains Erode”

One of two lead singles that Lala Lala — the indie rock/pop project of songwriter Lillie West — dropped this week in anticipation of her Sub Pop debut Heaven 2, “Even Mountains Erode” cultivates an intoxicating sonic world via an infectious drum groove, piercing piano notes, and swirling, ethereal production. It’s a compelling, restrained offering that pairs well with the auto-tuned “Heaven2” and the brighter previously-released track “Does This Go Faster?” — J. Krueger

Mandy, Indiana — “Cursive”

“Cursive” is a song that’s impossible to listen to and remain sitting still. Between the barrage of drum tones, pulsing rhythms, wailing lines of feedback (?), deadpan French vocals, and wild synth arpeggios, the latest from Mandy, Indiana is an unhinged banger in the truest sense of both words: “unhinged” and “banger.” Here’s to hoping the rest of their upcoming LP, URGH, is as infectiously exhilarating. — J. Krueger

Shaking Hand — “Cable Ties”

“Cable Ties” serves as the extended, epic conclusion for Shaking Hand’s upcoming self-titled debut. Over the course of almost nine minutes, there are off-kilter guitar lines, building crescendos, multiple dynamic shifts, noisy breakdowns, and the type of punk-rooted post-rock goodness that’ll tickle the fancy of fans of acts like Slint, Mogwai, early Black Country, New Road, or even last year’s excellent release from Hesse Kassel, La Brea. — J. Krueger

Storey Littleton — “January”

New York singer-songwriter Storey Littleton has announced her debut album, At a Diner, out on February 6th. She’s also shared a gem of a new single, “January,” which tracks a tenuous love triangle with patient, tender songwriting. Littleton’s shimmering voice rises above reverb-drenched guitars, harp, and trotting harmonies for a gorgeous offering. When Littleton sighs, “He’ll give you a baby/ Then he’ll want you to want me,” the yearn is real. — P. Ragusa