Best Songs of the Week

"Shadow" is the product of Jack Antonoff, the lead guitarist of fun., spending the past year building a song piece by piece, but you wouldn't know it by listening. The song bursts with the kind of energy from showy '80s rock (think "Under Pressure") mixed with anthemic pop and little hints of modern production. The result is one of the catchiest songs that doesn't get tired after a few listens. Read more about the song here.—Confusion

When I try to describe to others why I love BANKS so much, I often find myself ending with, "and her lyrics just hit you in the most visceral way." It's probably because I am a woman, but I think a lot of what makes BANKS such a powerful artist to me, is that I relate to her message. When she's pissed or sad or missing someone, I get it. "Goddess" is her most emotionally raw, addressing a former lover that clearly didn't appreciate his other half enough. There aren't many women who wouldn't feel the impact of the message: "You should've crowned her, cause she's a goddess, you never got this." —Katie K.

21 and Jon Waltz are both from Memphis, but they've got very different styles. 21 brings a fluid delivery and lyrical intensity, and Jon Waltz favors a more melodic, laid back flow. On "Save My Soul" they complement eachother nicely. With so much Southern hip-hop focusing on the trap sound geared towards the club, it's refreshing to hear two young rappers with a more thoughtful approach.—Confusion

British duo Hockeysmith has the potential for big things. Their debut EP on Double Denim is out May 26, and both songs that we've heard from it have been great in different ways. "But Blood" was a tense slow-builder, but "Hesitate" grabs you from the beginning, with the crisp, clear vocals giving no hint as to the industrial drones and even masive synths that come in later.—Constant Gardner

Chance The Rapper has already proven that he's great rapper, and that he likes to experiment with interesting production. Acid Rap is a thorough mosaic of his many influences. So his latest, "I Am Very, Very Lonely," seems like a natural progression as he grows as an artist, playing with his voice and channeling a mellower side. It might surprise fans used to Chance's high energy, but in the right mood, this melancholy vibe sinks in.—Joyce

Mitchell Stevens took his time crafting the first Cholombian EP. But like the music he makes, the slow burn is worth the wait. "Shelter Me" features Florida rapper Gee and is the first single off Cholombian's Saccharine EP. The synths rotate slowly around twitching percussion, coming in and out of shadow underneath Gee's verse. Lush orchestration and a very real patience distinguish "Shelter Me" from the rest of the week and keep London on the forefront of electronic music. Saccharine will be released in full June 9 on Silver Bear Recordings.—Crax

On Tobacco's latest song, "Father Sister Berzerker," the last word of its title will strike you the most upon your first listen. According to the dictionary, the phrase refers to "an ancient Norse warrior who fought with frenzied rage in battle, possibly induced by eating hallucinogenic mushrooms." Thankfully, Tobacco's track does nothing to veer from this narrative. Its textures are both brutal and bejeweled, enveloping us in the angry, psychedelic confusion of its namesake and relenting only at the last second. When I wrote about this track a few days ago, I said, "Simply put, it's a monster of a song." 40 listens later, the sentiment bears repeating.—Gus Turner