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Discover new tracks from Wolf Alice, Chemical Brothers, Magic Castles, Little Simz and more

The Current: Music You Should Know
The Current: Music You Should KnowMPR graphic

April 29, 2021

Samples, psychedelia, hip hop and all-out rock are on the table this week as we serve six new tracks for you to discover.

Wolf Alice, "Smile"


Wolf Alice are back, and their third album, Blue Weekend, is coming out June 11. This track off the forthcoming album is a rocker — "Smile" was inspired by lead singer Ellie Rowsell's desire to fight back against those who try to define her. She said, "It's about people that make assumptions about you."

Chemical Brothers, "The Darkness That You Fear"


Sampling Caroline Ellis on The Bugaloos' "The Senses Of Our World" and John Ellison on "I'll Be Loving You" by Soul Brothers Six, The Chemical Brothers wanted to create a "hopeful piece of music." It's an introspective song with effervescent synths and spacey sound effects to welcome people back to the club scene after so long dancing alone.

Porter Robinson, "Look at the Sky"


North Carolina record producer, musician and singer Porter Robinson has build a steady legion of fans since his start in 2005. On his sophomore album, Nurture, he's looking forward to "make something good."

Magic Castles, "Lost Dimension"


The Minnesota band have been bringing their psychedelic sound around the globe. They self-released their first albums in 2008 and 2009, before Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre signed the band to his imprint A Records in 2010. It's been nearly six years since Magic Castles have released new music, and it's just as perfectly psychedelic.

Shungudzo, "It's a good day (to fight the system)"


Alexandra Shungudzo Govere, better known by as just Shungudzo, has that Midas touch. She first gained national attention as the first Black woman gymnast to represent Zimbabwe at the 1999 All-Africa Games. She graduated high school at 14, started her own non-profit at 15, was a writer and host for MTV, and was discovered by Alicia Keys' producer while she was going to school at Stanford when she posted some of her music on MySpace. Whew. And now she's releasing her debut album, I am not a mother, but I have children.

Little Simz, "Introvert"


British rapper and actress Little Simz is releasing Sometimes I Might Be Introvert on September 3. The Mercury Prize-nominated artist has won fans like Damon Albarn, Jay Z, and Kendrick Lamar through her previous three albums filled with thoughtful lyrics delivered with furious intensity.