This week brings a surprise new single from Lucy Dacus, as well as new songs from Arlo Parks, Calexico, and Tank and the Bangas. Plus, discover Samm Henshaw and hear the latest from the Mason Jennings-helmed project, Painted Shield.

Lucy Dacus, “Kissing Lessons”

A rocker from Lucy Dacus called "Kissing Lessons"? Yes, please. The song was teased through some clever guerrilla marketing with a call-in number to hear the song. It's another nostalgic song that could easily have found a home on her last record, Home Video, but it's a welcome addition to 2022.

Arlo Parks, “Softly”

Fresh off being one of the most talked-about artists in the last year, with BRIT and Mercury Prize wins and two Grammy nominations, Arlo Parks is back with a new song. It's just as delicate and dramatic as the songs on her debut, Collapsed in Sunbeams. Parks said about the song, "'Softly' is a song about yearning, about how fragile you feel in the dying days of a relationship when you’re still desperately in love. The song is about how it feels to brace yourself before the blow of a breakup and reminisce about the days where it all felt luminous."

Calexico, “El Mirador”

Raise your hand if you need some musical positivity. Arizona band Calexico were feeling the same way while making their 10th album, El Mirador (out April 8). “El Mirador is dedicated to family, friends and community,” says Calexico co-founder Joey Burns. “The pandemic highlighted all the ways we need each other, and music happens to be my way of building bridges and encouraging inclusiveness and positivity. That comes along with sadness and melancholy, but music sparks change and movement.”

Samm Henshaw, “Enough”

The son of a reverend, Samm Henshaw was fed a steady diet of gospel growing up. He name drops Lauryn Hill and Marvin Gaye as influences, and has toured with Chance the Rapper, so there is a deep love for American music across genres. His debut record, Untidy Soul, came out at the end of January, and it's a fun and soulful introduction to Henshaw.

Tank and the Bangas, “No ID”

New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas gained attention with their Tiny Desk Concert full of high energy and fun. That raw talent garnered the band a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2020 after the release of major-label debut, Green Balloon. A new album is on the way, Red Balloon, coming out May 13. There's some Fugees vibes flowing in their first song, "No ID." 

Painted Shield, “Dead Man’s Dream”

Minnesota artist Mason Jennings has spent the last few years making music with some famous friends: Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam), Matt Chamberlain (Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians), and Brittany Davis. The rocker, "Dead Man's Dream" will be on the collective's new project, Painted Shield 2, out April 22.

Playlist