Check out a new collaborative release from 80s giants Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys, and hear new songs from Valerie June, Weezer, and Alice Merton. Plus, get revved up with Yam Haus’s Minnesota entry to American Song Contest, and groove to reggae performer Koffee’s song for peace and hope.

Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys, “Purple Zone”

The '80s bands have always been fans of each others’ work, but last year Pet Shop Boys went to one of Soft Cell's concerts, and while backstage, they spoke about working together. What was originally going to be a feature on the new Soft Cell record, Happiness Not Included, became a complete collaboration when the bands got into the studio. It's a track that would fit in with either of the bands’ previous work: It's glittery enough for the dance floor and gritty enough to relate to real life.

Valerie June, “Use Me”

She gave us a "prescription for dreamers" with her last album with plenty of aural twists and turns. Valerie June’s latest single, "Use Me," is a sweet twee-country song about loving someone and wanting to be everything for them. 

Alice Merton, “Same Team”

While we are still waiting for a second album from Alice Merton, she keeps dropping these songs that light up like fireworks. "Vertigo" was a thumping and frenetic bullet; the latest single, "Same Team," swells and keeps building with bursts of energy. It's full of paranoia and tales of betrayal.

Weezer, “A Little Bit of Love”

Weezer are never ones to shy away from a theme: covers, the "black" album, Lost. But it seems like this year they’ve taken an Earthly theme with SZNZ. This is only the first, but Spring is showing off a delicate side of the band that's been hard at this music game for three decades.

Yam Haus, “Ready to Go”

Representing our home state in the first U.S. version of the Eurovision Song Contest is Yam Haus. The pop-hook-heavy band performed their original song, "Ready to Go," live for Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson (and the live viewers) earlier this week.

Koffee, “Shine”

Grammy-winning reggae performer Koffee's debut record, Gifted, is out on Friday. The most recent song revealed from the album is an optimistic plea for peace and hope for the future in "Shine."

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