On Thursdays, we roll out six new songs once a week, and as we're nearing the halfway mark of 2022, we're putting together the 50 best songs of the year so far. Follow along the entire week of June 6 as we reveal 10 tracks each day.

Big Thief, “Simulation Swarm”

When we had the Brooklyn band Big Thief into The Current studio for a session, it was clear that they were on a level of understanding with each other that was rare. That synergy is clear with the new album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You. In fact, drummer James Krivchenia said of the recording process, “We all just scattered about the room without headphones, focused and in the music — you could feel that something special was happening.”

Mitski, “The Only Heartbreaker”

A frantic '80s beat flutters with anixety on Mitski's latest single "The Only Heartbreaker." Released with the announce of a new album, Laurel Hell (released February 4), the single debates the qualities of the dumper in the end of the relationship. Mitski brought in songwriter to the stars (and Minnesota Native) Dan Wilson (the Semisonic star who has written with Taylor Swift and Adele, just to name a few) to help her reach the depths of sadness in being the relationship "bad guy."

Father John Misty, “Funny Girl”

It seems like Father John Misty has spent his downtime listening to some Frank Sinatra and Harry Nilsson. The moody singer is channeling some smokey, shadowy, dank bar with one-spotlight vibes on "Funny Girl." The new album, Chloë and the Next 20th Century, came out in April.

Bartees Strange, “Heavy Heart”

When I last spoke to Bartees Strange, he was praising his forethought in building out his own studio. It allowed him to do what he loved most, mess around with music — whether that was by working with other artists on their albums or playing with his own songs. That ability to play around inside of a song has been shown in Strange's affection for covers, but now that he's got a full album under his belt (2020's Live Forever) and a new label (4AD) backing him, that confidence shines through in the new single that is entirely his own. A mix of hip hop bravado, colorful splashes of indie rock, and solid guitar solos forecasts exciting music ahead.

Neko Case, “Oh, Shadowless”

Neko Case's gift is that of the pharmakon — the poison and the cure. Her lyrics will cut you wide open while her voice is so sweet that it's an instant balm. The compilation album Wild Creatures is a wonderful deep dive into the voice and career of Case with new artwork, essays and track-by-track commentary celebrating Case's two decades of solo work. "Oh Shadowless" is a gorgeous addition, it's a lullaby that's equally dark and sweet.

Jack White, “Taking Me Back”

When Jack White puts out new music, we listen. It's been about four years since the last solo music was released and, surprisingly, it took a video game to get White back in the game. Call of Duty has a new release and, apparently, reached out to White and he was suitably inspired to write not one, but two versions of a song for the occasion. There is the rocking take-no-prisoners shredder version of "Take Me Back," but there's also the acoustic Americana version, "Take Me Back (Gently)." Both fill a certain niche for White fans (and possibly the gamers too).

papa mbye, “PASSENGER”

There's a wonderful experimental rap-rock-pop scene in the Twin Cities, a bit of continuation of the Minneapolis sound that has morphed and changed through the decades. One of the frontrunners of the movement is Papa Mbye. The artist has a new song, "Passenger," a song about keeping watch and keeping momentum no matter what happens.

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.

Gang of Youths, “In The Wake Of Your Leave”

The Australian band took the pandemic as a time to rethink their sound and to overhaul themselves artistically. They were able to leave expectations aside and make music that came from creative exploration in the studio. The album seems to be mostly a look at lead singer David Le'aupepe's loved ones: the night he met his wife, his grandfather's secret past, as well as funerals and family gatherings.

Hurray For The Riff Raff, “RHODODENDRON”

New Orleans-based artist Alynda Segarra has returned with her project Hurray for the Riff Raff. The album, Life on Earth, announced with a new song, "Rhododendron," highlights the laconic and almost amused vocal delivery of Segarra (several places have likened it to a Lou Reed style). The song is about being in nature and having  a "mind expansion. A psychedelic trip. A spiritual breakthrough." 

Spoon, “Wild”

The raw denim rock on Spoon's album, Lucifer On The Sofa, wears well. "Wild" is a thumping heartbeat to center a road trip on — one of those songs to start over again as soon as it finishes.

Florence + The Machine, “King”

The siren of cinematic ballads is back. A tease of tarot cards sent to some superfans hit social media earlier this year with images of a lounging Florence Welch staring in the distance in her trademark flowing ensemble with the words "king" below. The soaring vocals and dramatic, swooping music is a welcome return.

Kendrick Lamar, “The Heart Part 5”

He's got a Pulitzer, multiple chart toppers and Grammys. He's performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, and his ravenous fan base jumps at any tease that there might be new music. Well, fans: relax, the new Kendrick Lamar, Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers, released May 13. The fifth album's first single is "The Heart Part 5," where a mysterious dance beat undercuts the vibrant machine-gun delivery of Lamar's heartfelt look at "the culture."

Phoebe Bridgers, “Sidelines”

Phoebe Bridgers fans take note: "Sidelines" was released with the warning that it will be the only original new song from Bridgers this year. The song was written for the new Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney's "Conversations with Friends."

Toro Y Moi, “Postman”

Do you wait for something fun to arrive in the mail and find disappointment with junk mail and bills? Chaz Bear, aka Toro Y Moi, is back with his Southern-style chillwave. The gentle sounds of "Postman" welcome him back along with the new album, Mahal.

Angel Olsen, “All The Good Times”

Written as a reflection of the time “[Angel] Olsen was coming out as queer, and having her first experience of queer love and heartbreak,” and coming out to her parents, Big Time is bound to be an emotional album. The first single, "All The Good Times," deals with conflicting impulses, feeling broken, feeling sorry, and not wanting to apologize.

The Black Keys, “Wild Child”

Like a blast of rockin' breeze on a summer day, here comes "Wild Child" from Black Keys. It's fizzy and refreshing; and with 10 albums under their belt, it's hard to keep sounding this new while still sounding like the Black Keys. Maybe it was the injection of several collaborators like Billy F. Gibbons (ZZ Top), Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound), and Angelo Petraglia (Kings of Leon) all at the same time in the same studio. The full album, Dropout Boogie, released on May 13.

Phoenix, “Alpha Zulu”

"Woo ha, Singing Hallelujah" is the spirited chorus lead-off on the new single from  Phoenix. The French band are working on putting out a new album, and released their first music in two years, “Alpha Zulu.” According to a release, frontman Thomas Mars was inspired to write the track by the phrase “alpha zulu,” which he “heard a pilot repeating over the radio during a turbulent flight in a storm.”

Rex Orange County, “Keep It Up”

The British artist left lockdown and traveled to Amsterdam to meet up with Benny Sings and to collaborate on songs that would become, Who Cares? The album is anthemic and joyful, with positivity bursting from the orchestral driven song, "Keep It Up." 

The Cactus Blossoms, “Everybody” feat. Jenny Lewis

Home recordings during lockdown fill One Day, the latest album from Minnesota natives The Cactus Blossoms, with a relaxed and warm atmosphere. That comfort washes through songs like "Everybody," which adds in the vocals of Jenny Lewis. It's a contemplative take on current events, but it never loses its sweetness and dusty glow.

Arcade Fire, “The Lightning I, II”

With a teasing postcard saying "We Missed You," Arcade Fire announced their first new song since they began teasing a new album in 2020. "The Lightning I,II" is an epic — it's a journey of a song that keeps growing and changing. It's one part Bruce Springsteen, one part The Killers, and its lyrics crawl into your ear and find a home so easily you'll be singing along before the song is over.

Lucius, “Next To Normal”

Before sitting down to create their third album, Lucius spent some time making music with pop hitmaker Harry Styles, balladeers The War on Drugs, and singer-songwriter and producer Brandi Carlile. They were also touring with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters. Spending time with so many artists opened up their own sound, allowing for songs like the disco infused "Next to Normal."

Built To Spill, “Gonna Lose”

While touring in Brazil with the Brazilian psych-rock band Oruã, Doug Martsch (the force behind Built to Spill) found inspiration and collaborators. The product of that fortuitous tour is the new Built to Spill album, When the Wind Forgets Your Name (out September 9). Martsch shared that “I had an incredible time traveling and recording with Almeida and Casaes. I also learned so much about Brazilian culture and music while creating it. My Portuguese was terrible when I first met Almeida and Casaes, but by the end of the year it was even worse.” The first release, "Gonna Lose" may be familiar to longtime fans, but it has been reworked and recorded in its rumbling and rocking new form.

M.I.A., “The One”

M.I.A. has been teasing a new record since last year when she shared some new music as part of a charity NFT auction. The first song of the forthcoming MATA is effervescent electro-pop that reflects what the artist recently shared in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music 1: "I was in a really happy place. And I know that it was the pandemic, and kind of everything was hitting the fan, but I’d got to a place that was really happy. I did want to make that nice, happy record."

Amber Mark, “Bliss”

Four years after her EP landed, Amber Mark is ready to release her debut record, Three Demensions Deep. The New Yorker has been slowly building a following with her crying-on-the-dance-floor jams.

Charli XCX, “New Shapes” feat. Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek

Charli XCX has always been a pop artist with indie cred and chart-topping abilities, a Sia for Gen Z. On "New Shapes," Charli XCX pulls in fellow indie-pop stars Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek. It's a disco ball of sadness while the singers explain why they can't be what their partners want them to be.

Fontaines D.C., “Roman Holiday”

Some of the best songs are about the enjoying the simple moments in life, and that seems to be the inspiration for the latest single from Fontaines D.C.'s album Skinty Fia, "Roman Holiday." Grian Chatten of the band said, “‘Roman Holiday’ makes me think of the wide streets of north London in the summer and the urge to discover them at nighttime. The thrill of being a gang of Irish people in London with a bit of a secret language and my first flat with my girlfriend.”

Maggie Rogers, “That’s Where I Am”

Poorly timed love confessions, friend-zoned, but ultimately requited love. It's a rom-com in song form as Maggie Rogers returns with a new song, "That's Where I Am." The bouncing tune is on her forthcoming Surrender album, which will be out July 29.

Poliça, “Alive”

Poliça, fronted by chanteuse Channy Leaneagh and boasting two drummers, are typically defined by those percussive forces and the layered use of Leaneagh's voice as almost another instrument. The new single, "Rotting," is a left turn from that expectation. The group brought in Berlin-based techno artist Dustin Zahn for an electronic sound that is dark and throbbing like a strobe-lit nightclub.

Adia Victoria, “Ain’t Killed Me Yet”

A Southern Gothic came out just last year, but already Adia Victoria is releasing more new music. "Ain't Killed Me Yet" was written during a period of 2020 when Victoria said "there was little to celebrate." Without a tour to make money, she took a job at Amazon to pay her bills, and while driving to the warehouse she thought, "Life ain't killed me yet." Victoria said the song "is the blues existentialism pared down to its bones. It is the irreverent celebration of those who meet life on their own terms. When the future is uncertain, the immediacy of the pleasures and vagrancies of the now is all that matters." 

Metric, “All Comes Crashing”

Metric's last album, Art of Doubt, came out in 2018 and was about imposter syndrome to some extent — an artist’s pondering what the value of that art was worth. After some down time and a pandemic, the Canadian act are back with new art and talking about everything falling apart and the aftermath of destruction.

Wilco, “Falling Apart (Right Now)”

Jeff Tweedy takes this music-making seriously. He wakes up and goes to work, so it's no surprise that there's new music in a year where he's also jumping on stage with side project Golden Smog and touring around the 20th anniversary of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The 12th album from Wilco is Cruel Country; it's Tweedy and the band going all in on an album that they have felt assigned to, but never fully embraced. The songs were recorded to try and capture a live feel, and that loose and free energy comes across in "Falling Apart (Right Now)."

Beach House, “Once Twice Melody”

Beach House decided to produce their latest album, Once Twice Melody, entirely by themselves for the first time (and recorded it in part at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota). They have always been a band who live in their own creative world, a soundscape that is distinctively their own. They brought in a live string ensemble, and that live movement gives even more fluidity to the floating daydream of sound on "Once Twice Melody."

Chastity Brown, “Wonderment”

During the lockdown and quarantine in the last few years, Minneapolis musician Chastity Brown wrote nearly 100 songs. On her sixth album, Sing to the Walls, she pulled together 10 tracks that speak to optimism and possibilities yet to come. The song "Wonderment" came from Brown "beginning to have feeling for someone and had no idea how [she] would be affected. But [she] leaned into it and thus allowed [her]self the wonderment of it all.”

Cloud Cult, “One Way Out Of A Hole”

Just the other day, someone emailed me saying they missed hearing new music from Cloud Cult. The Minnesota band must have felt that pull, because they just announced their first new album in six years, Metamorphosis. With the announcement, they released "One Way Out Of A Hole"; the song was written pre-pandemic, but the band played it during a quarantine livestream, and their idea of trying to reach out and not feel so alone resonated.

Lizzo, “About Damn Time”

Celebrate good times with the world’s best friend and party starter: Lizzo. The star that emerged from the chrysalis of the Twin Cities music scene to worldwide acclaim has now starred on Saturday Night Live as both the host and musical guest. The first new song, "About Damn Time," is a glittering rally cry for joy and finding pleasure in the here and now.

Regina Spektor, “Becoming All Alone”

The sweet sadness that clings to Regina Spektor’s voice is a welcome balm in 2022. In her first new song since 2016, "Becoming All Alone," Spektor laments the unkind and unfair, and tries to find some understanding — even asking God to grab a beer to chat about it.

Robert Glasper, “Black Superhero”

Robert Glasper has won multiple Grammys and Emmys; the composer and producer made history with Black Radio as the first album to debut in the top 10 of four different genre charts simultaneously: Hip Hop, R&B, Urban Contemporary, Jazz and Contemporary Jazz, as did the follow-up album Black Radio 2. This week he's back with Black Radio 3, and it's another celebration of Black joy, love, and resilience.

HAIM, “Lost Track”

The sisters HAIM are never ones to shy away from a creative challenge. So when director Paul Thomas Anderson (who recently directed sister Alana Haim in his movie Licorice Pizza) asked the sisters to come up with a new song for a music video, they took a line that had been living in lyric purgatory — "I'll never get back what I lost track of" — and finally gave it a home. They "were inspired by the idea of someone doing something so drastic to get out of a situation they felt uncomfortable in — just to feel something," then they wrote, recorded, and filmed a music video for the song, all in just a few days. 

The Weeknd, “Gasoline”

An album of experimentation from the Canadian star is already being talked about as a contender for album of the year (a bold statement for an album released the first week of 2022). We'll have to wait and see about staying power, but it's an album that’s worth the conversation.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Spitting Off The Edge of The World” feat. Perfume Genius

Nine years since the last Yeah Yeah Yeahs album and not a step feels missed with the band back together for their fifth album, Cool It Down. It's as energetic, empathetic, sincere, and, as they recently told The Guardian, silly as anything that they have released before. A moment of defiance, thinking about ecological disaster and making music "in defiance of ruin. It was [the band] wanting to convey to [their] child that all's not lost."

FKA Twigs, “Tears In The Club” feat. The Weeknd

Much of the music for 2022 is about finding joy and working through pain, and the 17-song mixtape from FKA Twigs is just that. In an interview late last year with the BBC, she shared that, "[she] spent so much time in darkness with that in lockdown I’ve been missing my friends and going out, getting ready, and dancing. I’ve wanted to make music for the people closest to me that I love.”

Belle and Sebastian, “Unnecessary Drama”

With a forceful rush of percussion and a shimmering harmonic solo, 2022 welcomes the return of Belle and Sebastian with "Unnecessary Drama." It's a song for anyone who's having a hard time adjusting back to being with people. As frontman Stuart Murdoch says, “The song is about a young person experimenting in being a human again after a forced hiatus. The person is weighing up whether or not it’s worth the mess! Still, you dip your toe in and it becomes delicious, and you get too much of it. Between trouble and nothing, we still choose the trouble.”

Harry Styles, “As It Was”

The first song from Harry Styles' thrid solo record, Harry's House, has already broken Spotify streaming records to become the most streamed song in the U.S. in a single day in Spotify history. It's a swirling and dreamy song full of longing and nostalgia.

Moise, “Cellphone Receiver”

Minnesota musician Moise spent the pandemic focused on creating new music and has already released part one of a two-part album that's due later this year. BBC 1 has already proclaimed him as a "Future Artist," so now is a good time to get to know his music a little better.

Sharon Van Etten, “Mistakes”

It's hard to avoid doomscrolling in 2022, a year of upheaval, destruction, and arguments abounding. Sharon Van Etten's new album, We've Been Going About This All Wrong, is "designed to be listened to in order, at once, so that a much larger story of hope, loss, longing and resilience can be told." 

Rosalia, “La Fama” feat. The Weeknd

Grammy-winner Rosalia is sharing music from her album, Motomami, which released March 18. It's a more experimental and aggressive sound from the Spanish singer, as evidenced on her new track, "La Fama."

Ezra Furman, “Forever In Sunset”

Ezra Furman once told me that living as a trans person in the world is constantly rattling a cage. The reoccurring themes of running away, getting in a car and driving away from everything, that escape to freedom is something that she longs for. The new album, All of Us Flames is, according to Furman, "a first person plural album. It’s a queer album for the stage of life when you start to understand that you are not a lone wolf, but depend on finding your family, your people, how you work as part of a larger whole. I wanted to make songs for use by threatened communities, and particularly the ones I belong to: trans people and Jews."

Nilüfer Yanya, “Midnight Sun”

The second album from London based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya is a twitchy and glitchy expression of enduring pain and experiencing life. PAINLESS showed a growth in experimentation and subtlety in the young artist.

Wet Leg, “Too Late Now”

Wet Leg, the buzzy duo from the Isle of Wight, were impossible to ignore in the lead-up to their debut self-titled release earlier this year. While “Chaise Longue” received a lot of well-deserved attention, other tracks on the album, like the introspective “Too Late Now,” prove Wet Leg are definitely worth a deeper listen.

Playlist