Robyn - “Talk To Me”

Undisputed queen of the dancefloor, Robyn, is BACK, baby! After a seven-year hiatus, the Swedish icon has blessed us with a release of Dopamine — yes, the headrush hormone of good feels, but that’s also the name of the album — touché. And this lead track sets the tone, with Robyn’s unmistakable soprano alighting over a dancefloor-ready BPM, irresistible synth keys, and shoulder bumpin’ central beat. Don’t miss the video for everything you love from Robyn, all dressed in leather.

Kelsey Lu - “Running To Pain”

Come to your seaside catharsis thanks to this brilliant single+cinematic video from Kelsey Lu, back with the much anticipated sophomore effort to her 2019 debut, Blood. She cites “surrender” as a central theme of this dreamscape-summiting song, an energized anthem of giving in to the emotional abyss. Featuring symphonic touches, an electronic backbone, and layers of Lu’s warm, safe vocals, this Jack Antonoff-produced single is your Spring '26 playlist leader.

Chanpan - “buzzin”

We love an electronic track that simply leaves you with no choice but to move in a specific, even frenetic bodily pattern — and this buzzy track from NYC outfit Chanpan does exactly that, taking control of your hips and shoulders like an RC controller. About this track, there’s something from the artist that’s too good not to share: "buzzin was born from a sample of a video of a sex toy buzzing.” What more can we say? Crank it up.

Emperor X - “Praise Jesus! Hail Reagan!”

Have a side of political/societal commentary with your acoustic singer-songwriter tune with this incisive track. In a nice, clean form of inverse meaning, Chad Matheny, who's been making music as Emperor X since 1998, critiques the Christian Nationalism he grew up around with exacting, pithy lyricism on evangelistic marketing, “City Upon a Hill” exceptionalist rhetoric, and a whole lotta contradictions. Hit play, listen closely, and join the conversation.

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KCRW Partner Screening: I Swear

KCRW and Sony Pictures Classics invite you to an advance screening of I Swear, followed by a conversation with writer-director Kirk Jones and actor Robert Aramayo.

I Swear is the inspiring, extraordinary life story of notable Tourette's Syndrome activist John Davidson, MBE. Kirk Jones’ emotionally engaging, funny, and compelling film charts John Davidson’s Tourette's diagnosis at the age of 14 years old. Set within 1980s Britain, the story follows him throughout his troubled teens and early adulthood, and explores this little-known and entirely misunderstood condition, along with his attempts to live a ‘normal’ life against the odds.

Fire-Toolz - "Balam =^..^= Says IPv09082024 Strawberry Head"

Be warned, this one’s not for the faint of heart or the easily startled. This track is loud, immersive, and commanding. It features a melody plucked out in bright keys that would be at home in a video game or over an anime’s credits — the rest of the production is a decidedly maximalist mashup of scream-o vocals, dissonant soundscapes, impossible percussion, and everything-at-once-ism. Fire-Toolz herself calls the track “scathing and painful," so listen with caution.