Westside Cowboy

Hallo freunde und musikliebhaber! This week’s edition of 5 Songs to Hear is all about the Reeperbahn festival, kicking off this week in Hamburg, Germany, and KCRW will be well represented by the one and only Chris Douridas. In terms of musical ethos, Reeperbahn shares our passion for discovery and breaking fresh acts, so this newsletter is brimming with bubbling young talent. 

First up, this blue-hued garage-rock indie jam from Manchester band Westside Cowboy. Click in for just the right amount of hard fuzz and broken vocals. P.S. Smash that subscribe button quick to say you were there before they broke 1k on YouTube. See Westside Cowboy jam live at Reeperbahn on September 17th. 

Léonie Pernet

Get to know experimental French artist Léonie Pernet through this simply excellent electro-synth-pop track; it manages to be as laid back and cool as it is bright and plucky. In the vid, the shuffler and her cohort represent Pernet’s artist’s statement: “A reclamation of the body, the freedom of spirit…through partying, dance.” Shuffling takes years of practice — trust us, we’ve tried — but you can still party and dance to this track live at Reeperbahn fest on September 18th. 

Meduulla

Gather the crew for an essential update, this track’s your new anthem. A joyful and cool-as-hell celebration of that special relationship with your chosen fam, this beats ‘n’ bars single is one to rhyme along to. And Manchester-based storyteller/rapper Meduulla (yes, as in “oblongata”, which is also the name of her 2023 album) is one to watch. Catch her live at Reeperbahn on September 19th. 

Natalie Bergman

Throw it back with this vintage-themed single from singer-songwriter Natalie Bergman. Perhaps the most established artist among our Reeperbahn takeover, Bergman just dropped her sophomore solo LP My Home Is Not In This World and it contains this excellently crafted, 1960s-style single with an irresistible Western swagger. Show your appreciation by dancing the electric slide when Bergman plays this track live at Reeperbahn on September 20th. 

Dressed Like Boys

Jelle Denturck is laying all the cards on the table, and lyrics like “I’ve been telling lies / to so many people / in my life…” is only the half of it. Dressed Like Boys is a highly personal musical project exploring identity, queerness, self-acceptance, and the clarity achieved through processing trauma. Count on all of the above to translate into an intensely powerful live performance at Reeperbahn on September 20th. The themes are big, but the music stands alone: assured, clear-eyed, and confidently crafted, it shows lyrical talent and an ear for composition. Traces of Elton John are discernible.