Category: Single Of The Week

Single of the Week: “Six Shades Of Grey” by Lindsey Troy

I’ve come to realize that the “Single of the Week” column has accidentally become my own, personal diary. Maybe because when a song clicks with me, it’s generally directly pointed at something I’m going through. This one is “good” but hard- I’ve been “re”diagnosed with OCD recently, and I’m just starting some rather intense and focused OCD treatment. And it’s painful and scary, and learning how to exist without trying to control the utter randomness of life feels pretty impossible. And it’s “weird.” Even my therapist called my symptoms “interesting.” Fuck. But it really sounds like former Deap Vally frontwoman Lindsey Troy gets it, and gets that it’s such a weird and complex ailment that has been overly simplified as someone who likes to keep things clean. (I wish my OCD did this.)

“Six Shads Of Grey” can be enjoyed in all the usual places. Hoping to get to hear more this year from her! 

Single of the Week: “Buscando un Novio” by LA DOÑA

I suspect anyone who reads this column every week is, like me, broken-hearted over the news about Cesar Chavez. And if you don’t know what happened, just remember the key phrase: “Every man will disappoint you.” Likely even me. That being said, the latest La Dona is a fun little cut with an extra cute video that is also very empowering. I love it, and it’s really giving life to a dark week. 

“Buscando un Novio” is the third single from La Dona’s upcoming release, Corrientes. Follow her for up-to-date info on this release! 

Single of the Week: “Undefeated Champion” by Melanie C

My favorite Spice Girl was always… Emma Bunton. Sorry. But the best voice in the Spice Girls? Hands down, it’s Melanie C, aka Sporty. Her voice is a monster, and the way it dances around this classic disco “you are your own legend” number that could’ve come out anytime in the last 50 years and may mean a lot more in 2026 than it has in a while, thanks to the ass backwards, anti-trans sentimenent that’s permeating through our country and makes me so very angry. So, yeah, this cishet male needs a solid, classic queer anthem to lift even myself through this hell. 

“Undefeated Champion” is the latest single from Sweat, Melanie C’s first solo record in 6 years. Preorders are happening. AND A WORLD TOUR WAS JUST ANNOUNCED! Tickets on sale next week! Sign up here to get your presale code. 

Single of the Week: “Barstow” by Jena Malone

The name Jena Malone is familiar. And, yes, she is “that” Jena Malone. But none of that matters, because “Barstow” is a dissonant piece of melancholia that calls to mind Meredith Monk or Imogen Heap- stunning layers of vocals, processed into despair, and it’s just plain chilling. A gorgeous piece of work, and an amazing way to reintroduce the world to Jena Malone. 

“Barstow” is the first song off the upcoming and brilliantly named Flowers For Men, May 8th. She’s also hitting the road, and tickets are available here. 

Single of the Week: “You Went Way Too Long” by The Womack Sisters

It took me less than 5 seconds to pick this as single of the week. That organ line immediately sent shivers down my spine. The classic Stax buildup brought you straight into some stunning, emotive vocals by three women who are, yes, Bobby Womack’s nieces. 

“You Went Way Too Long” is the latest single from new Daptone Records signees, The Womack Sisters. They are headed out this Summer playing amphitheaters with Thee Sacred Souls, which is impressive for a group with only 3 tracks out. 

Single of the Week: “My Life” by Julia Cumming

Sunflower Beam had been progressively getting heavier with each record. So, when this track dropped as the solo debut from Julia Cumming, I was surprised to hear a delightful, almost musical theater-referencing gem of a piano pop song. “My Life” is an infectious earworm, driven by piano and complete with an Edgar Wright-directed video that might be a little too twee for some folks, but just enough bubbly joy for me. 

Julia, the debut full-length from Julia Cumming, is dropping April 24th. Preorders are happening NOW! 

Single of the Week: “Cult Daddy” by ill peach

ill peach is a songwriting trio that has written songs with Hayley Kiyoko, Miya Folick, and Big Freedia, to name a few SP favourites. Despite all these names, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional and sonic thunder that is “Cult Daddy.” A brutal satire of religious cults that hits very hard in the face of the scariest Christian right movement in modern history. 

“CULT DADDY” is available for streaming and purchase here. I look forward to hearing more from them. 

Single of the Week: “BLEACH” by Ecca Vandal

Yup. This is Ecca Vandal’s second single of the week appearance in less than a year. AND STILL NO ALBUM NEWS!??!?! AND STILL NO BAY AREA DATE?!?!?!?!?! “BLEACH” is a little less metal yet, somehow a lot heavier and harder. Ecca Vandal is the reigning queen of industrial music, keeping it chaotic, dark, and weird. And that lofi, pre-rock piano breakdown at the 2:30 mark before it turns into a rap song? CHILLS! 

You can access “BLEACH” via all the usual places. NOW MAKE HER FINISH THAT RECORD SO SHE CAN COME TO OAKLAND! WE WILL MOSH FOR HER!!!

 

Single Of The Week: “Funny Music” by Gelli Haha

An odd thing about getting older- I used to be heavily averse to electronic music. However, in the last few months, I have kept hearing electronic music with a solid amount of humanity, and I LOVE IT. This Gelli Haha track snuck out last year, and I totally missed it. This song is really making my week, and energizing me in all the right ways. I also get the feeling that this one is gonna be a really fun live show. 

“Funny Music” is off Gelli Haha’s latest record, Switcheroo, which is available to bring joy to your eardrums AND your booty  NOW. The band is also hitting the road for their first ever headlining tour, and tickets JUST WENT ON SALE TODAY! 

Single of the Week: “Ultivatum Cultivation” by plantoid

So, I have no idea what’s going on with that song title. I googled “Ultivatum” and can only find, um, this song. That being said, the pretentious, overtly prog-rock song title is hiding what can only be said is a glorious psych-pop song. Somewhere, swimming in the LSD-infused lake alongside The Flaming Lips and Spacemoth (the latter I’m 90% sure has never touched a drug in her life) is plantoid, and their latest single, “Ultivatum Cultivation,” is giving me the energy to make it through a mad, busy mid-January. 

“Ultivatum Cultivation” comes from plantoid’s upcoming LP, Flare, due out January 30th. Preorders are ongoing!