Today's Top Tune
319 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★ - 523 ratingsA free weekday download of standout songs, including advance releases, exclusive live tracks recorded at KCRW, remixes, and an introduction to new artists on our radar.
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Episodes
Crane Like The Bird: 'I Knew Her Well' (feat. Peter Moren and Bill Frisell)
December 14, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesDaniel Lanois’ drummer of choice, Kyle Crane — better known as Crane Like The Bird — has worked with many of our favorite artists, including Neko Case and Kurt Vile. “I Knew Her Well,” his latest creation under his own moniker, features Peter Moren (of Peter, Bjorn and John) as well as his inspiration, the talented guitarist Bill Frisell.
Drea D'Nur: ‘Moongazing’
December 13, 2021 08:00 - 8 minutesLet’s take a moment, have a seat, put on some headphones, and listen to Drea D’Nur’s song “Moongazing.” It’s that beautiful. D’Nur says of the song: “Moongazing” illustrates a moment of being fully present with intense desire cradled in real love. The moonlight illuminates and exposes whatever we are willing to see.”
Habibi: ‘A Place We Call Our Own’
December 10, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesBrooklyn’s Habibi latch onto our ears from the first few bass notes and create a mellow dance party on “A Place We Call Our Own.”
Bola Sete: ‘Soul Samba’
December 09, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesYou need to know the legendary Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete! His nickname, pronounced “bowl-ah set-ay,” comes from the Portuguese for “seven ball” in snooker — the game’s only black ball apart from the eight ball, nodding to Sete as the only Black member in his jazz group. A visionary with a signature style, Sete played with Dizzy Gillespie and Vince Guaraldi. We’re sharing his composition “Soul Samba,” culled from “Bola Sete — Samba in Seattle: Live at the Penthouse, 1966-1968.”
Pete Yorn: ‘Elizabeth Taylor’
December 08, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesIt’s safe to say that Pete Yorn uses Los Angeles as a canvas on which he paints his songs. Inspired by his home base, his latest release “Elizabeth Taylor” announces his forthcoming ninth album and is buoyed by nostalgia and a steady beat.
Yaya Bey: ‘made this on the spot’ (feat. V.C.R.)
December 07, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesMulti-talented New York based singer-songwriter Yaya Bey transforms romantic confusion into a lush and powerful sentiment on the song ‘made this on the spot,’ featuring composer and violinist V.C.R.
Death Cab For Cutie: ‘Information Travels Faster’
December 06, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesIn celebration of the 20th anniversary of “The Photo Album,” Death Cab for Cutie go all out with a mega deluxe edition bundle due in the spring of 2022. The album was released at a pivotal point in their career — it was time to decide whether or not to quit their day jobs. Thankfully they did and the album became a fan favorite, including an alternate lyric version of the song “Information Travels Faster.”
Beach House: ‘Once Twice Melody’
December 03, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesWe are looking forward to February, when Beach House will issue their eighth studio album. We’ve already noticed that the duo expand their sound on the title track “Once Twice Melody” with a live string ensemble.
Eyedentity: ‘País Da Maravilha (Wonderland)’
December 02, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesKrishna Booker and Diana Purim continue the magical Brazilian jazz legacy of their respective parents as Eyedentity. Booker is the son of renowned jazz bassist Walter Booker, nephew of saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and godson to Herbie Hancock, while Purim is the child of singer Flora Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira. Together, they expand on the genre and foster a new generation of fans by blending Portuguese and English and melting multi-rhythms, as we hear on the title track, “País Da M...
poolfire: ‘Radio Man’
December 01, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesAs a Latin-American growing up in Boston, poolfire was exposed to the Guatemalan music his father played at home and what he heard on the airwaves. The new single, “Radio Man,” tells the tale of a mysterious character via intertwined melodies and beats.
JaRon Marshall: ‘Sound of Heart’
November 30, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesJaRon Marshall, keyboardist and co-writer for Grammy-nominated Black Pumas, steps into the spotlight as beatmaker and producer with his self-titled solo project, which he calls “the marriage between funk, jazz, R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop.” “Sound of Heart” is an instrumental audio tapestry.
War: ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’
November 29, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesBelieve it or not, Los Angeles funk outfit War began their musical revolution 50 years ago, churning hit after hit with songs like “Low Rider,” “The World Is A Ghetto,” and a bevy of other songs we know all the lyrics to. A new compilation, “Greatest Hits 2.0,” rounds up all of our favorites into one tidy package, including the classic hug-a-thon song “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” from 1975.
Quantic & Nidia Góngora: ‘Adorar la Sangre’
November 26, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesIf you are looking for Latin gospel, look no further than British producer and purveyor of Colombian sound Will “Quantic” Holland, who reunites with folkloric singer-songwriter Nidia Góngora for a bluesy spiritual romp on “Adorar la Sangre,” Spanish for “Worship Blood.”
Owiny Sigoma Band: ‘Owiny Space’
November 25, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesThis Thanksgiving Day, we have a lot to be grateful for: time with loved ones and good food to eat. After all that chow, we’ll need to get our bodies moving a little. Count on Owiny Sigoma Band to help you do so with their East African musical philosophies and electronic London sensibility on “Owiny Space.”
Spiritualized: ‘Always Together With You’ (Radio Edit)
November 24, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesWe love Spiritualized for the space rock project’s epic and anthemic sound. The new album “Everything Was Beautiful” is slated for release in early 2022, and sees Jason Pierce (a.k.a. J Spaceman) playing 16 different instruments and employing an additional 30 singers and musicians, which is curious for a man with a fondness for isolation. Let’s enjoy the grand sound of “Always Together With You.”
Shannon Lay: ‘A Thread To Find’
November 23, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesLos Angeles songwriter Shannon Lay gathers a sparse ensemble for a folky acoustic mix on her newly issued album, “Geist.” Layered and captivating, “A Thread To Find” brings to mind artists like Laura Marling.
Charlotte Cornfield: ‘Pac-Man’
November 10, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesA strange dream about an old friend, plus inspiration from Elliot Smith songs led Toronto’s Charlotte Cornfield to cook up the gritty “Pac-Man.” It's nudged along by a sludgy bass line from Ada Lea and well-timed tambourine played by Suun’s Liam O’Neill.
Daisy the Great: ‘Record Player’
October 18, 2021 07:00 - 2 minutesBrooklyn indie pop duo Daisy the Great team up with alt-rock trio AJR for a hooky track about an object of our affection, “Record Player,” which you may be familiar with from TikTok.
Gal Musette: ‘Oliver’
October 07, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutesBaroque pop artist Gal Musette dives into her experience with unrequited love by inviting Grammy-award winning artist Rufus Wainwright to duet with her on the lilting song “Oliver.”
Little Dragon: ‘Hold On’ (Pote Remix)
September 16, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutesIf you are a fan of Little Dragon’s “New Me, Same Us,” go soak in their new remix EP to listen to fresh treatments of songs from Georgia Anne Muldrow, FKJ, Ela Minus, and Pote’s version of “Hold On.”
Dos Santos: ‘City of Mirrors’
August 27, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesDos Santos’ “City of Mirrors” draws inspiration from Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “100 years of Solitude,” likening Puerto Rico to the town of Macondo. It’s a song of fortitude, struggle, and hopefully triumph.
RBTS WIN: ‘Some Daze’
August 26, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesEmerging from the heart of Appalachia, RBTS WIN produce a heady mix of chaos and harmony on “Some Daze.”
Jacklen Ro: ‘Hollywood (I'm Good)’
August 16, 2021 07:00 - 2 minutesJacklen Ro create happy indie pop driven by the chemistry that comes from their longtime friendship filled with humor and wonder. “Hollywood (I’m Good)” showcases the group’s ability to harmonize.
Clairo: ‘Amoeba’
August 06, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesClairo emerged from her dorm room studio a couple of years ago with diary-worthy stories turned into songs. Her anticipated sophomore album continues her upward trajectory and features the crème brûlée sound of “Amoeba.”
Ceci Bastida: ‘Corre’
July 27, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutesCeci Bastida expresses her interest in global issues around migration and the oppressed by inviting Palestinian rapper Tamer Nafar to join her on “Corre,” or Spanish for “run.” Growing up on the Tijuana side of the U.S. border, Ceci learned about the struggles of refugees at an early age.
Nation of Language: ‘Across That Fine Line’
June 28, 2021 07:00 - 5 minutesHaving released one of our favorite albums last year, Nation of Language helped keep our spirits up during 2020, and we’re excited that they are coming to SoCal later this fall. We celebrate summer and new love with “Across That Fine Line,” themed around that platonic relationship that flips into something more.
Rozzi: ‘I Can't Go to the Party’
June 17, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesLA-based neo-soul artist Rozzi has collaborated with a span of artists, from Maroon 5 to Kendrick Lamar, and hosts the popular music podcast “Ugh! You’re So Good.” Gifted with a big, throaty sound, let’s take a listen to “I Can’t Go to the Party.”
Dry Cleaning: ‘Strong Feelings’
May 04, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutesA loosely-woven spoken word oratorio deftly delivered by frontwoman Florence Cleopatra Shaw is the compelling narrative that propels Dry Cleaning’s “Strong Feelings.” A track to play on repeat, it’s no wonder so many KCRW DJs are weaving these London art-rockers into their mixes.
Gillian Moss: ‘GM from GM:)’
April 19, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesThe buds behind Gillian Moss have known each other since the age of three, which may explain why they play (music) so well together. Gillian Moss says their process of making the newly-minted record reminded them of summer camp. Yes it does, and you’ll sure hear the sunshine and awe in “GM from GM:).”
Brijean: ‘Feelings’
April 02, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesSummery and sexy, “Feelings” is the latest by Brijean, an Oakland duo adept at creating dance music for the heart, body, and soul.
The Bamboos: ‘Hard Up’
March 19, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutesGet funked up with The Bamboos! Written before COVID-19 hit, “Hard Up” taps into our universal sense of unease. Founder Lance Ferguson captures the struggle to hang onto our lives with insistence and a steady beat.
Menahan Street Band: ‘The Duke’
March 18, 2021 07:00 - 2 minutesAfter nearly a decade, Menahan Street Band is back! The funk icons behind Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley share “The Duke,” filled with creamy horns, melodious organ, and a peppery rhythm section.
Rhiannon Giddens: 'Calling Me Home'
March 17, 2021 07:00 - 3 minutesWhen Rhiannon Giddens first heard folk/bluegrass music pioneer Alice Gerrard’s song “Calling Me Home,” she felt it deeply. Inspired by the music of the South and drawn to the sound of Giddens’ adoptive country Ireland, we’ll honor St. Patrick’s Day with this little ditty.
Jose Gonzalez: ‘El Invento’
March 16, 2021 07:00 - 2 minutesJose Gonzalez’s first song in Spanish was written in response to the many questions his young daughter posed, such as: “Who are we?” Or. “Why are we here?” Her queries have been so mind-bending for him as a parent to answer that Gonzalez came up with “El Invento,” or “the invention.”
Tommy Guerrero: ‘By the Sea at the End of the World’
March 09, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutesWe love Tommy Guerrero for helping define street skating in the 1980s. These days, he spends lots more time on his Latin-infused instrumental sound, including the wavy groove “By the Sea at the End of the World.”
Lake Street Dive: ‘Being A Woman’
March 08, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutesWelcome to International Women’s Day. Let’s drop the needle on a track from Lake Street Dive’s latest album, “Obviously.” The song is “Being A Woman,” which packs plenty in less than three minutes!
Dantone: ‘Le Coeur’
February 12, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesFrench crooner Dantone sings of love and disenchantment in a whisper on “Le Coeur” or the heart, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Gretchen Parlato: ‘Wonderful’
January 29, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutesVocalist Gretchen Parlato has a story to tell after a six-year hiatus from music into motherhood. The first new album in a decade spotlights “Wonderful” an uplifting track featuring jazzheads Gerald Clayton on piano and Mark Guiliana on drums.
Boy Pablo: ‘Wachito Rico’
January 18, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesNorwegian-Chilean bedroom pop star Boy Pablo creates a titular character, an alter-ego of sorts, for his new cinematic album. We catch-up with our narrator “Wachito Rico” as he tries to entice his love interest to join him on the dance floor.
Jeremiah Fraites: ‘Chilly’
January 15, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutesThe Lumineers’ co-founder and songwriter Jeremiah Fraites makes his solo album debut featuring piano-centric instrumental compositions. Recalling the minimal aesthetic that John Cage espoused, you hear the deep calm in “Chilly.”
Black Nile: ‘Second Serving’
January 08, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutesMulti-instrumentalist brothers Lawrence and Aaron Shaw have been jamming together their entire lives throughout it all, they have been pushing boundaries. The undulating and unexpected “Second Serving” showcases their fluid impromptu jazz lines.
Kacy & Clayton and Marlon Williams: ‘I Wonder Why’
January 07, 2021 08:00 - 2 minutesSaskatchewan-based Kacy & Clayton and New Zealander Marlon Williams find common ground in their love of Western, country, and folk music as they marry the hemispheres on “I Wonder Why.”
Bokani Dyer: ‘Ke Nako’
January 06, 2021 08:00 - 6 minutesSouth African pianist, composer and producer Bokani Dyer leads his improvisational jazz ensemble through “Ke Nako” a track to be found on their forthcoming album due late January.
Chico Mann: ‘When I Come To’
January 05, 2021 08:00 - 4 minutesChico Mann’s whole life has revolved around music and has toured the world for nearly two decades. A member of Antibalas and half of the duo Captain Planet, Mann concocts a polyrhythmic orchestra influenced by Afrobeat with psychedelic leanings. A new solo instrumental album shows off his chops on “When I Come To.”
Contento: ‘Dale Melón’
January 04, 2021 20:00 - 4 minutesExpat Colombian duo Contento file their work under “salsapunk” both sassy and tasty — here’s a track we are digging called “Dale Melón.”
Peter CottonTale: ‘Together’
January 01, 2021 08:00 - 3 minutesGrammy Award-winning artist Peter CottonTale casts a wide net of musicians for his latest song “Together” including EGOT recipient Cynthia Erivo, Chance The Rapper, the impeccable Chicago Children’s Choir and Matt Jones Re-Collective Orchestra. It is our wish that 2021 brings us all closer physically, spiritually and emotionally. Happy New Year!
Neil Frances & Poolside: ‘I'm In Love With You’
December 21, 2020 08:00 - 4 minutesWe’ve gotten our hands on a brand new collaborative single between two of L.A.’s finest purveyors of smooth Neil Frances & Poolside to share with you; it’s a seductive and sultry song influenced by 1950’s doo-wop.
Jane Weaver: ‘The Revolution of Super Visions’
December 18, 2020 08:00 - 3 minutesJane Weaver catches cosmic sounds, bygone Lebanese torch songs, 1980’s Russian aerobics records and Australian punk for her new album and turns them into superlative pop like we hear on the song “The Revolution of Super Visions.”
Liam Bailey: ‘Awkward’
December 17, 2020 08:00 - 3 minutesEarly on in her career Amy Winehouse signed UK Reggae artist Liam Bailey to her record label in 2005. Today, Liam unites with producer and artist Leon Michels to make the record they’ve always dreamed of, “Awkward” is one of the songs off the Yoruban titled “Ekundayo” or “sorrow becomes joy.”
Astronautica: ‘Keylime’
December 16, 2020 08:00 - 3 minutesInstrumental tracks allow our minds to take a break and let our emotions and thoughts flow through pure sound without the guidance of lyrics. “Keylime” happens to be one of the songs on Astronautica’s forthcoming album that invites us to coax our own soundscape.