Although the second half of 2024 is packed with live shows and tours, there’s still an ample amount of new music coming out every week. To help keep track of all the exciting singles that have recently dropped, here’s another roundup of our three best new songs of the week, including a bonus remix from Classixx. Be sure to check out our Best New Songs of the Month playlist, which updates regularly and includes many of the singles we feature every week.

Lava La Rue “Better” feat. Cuco

Amid an exciting period in West London artist Lava La Rue’s career, marked by an upcoming opening slot on Remi Wolf’s tour that includes an LA stop at The Roxy Theatre on Sept. 30 and the recent release of their debut album, STARFACE, their talents are on full display with “Better” featuring Cuco. Sporting a new persona reminiscent of Ziggy Stardust, the boundary pusher is once again showing an ability to weave genres together as if they were always meant to fuse, blending the vocal prowess of soul, the arrangements of ska, and the feel-good energy of a classic funk song. While La Rue primarily drives the song forward with their dynamic, layered vocals, Cuco manages to match them in an almost seamless transition between the two. But what distinguishes the track from the rest of the album is its unabashed optimism, reassuring multiple times, “It will not be this way forever / One day we’ll look back and smile.”

See Lava La Rue on tour in LA at The Roxy Theatre on Sept. 30 and in Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Sept. 10.

Visit Lava La Rue on their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Listen to “Better” the new single from Lava La Rue.

Marin Clarisse “true, true love?”

With vocals reminiscent of Clairo and similarly pop-leaning artists, singer-songwriter Marin Clarisse’s new single “true, true love?” ponders whether or not her feelings are as real as they feel, questioning her burgeoning love over laidback production. Clarisse, who started off much like other artists by uploading covers of songs like “No Time To Die” and “Watercolor Eyes” onto YouTube, lives up to the singers who inspired her with a simple yet continually rewarding song structure that’s about as radio-ready as you can get. However, the strongest aspect of the single is its consistent melodies, which capture the full spectrum of constant second-guessing when in the face of potential love. The chorus, in particular, has the sort of catchiness that instantly gets stuck in your head, complimenting the bubbly beat and snapping hi-hats that subtly increase in intensity within the second half. Considering this is her second song ever released, there’s no denying the already seasoned songwriting evident from “true, true love?” and “growing, painfully.”

Visit Marin Clarisse on her TikTok and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Listen to “true, true love?” the new single from Marin Clarisse.

Alice Phoebe Lou “The World Above”

South African singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou, who is set to open for Clairo on her 2024 tour with dates in San Diego and Santa Barbara, immediately strikes gold once the glitzy instrumentation and soft vocals crescendo into each other at the start of her recent single, “The World Above.” Stuck in a daydream state, she sings about navigating the world day by day while being able to “see the world above,” giving the song a dreamy atmosphere backed by the riveting synths. Much like the soothing harmonies of past tracks such as “Open My Door,” Lou seeks to heal by offering a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. In the case of “The World Above,” she pulls herself out of a monotonous living and soars over glam-filled production fitting for an artist whose profile keeps rising each passing year. The second half is where the song takes off even more than before, culminating in a repeated “Do do do do” melody from Lou that’s surrounded by a barrage of guitars and synths that could rival the scale of an opera.

See Alice Phoebe Lou on tour in San Diego at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on Oct. 4 and in Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Oct. 7.

Visit Alice Phoebe Lou on her website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Listen to “The World Above” the new single from Alice Phoebe Lou.

Nation of Language “Weak In Your Light – Classixx Remix” feat. Classixx

As the latest edition of a string of remixes for synthpop trio Nation of Language’s 2023 album Strange Disciples, electronic duo Classixx slides the scale on their standout single “Weak In Your Light” back to the energetic new wave and dance music of the 80s. While the original version is a calming meditation reliant on its bubbling synths, Classixx adds their own flair and gives “Weak In Your Light” a new life as a glistening dance track suitable for club settings. The vocals are still intact yet come off as altered due to their changed context, instead juxtaposing the jittery production, practically encouraging listeners to stop wasting time and start bouncing. Given the many directions taken by other artists remixing the Strange Disciples tracklist, it’s a testament to Classixx how tastefully they preserve Nation of Language’s unique sound and offer a different interpretation we didn’t know we needed.

Visit Nation of Language on their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Listen to “Weak In Your Light – Classixx Remix” the new single from Nation of Language and Classixx .

If you’re caught up on our three best 3 New Songs features, keeping track of what’s added to the Best New Songs of the Month playlist is another way to stay updated on latest releases. Our New Music editorials and Artists You Should Know features also help make sure the best of the best catch your attention, giving new and familiar artists the spotlight.

Words: David Sosa