Like previous installments, the three best new songs we’ve chosen to spotlight this week are sure to shake things up for you. Coincidentally, all three songs, besides being standout tracks released within the past week, share a sunny optimism that looks at the brighter side of life while still being firmly planted in the personal experiences of each artist. And if you’re still on the search for more exciting music, there’s always our Best New Songs of the Month playlist to keep track of, with new songs added regularly.

Phantogram “Happy Again”

Ahead of a nationwide tour alongside Kings of Leon and several headlining shows, indie veterans Phantogram offer another glimpse at their new direction with the latest single, “Happy Again.” Opening to the sound of oscillating synths and thundering drums, Sarah Barthel’s vocals, always a guiding voice in the duo’s tracks, float through the ricocheting instruments with ease. At first, presenting itself as more of a smooth jam, the song explodes in more ways than one once the chorus arrives, maintaining the newfound frenetic energy that matches Barthel’s declaration, “I can be happy again.” Aside from the clear catharsis “Happy Again” provides, it’s also safe to say the song and previous single “All A Mystery” reach the same highs their first two albums reached early in their career, signaling an exciting comeback marked by the recent signing to Neon Gold Records.

“‘Happy Again’ is a song about feeling lost,” the two said. “Walking blindly in the darkness, in search of a guiding light. But home is a feeling that you never forget. And dark is a season that can feel never-ending. But eventually, the sun will rise, and the ice will thaw, making us realize that through these changes, we can be happy again.”

See Phantogram on tour with Kings of Leon in LA at the Kia Forum on Aug. 22 and in Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Bowl on Aug. 26.

Visit Phantogram on their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Dua Saleh “time & time again” feat. Sid Sriram

With their debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, slated to release on Oct. 11 via Ghostly International, Sudanese-American singer Dua Saleh is continuing their perfected concoction of R&B and electronic eclecticism with single “time & time again” featuring Indian musician Sid Sriram. Much like previous singles such as “want” and “unruly,” Saleh’s otherworldly voice is right at home amid the shapeshifting production that draws from multiple genres. Sriram’s backing vocals, primarily utilized in support of Saleh, never get lost in the background, instead elevating the song’s magnetism, luring you in as if it made up the sounds of an unknown world. While the song, detailing a poorly timed relationship where the two remain kindred spirits, is bittersweet, it captures the reality of LGBTQIA+ relationships; it does so thoughtfully, neither alienating those with similar experiences nor leaving listeners with a cold disposition. Considering Saleh is now three for three, with each single landing on one of our best new song lists, there’s much to look forward to with I SHOULD CALL THEM.

Visit Dua Saleh on their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

Luna Li “Bon Voyage”

It’s not every day an artist decides to share album closers before release. However, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Luna Li rightfully saw the healing power her song “Bon Voyage” possessed and made an exception, gracing listeners with early access until When a Thought Grows Wings drops Aug. 23rd via In Real Life/AWAL. Due to the sheer magnitude of elements strung together on “Bon Voyage,” it’s not an exaggeration to say the song encapsulates all that distinguishes Li as a singer-songwriter, down to the choice of instruments ranging from strings to a near-magical harp. Always one to flirt with the psychedelic, Li swirls those elements together and uses them as air for her voice to glide over. As if the track weren’t already an impressive composition, the second half is where everything takes off, creating a grand harmony where countless instruments come together in an explosion fitting for the epic finale to a five-hour opera.

“‘Bon Voyage’ is one of my favorite songs on this record,” said Li. “It combines all of the things that I love — string & woodwind arrangements, sweeping harp, psychedelic guitars, driving drums, and yearning, questioning lyrics. I pushed to have this song as a single because even though it’s a perfect closer, I didn’t want it to get lost at the end of the record. I’m really proud of the work that Andrew [Lappin] and I did on this one.”

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See Luna Li on tour with John Roseboro in Santa Ana at the Constellation Room on Oct. 12, in San Diego at the Voodoo Room at the House of Blues on Sept. 10, and in LA at Troubadour on Oct. 15.

Visit Luna Li on her website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.

After giving these three songs a first listen and a few well-deserved rewinds, make sure you dive into our Best New Songs of the Month playlist. There are also New Music editorials and Artists You Should Know features to go through every week, offering spotlights or formal introductions on today’s most exciting acts.

Words: David Sosa