The 5 Best Songs Of The Week

Every week the Stereogum staff chooses the five best new songs of the week. The eligibility period begins and ends Thursdays right before midnight. You can hear this week’s picks below and on Stereogum’s Favorite New Music Spotify playlist, which is updated weekly. (An expanded playlist of our new music picks is available to subscribers on Spotify and Apple Music, updated throughout the week.)5Alex G - "Pain Is The Heart Of Love" (Feat. Paul Buchanan)You might think, “Hmm, not much going on here.” But put those headphones on, baby! Hear those tritones creeping in the background, creating an intricate spine-tingle? Then, Paul Buchanan’s voice emerges like a wounded ghost, but there’s a glimmer of warmth there to remind us of hope in anguish. The truth that it's all connected, that "pain is the heart of love.” And that low, droning cello? It rounds the whole thing out, making it feel romantic and lush. It swells like an open sore. I can easily imagine putting this on in the winter, when the sun begins to disappear at 3:30 p.m. I’ll pour myself a large glass of red wine, light some candles, and watch the moon take to the sky. And while you might hear “nothing much happening,” I’ll be ...