Despite the ease of access that streaming has brought to the distribution of music, the volume that's released can make it a daunting task to find unique new stuff every week. In this recurring weekly feature we put together a short list of new songs from the past week that stand out amongst all the noise and deserve a spot in your rotation.
All songs featured in this recurring series can be found in our scrmbl selection 2025 playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
BAILEFUNK KAKEKO ft. rirugiliyangugili — “Donpen”
Which obnoxious sound sputtering out of the Brazilian-by-way-of-Japanese funk beats from BAILEFUNK KAKEKO’s new album has been your favorite? The mega-truck klaxon honking throughout “Kusokiribattousai”? The mind-sizzling lasers deployed in “I’m Gone”? I’m still hearing echoes from those blaring sirens in “Donpen” that sound like it’s taunting you for stepping right into the producer’s trap, unleashing a wild rirugiliyangugili your way. Credit to BAILEFUNK KAKEKO, that devilish rapper is the exact kind of beast you’d expect to emerge from such a barrage of noise.
PEDRO — “Itai No Tondeke”
Given Ayuni D and her penchant for self-deprecation — a hanger-on since her time in BiSH — you might think the music of her band PEDRO would further dampen into despondent indie-rock at the face of rock bottom. Misery instead transforms Ayuni into a glam-punk frontwoman in this highlight from her new mini album, the bassist-vocalist armed with a spiky guitar riff, amped-up hooks and a surprisingly optimistic outlook: “Why am I alive again? / so I can keep seeing you,” she sings, and PEDRO proceed to bang out a theme song to help get through those horrible days.
ralph — “Sightseeing”
There’s an extra warmth felt from the vintage soul sample introducing this new single by ralph, who’s known for mean street rap. His gruff voice usually rides equally tough grime beats; here, it chills out as he hangs in a reflective mood, perhaps onset from the soft, jazzy keys cascading the beat. He can’t quite escape the shadows of his fond UK genre: the production still peppers in hits of soulful brass as the percussion sputters underneath in a familiar grime rhythm. But it’s good to hear the rapper take a step back and loosen up a little.
SATOH — “Supersonic”
What's interesting about a lot of Japanese music anchored to the internet is the way artists mutate familiar sounds into something new and apt for the fractured social-media age. Sometimes though, you just need something to mosh along too. Duo SATOH emerged from the same extremely online spaces as other young acts in the country, but with “Supersonic” they deliver a straight-ahead pop-punk ripper with no detours or twists, just bop-along energy. Listen above.
Tim Pepperoni — “6mg”
Rapper Tim Pepperoni has a knack for turning short songs into something head spinning. Newest number “6mg” plays out over a woozy beat, with Pepperoni boasting and big dogging haters over it all, fitting a lot in just over 90 seconds. The real treat is his ability to make every element of the song work melodically, making it so easy to hit repeat over and over again. Listen above.
TOWA TEI — “MISTAKES ARE MADE TO HAPPEN”
TOWA TEI has long been a sonic tinkerer, but in 2025 the prolific electronic artist has especially interested in seeing how sounds can be dissected. Following this year's AH!!, TEI's subsequent releases have been more experimental, using voices and clacking percussion to create something more formless. “MISTAKES ARE MADE TO HAPPEN” stands as TEI's most playful poking around of the year yet, creating a jolly beat interrupted by vocal samples and glitching sounds to offer some tension. TEI is currently in a particularly fascinating era of composition, and here's the latest entry into that oddball oeuvre. Listen above.
