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5 new songs you need to stream: Rufus Wainwright, Clearance, and more

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Every week, there are hundreds of thousands of new songs hitting the airwaves. It’s too much for just your two ears to handle: With all those options, you can’t be wasting your time on tracks worthy of a thumbs-down click.

But don’t worry, we’re going to save you the hassle. We listen to some of the most-hyped and interesting songs each week, and tell you which are worthy of your precious listening time.

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Here are our top 5 songs to stream this week. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Spotify page for a playlist of our weekly picks, which can also be found at the bottom of this post.

Rufus Wainwright — Hallelujah (Feat. 1,500 vocalists)

Epic Night! Featuring Rufus Wainwright + 1500 Singers sing HALLELUJAH!

There are thousands of versions of Hallelujah bouncing around on the internet, but only this one features thousands of voices. A collaborative effort between famed singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright and Choir! Choir! Choir!, this version of Leonard Cohen’s iconic song features a 1,500-strong chorus of backgrounds and counterpoint, creating an almost spiritual atmosphere.

iTunes

Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals — Come Down (and more)

If you have yet to stumble upon Southern California’s latest up-and-coming hip-hop king Anderson .Paak, this episode of NPR’s Tiny Desk is the perfect introduction. The artist plays drums and sings live with his band, showcasing the immense talent that has allowed him to rise to the top of the rap world in almost no-time flat.

Weaves — Help (Beatles cover)

You’ve heard plenty of Beatles covers before, but we guarantee you’ve never heard one quite like this. A deeply groovy reinterpretation of the Fab Four’s classic Help from Canada’s oddball indie act Weaves, this new take features frenetic drums and cool synthesizers, culminating in a strange version of the classic single that’s quirky without being off-putting.

The Tallest Man On Earth — Rivers

The Tallest Man On Earth has yet to announce a new record since last year’s compilation of songs, Dark Bird Is Home, but he does continue to release new singles. The latest, Rivers, pulls together all of his famed tropes — finger-style guitar, smooth vocals, and simple piano layering — delivering a new track that easily fits into his increasingly-massive songbook.

iTunes

Clearance — Owner/Operator

A Pavement-influenced jam from Chicago indie rockers Clearance, Owner/Operator is a driving rocker that will have you jamming out with the windows down. It’s the kind of tune we imagine might be playing as the opening credits roll on an excellent dark comedy, a song that’s cynical but also filled with humor.

That’s it for this week, but tune in next week and check out our full playlist of past songs to stream below:

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Parker Hall
Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
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