We are officially closing out our second week of July, which means that it is once more our favorite day of the week: New Music Friday.

This week we are sharing some of our favorite releases from the month so far and once more sharing our full Quaran-tunes Playlist, featuring all of our favorite music from 2020 so that you can listen along and discover your next favorite song.

So let’s dive in!

“Perfect Mess” by Mear

The first new track of the week is by Canadian band Mear, who bring the emotional waves of nostalgia with their new track “Perfect Mess.”

Documenting the process of growing apart after a breakup, “Perfect Mess” plays with feelings of post-breakup anxieties while assuring listeners that it is going to be OK.

And while the track may seem sad in its lyricism, the piano/synthesized instrumentals and the band assure fans that it is a “happy breakup song.”

“It’s a happy break-up song with the repeated lyric don’t worry serving as a mantra. We hope this song helps you escape from the everyday, and think of a joyful summer spent with friends.”

Accompanying the track is a new music video, which was filmed at The Canadian National Exhibition last year. Representing the tracks juxtaposition of sadness regarding the past and hopefulness for the future, the video features the duo sitting in silence as the fair goers hustle and bustle behind them.

“not like you” by Nightly

An up-tempo pop song, “Not Like U” is the song we all need to hear this month- reminding listeners to take chances, no matter how difficult it may be to prepare for.

In a time when online communication is at an all time high and the world is full of uncertainty, “Not Like U” provides an escape from the stress of daily life and encourages listeners to connect with each other on a deeper level- especially if you’ve been neglecting to tell someone how you really feel.

This song is a great track to dance around to and it’s happy sounding instrumentals and encouraging lyrics will have you forgetting all of your worries and hitting repeat on the song over and over.

“Voices” by Divine Astronaut

A goth-rock-synth combination, “Voices” is the latest track by alternative duo Divine Astronaut.

Heavily inspired by 90s electro-rock, “Voices” brings a sense of self awareness along with navigating feelings of paranoia and anxiety as we grow to find ourselves- inspired by the idea that our own internal voices can pull us in varying directions causing existential strife about who to listen to.

“The source of these voices can be from any challenging situation, upbringing, or beliefs, resulting in a lot of noise in the brain,” singer Livvy Holland shares. “Regardless of how dark our own inner voices can be, this song is an affirmation that we can keep our hope and love for existence intact amid all the external and internal naysaying.”

Filmed in Dracula’s Bran Castle in Romania, the track’s debut also comes paired with a dark yet beautiful music video that perfectly represents the songs themes and tone.

The second track to be released from the band’s upcoming album “Made Not In Berlin,” “Voices” follows the album’s debut single “Undone,” in giving fans a taste of what is to come from Divine Astronaut.

“Get Z To A Nunnery” by Z Berg (Album)

A bit of a change from the previously listed, this release is a full album- and the debut LP by singer/songwriter Z Berg.

Featuring previously released songs “Bad List,” “Time Flies,” “To Forget You,” and “I Fall For the Same Face Every Time,” the album comes with six new tracks, including “Berg and I,” “Charades,” and “Calm Before the Storm.”

An artist who is not afraid to venture into the macabre, Berg’s LP perfectly represents a mix between dark emotional lyrics and her ethereal vocals- proving her ability to master the art of delicacy while packing a punch that will leave listeners feeling both a sense of calm and unease.

And in addition to Berg’s beautifully unique vocals, the album features cameos from fellow artists Ryan Ross, Phoebe Bridgers, Ethan Gruska, Joseph Keefe and Malcolm McCrae- all of whom pose a perfect contrast to Z and keep each track unique while also remaining uniform.

You can stream the full album now, and stay tuned to the link above for tonight’s 8pm (EST) visual album debut.

“Better Daughter,” by Moscow Apartment (EP)

Another album release this week comes from Moscow Apartment- who first landed on our radar after the release of their single “New Girl,” which was inspired by the duo’s experiences with cat calling and sexism.

Now, the group- a dual effort between musicians Brighid Fry and Pascale Padilla- have released their full EP “Better Daughter,” and it perfectly encapsulates the feelings of growing up, finding yourself, and dealing with all of the “awful people,” we meet along the way.

An indie-pop inspired EP, “Better Daughter,” is the second release by Moscow Apartment, following their 2017 self titled EP. And while 4 of the tracks had previously been released, the EP comes with new tracks “Awful People,” and “18.”

A sonically dreamy and lyrically potent EP, “Better Daughter,” is a release well beyond the years of the duo’s mere 17 and 18-year-old existence with a timeless quality that can be relatable to fans of any age.

“California” by Girlfriends

Lastly, one of our favorite recent releases is brought by the newly formed duo Girlfriends, made up of Travis Mills and Nick Gross.

While this track was technically released last month, it felt right to include it in this new music roundup since it is THAT GOOD.

Titled “California,” the duo’s debut song marks Mills return to music after a near four year hiatus, and features a mix of electronic and pop punk elements along with lyrics about the ups and downs of living in the Golden State.

While no further information or hints at future releases have been dropped by the band, we are looking forward to seeing where the project goes. And for anyone who is still on the fence about taking a listen, if you enjoyed Machine Gun Kelly’s “Bloody Valentine,” this is the track for you.

You can check out our Quaran-Tunes playlist, full of our favorite releases of 2020 below, and be sure to comment letting us know your favorite tracks from this week, below.