Cloud Nothings go metal on "Death Keeps Me Alive" and top Stereogum's weekly list

Cloud Nothings have shared "Death Keeps Me Alive," the first single from What Kind of Hell Did You Survive?, a new album the Cleveland band built around metal influences. The song was included in Stereogum's weekly roundup of the five best new tracks, published Thursday.

The site framed the single as a sharpened version of what the group did on Attack On Memory, comparing it directly to "Wasted Days" and arguing that the added metallic edge is what finally revitalizes a band roughly two decades into its run. The write-up goes as far as calling it a possible career high point.

Also on the list is "Ringtone" by Worldpeace DMT, lifted from their sophomore record Stick Around For Tea. The track was described as a return to the blog-era stretch when twee picked up a synthetic streak, with a hook that juggles God, love and world peace.

Rounding out the picks are sadie's "Little Things," built on galloping drums and bright synth textures; Hannah Frances' "Circadian Heart," which moves between folk sprawl and jazz-leaning passages; and a track from Bassvictim, the project fronted by Maria Manow, characterized as confrontational lo-fi electroclash. Frances said her song concerns "choosing unavailable people."

The publication collects its weekly selections on playlists updated on Spotify and Apple Music, with an expanded version offered to subscribers.