JoySauce Radio: Songs that will breathe new energy into your life
If you're having a hard time keeping up with all the new song and album drops, JoySauce Radio has got you covered this month
From left, cover art for "LOCK" by Sabrina Song, "the cure" by Olivia Rodrigo, and "HOTLINE" by Mikayla Geier.
Graphic by Ryan Quan
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—featuring some of our favorite tunes and videos—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
Music never really slows down and neither do the artists making it. It seems like everybody making music is constantly redefining what it sounds like. Each week brings a new wave of songs, album announcements, and debuts, and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. That’s why we’ve got you covered at JoySauce Radio. Before the summer fully hits, make sure to refresh your playlist and get some new energy into your routine. Whether it’s a long-awaited comeback from a major pop star or a hidden gem from an emerging indie artist, there’s always something new worth adding to your rotation. Here are some of our favorite picks this month.
“the cure” by Olivia Rodrigo
Our pop princess is officially back with an emotional single ahead of her full album release on June 12. With “The Cure,” the 23-year-old singer-songwriter is finally giving the fans what they want: sadness and vulnerability. The freshly released track is a melancholic and soft musing on all the ways she expected love to fix her and how that idea eventually let her down. She calls this song the “thesis statement” of the album and it certainly sounds like an artist entering a more reflective chapter of her career. On the songwriting front, Rodrigo is tugging strings lyrically and alluding back to her old hits like “Vampire” and “Enough For You,” and adding more depth to her lyrics as she grows stronger as an artist. Her voice floats delicately over stripped-back production before swelling into a chorus that feels both devastating and cathartic.
“Blush” by Prateek Kuhad
Jaipur native Prateek Kuhad has built a devoted global following by creating intimate, aching love songs sung in both Hindi and English. According to a press release, the singer-songwriter describes "Blush" as capturing the feeling of infatuation and the first heady rush of meeting somebody and falling for them hard. It's the first single from his upcoming album Full Moon Chamber, which will be released on July 10. Instrumentally, the song leans into delicate guitar melodies and dreamy production that leave plenty of room for his gentle vocals to shine. There’s a comforting familiarity to the track that longtime listeners will immediately recognize. If you’re a fan of some of his older hits like “cold/mess” or “Kasoor,” you’ll love this one too.
“JAWBREAKER” by Chong The Nomad
Chong The Nomad is an Indonesian American producer, DJ, and artist based in Seattle who derived her name from a side character in Avatar: The Last Airbender—a nomadic musician she saw herself in. As a person and an artist, she draws deeply from her identity as a queer woman of color, citing late music icon SOPHIE as a major source of inspiration for her unique sound. "JAWBREAKER" hits like the rest of her discography: layered, electric, and impossible to fully categorize or explain. The song constantly shifts directions in exciting ways, mixing distorted synths, punchy beats, and sharp transitions that keep listeners on edge from start to finish. It’s the type of track that reveals something new every time you replay it. You just have to listen for yourself.
“HOTLINE” by Mikayla Geier
Before becoming a singer-songwriter, Mikayla Geier was a seasoned ballet dancer. Now based in Los Angeles, the 26-year-old Canadian artist has been making catchy alt-pop songs for a while, and “HOTLINE” is just the latest addition to her collection. The song is a mischievous and cheeky break-up-with-your-boyfriend anthem that features Geier’s memorable raspy voice and iconic catchy melodies. Her voice carries both grit and charm, helping this song stand apart from other pop releases. She was named one of Spotify's 2026 Artists to Watch and she'll be heading abroad to open for MARINA on her UK tour this summer. You’ll definitely want to put this rising star on your playlist and your radar.
“LOCK” by Sabrina Song
Brooklyn-based indie rock artist Sabrina Song makes songs that hook you in with their lyrics. Her songs usually explore topics like complex relationship dynamics, inner conflicts that don’t always have a clear answer, and the confusing feelings that come with growing up. “LOCK” is one of the strongest examples of what makes her music so special. Built around a catchy guitar melody and layered vocal harmonies, the track balances emotional heaviness with a bright energy. The catchy and heartbreaking tune is a part of her second EP Big Trick, which was released May 8 and features six new songs from the singer-songwriter. For fans of introspective indie rock and rich, lyrically driven songwriting, Song is absolutely an artist worth following closely.
Published on May 26, 2026
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.