Kevin Bronson on May 18th, 2022

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Midweek madness: New songs from Child Seat (featuring Jeff Schroeder of Smashing Pumpkins), Launder (featuring vocals from SoKo) and 17-year-old KALI.

CHILD SEAT, “Burning” (feat. Jeff Schroeder)

Child Seat — the collaboration between Madeleine Mathews (MAWD) and Josiah Mazzaschi (Light FM, Bizou) — team up with Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Jeff Schroeder on their aptly named new single “Burning.” The follow-up to “Fever Dream,” the song is the latest from the duo’s debut album, “Bad Holiday,” out Aug. 5 via Moonboot! Records. A four-on-floor jam plumbing the rocking side of the new wave era, the tune references last year’s Caldor wildfire that threatened Mathews’ hometown of Placerville. “‘Burning’ is a reminder that life throws us curveballs, including losing the things we love most. Nothing is set in stone, and nothing lasts forever. With the 2020 pandemic, it often especially felt like one roadblock after another was arising. Yet, the world keeps turning and life/time keeps charging forward even when the going gets tough.” Speaking of curveballs, the song throws one at the 3:25 mark, when Mazzaschi’s lead guitar part gives way to a solo from Schroeder. Child Seat celebrates the release with a free show tonight at Harvard & Stone.

LAUNDER, “Become” (feat. SoKo)

John Cudlip polishes some shoegaze gold on “Become,” the new single from his solo project, Launder. It’s properly blissed-out, surging forward to support the diaphanous guest vocals of SoKo, whose chemistry with Launder has been showcased before. “‘Become’ is about being stuck in situations where you know you deserve better, but it still drags you down,” the winger says. “And you know deep down that to become your best self you have to break through thick layers of de-tangling old patterns and live with intention. Become the majestic lion you know you are …” The follow-up to “Unwound” and “Chipper,” “Become” will appear on Launder’s new album, “Happening,” out July 15 via Ghostly.

KALI, “Insomnia”

“Maltman and Effie” will be the title of the second EP from 17-year-old Kali Flanagan — aka KALI — and why it’s named for a seemingly nondescript intersection in Silver Lake is unclear at this point. But we do know that the follow-up to 2021’s “Circles” will include previously released singles “Addicted” and “Anybody Else,” along with the woozy new jam “Insomnia,” out today. “‘Insomnia’ is probably the most emotionally and mentally taxing song I have made,” the singer-songwriter and producer says. “I had fallen into a pit of anxiety and hopelessness that came with the bitter climax of a failing summer romance. I wrote ‘Insomnia’ as a reminder that I could still care for someone that I could not keep being in contact with due to the amount of pain and insecurity the nature of our interactions made me feel.” KALI performs tonight in support of Weyes Blood at UCLA’s Royce Hall.