“KCSU’s Weekly Gems Countdown” is written by the KCSU Music Directors and describes the top artists that your local 90.5 FM DJs are playing this week! This article is posted weekly on Sundays and discussed on their show “KCSU Weekly Gem Countdown” which airs every Monday from 11-noon. During the show, you can learn more about each musician or band before tuning in to the top 10 countdowns on Monday from 11-noon, in which the music directors present to you the latest songs topping the charts and breaking down each song’s sound and feel.”

*=Brand new to the charts!

1. Steve Lacy – R&B – (11 spins of “Bad Habit” off of the 2022 album “Gemini Rights”)

Steve Lacy not only claimed three spots, he claimed the number one spot! “Bad Habit,” one of the most popular singles off his new album “Gemini Rights,” tells a story many people can relate to. The song is about reflecting on an attraction to someone, and what it could have been if he had expressed how it felt to the person he is singing about.

2. Cece Coakley – Alt/Indie – (9 spins of “Listerine” off of the 2022 EP “Tender Kid”)

Cece Coakley is on the charts for the second time this week! “Listerine” is one of the lead singles off of her debut EP, “Tender Kid.” The song describes not being able to get rid of someone you have left behind, and even though you know its for the better, you can’t seem to forget about them.’

3. *Rex Orange County – Alt/Indie – (9 spins of “THE SHADE” off of the 2022 album “WHO CARES?”)

Alex O’Connor, also known as Rex Orange County, is an alternative indie singer who has changed the game when it comes to indie pop music. According to his Spotify, he “is a gifted singer/songwriter known for his literate, quirky brand of bedroom pop that combines jazz, hip-hop and soul influences. O’Connor was still a teenager when he first gained attention online in 2015 for his self-produced album ‘bcos u will never b free.’”

“THE SHADE” is the eighth track on the album, “WHO CARES?” We see Rex reminisce about his regrets with a past lover, doing almost anything for them, but it still not being enough for them to stay.

4. *Steve Lacy – R&B – (8 spins of “Amber” off of the 2022 album “Gemini Rights”)

For the second time, Steve Lacy hits the charts! According to Genius, “‘Amber’ finds Steve Lacy on a self-produced piano instrumental reminiscing about an old relationship and slowly starting to regret meeting the significant other.”

5. *Steve Lacy – R&B – (8 spins of “Mercury” off of the 2022 album “Gemini Rights”)

Alternative R&B artist Steve Lacy is in a presumably small class of musicians who have co-produced a Grammy-nominated album while in high school. He first joined the band The Internet in 2014 as a guitarist. The artist from Compton, California, who also created all his music on Garage Band, has won a multitude of awards and is now critically acclaimed.

“Mercury” was the lead single of the album, “Gemini Rights.” According to Genius, the song “sees Steve Lacy both remorseful and bitter about a past relationship, ultimately showing his double-sided nature.”

6. *The Thing With Feathers – Rock – (8 spins of “Saturday Night” off of the 2022 EP “Sundays In The South”)

The Thing With Feathers are an alt-rock, indie pop and dance powerhouse, fueled by three of Nashville’s favorite fools: David Welcsh on vocals, Alex Hendricks on lead guitar and Chris Roussell on drums. According to their Spotify, “the crew’s unpracticed, quirky swagger coupled with stellar musicianship has resulted in a catalog of equally introspective and uncomplicated tunes, dedicated to booty-shakers everywhere.”

7. CAAMP – Folk – (6 spins of “Lavender Girl” off of the 2022 album “Lavender Days”)

CAAMP is a folk band from Ohio that consists of childhood friends Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall, as well as bass player Matt Vinson and keyboardist Joseph Kavalec. Lavender Days was CAAMP’s fourth studio album, with the band’s Spotify describing the album as “(the) times you look back on and smile about, and times you look back on with tears still fresh. And there will be the times that give you both, and all shades between – your Lavender Days.”

Lavender Girl was one of the lead singles off of the album. The song describes a girl who they miss and changed their life for the better.

8. *Cece Coakley – Alt/Indie – (6 spins of “Monday Morning” off of the 2022 EP “Tender”)

Cece Coakley, the self titled “hummus queen of Tennessee,” is an up-and-coming alternative country singer. As grlsplain blogger Rrita Hashani explains, “Coakley’s songwriting shines in both, but it’s her vocals that rise above. Reminiscent of thee Olivia Rodrigo, the listener can’t help but belt or scream along, attempting to match her range.”

“Monday Morning” is the fourth track off the debut EP from Coakley. The song describes Coakley wanting to be their “Monday morning” and have her “picture in their wallet,” even though it doesn’t seem like she is as important to her lover, as they are to her. Asking them, “have you told your parents about me?,” clearly wanting more from them.

9. *Grace Ives – Pop – (5 spins of “Isn’t It Lovely” off of the 2022 album “Janky Star”)

Grace Ives is a New York musician whose early projects are “built for simplicity and repetition, these were fertile proving grounds for the synthesizer enthusiast,” according to Pitchfork.  They also describe “Janky Star” as the album that has “the diversity of styles can at times make for a disjointed listen, but at 10 songs in just under 30 minutes, never a boring one.”

“Isn’t It Lovely” is the first track off the album and describes how amazing her new love is.

10. Σtella and Redinho – Alt/Indie – (3 spins of “Charmed” off of the 2022 album “Up and Away”)

The up-and-coming Greek artist Σtella (pronounced Stella) recently signed to SubPop and debuted her second album “Up and Away” this past May. Redinho helped produce this album, which according to Pitchfork has “galloping guitars, off-kilter electronics, and quirky, imagistic lyrics.” When this song was sent to us, I listened to it roughly six times a day. The acoustic guitar is hypnotic, and Σtella mixes her Greek roots with folk-inspired indie classic songwriting to make you addicted. This song feels like running through a sunflower field during a sunset while barefoot, and also falling in love. We are excited to see these two musicians grow!

The Music Directors can be contacted at music@kcsufm.com