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Cerrone x Christine and the Queens – “Last One”

Who said disco was dead? Evidently not Cerrone nor Christine and the Queens! “Last One” is the pop disco collab between the two French artists – an amalgamation of Cerrone (who has been around the block a few times but still very much in the game) and Christine and the Queens -the pseudonym of Rahim Claude Redcar.  You won’t be disappointed in the lyrics, bass lines, synth, or any aspect of this track. Just listen, are you even actually working right now?   You can hear the track below from YouTube as well as over on Spotify. You will need to call your otolaryngologist if you aren’t bopping your head to this track. I’m not saying you have to like everything you listen to, it’s a free country (sort of), but if you aren’t at least bopping a little bit you’re probably need to get that checked out.  

Big Society – “Guarantee”

Big Society‘s new track “Guarantee” brings an intro that, while purposeful or not, gave me a JRPG soundtrack vibe. Intro included, the British trio, music students the lot of them, have crafted a delightful pop track that is on the surface a whimsical pop song but… just listen (spoiler alert, the lyrics take a turn within the first minute). Nestled into those twee guitars and synth you’ll find quite the gem.   You can hear the track below on YouTube (for free) or over on Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to add it to your “more than the sum of its parts and a little dark” pop playlist. Their debut album will be out… sometime. In the meantime, listen to the other two tracks “Foolish” and “Every Stage of a Genuine Heartbreak” for a better idea of what to look forward to (and even some folk tinged action too).[...]

The Kerosene Hours – “Who’s That in My Room?”

“Who’s That in My Room?” can either be a frightening or exciting experience, but in this case it’s the latest track from The Kerosene Hours – much closer to exciting rather than frightening.   Aaron Silverstein (no relation) is the brains behind this act and brings a bass-soaked post-punk vibe with sampling and synth mixed in. It had a goth rock mouthfeel that feels fresh – a line that Silverstein walks quite confidently.   The song itself delves into disassociating as we change, living in the times we live in (check the news) and coming to terms with it. Silverstein’s vocals feel appropriately haunting and bring a spunky energy that is sometimes difficult to conjure when you’re singing about the dreariness of this life we live in.   You can hear the track below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify and Apple Music. The Kerosene Hours · Who’s That in[...]

Channo – “The Interview”

Channo‘s latest single, “The Interview,” is fresh off of their LP Shades of the Midnight Sun. The brainchild of Australia-based Luciano Mercieca, “The Interview” is a sublime slice of sounds carefully layered with a healthy dose of acoustic guitar. Mercieca’s vocals sound like they’re bubbling up from a dark pool in the best way possible; haunting, yet inviting.   No audio track sounds out of place and this could fit in well with a chill wave study track or the music for the second zone in a JRPG game.   The track is available below from YouTube, as well as Spotify. As of press time, the track had been removed from Soundcloud, but you can find the rest of Channo’s work there in the meantime. Be sure to check out the rest of the album if you’re diggin’ this, you won’t be disappointed.              

Club 8 – “Stay Together”

Club 8 is one of our perennial favorites who refuse to stop putting out bangers. Their first album (as far as I can find) came out in 19 NINETY friggin’ 8. Two people, Swedish, look both chill and unapproachably awesome looking, just refusing to stop it with the bangers! We’ve covered them more than once here and instead of linking individual tracks, I just linked their tag.   The track, “Stay Together,” has the funkiest bass underpinning the dulcet guitar vibes and Karolina Komstedt’s vocals. It veers into a dream pop-esque feel… So a funky dreampop track… yes. Final answer. Give it a listen, let us know what you think!   You can hear “Stay Together” below from Bandcamp as well as Spotify and Apple Music. Their entire catalogue is numerous and varied, so give it a spin (anywhere will do, with such a broad spectrum).   Stay Together by[...]

Mainland Break – “I Give In”

Mainland Break gives in to their obsessions and compulsions (listen to the song, it makes more sense), which also seems to include making infectious indie pop ear worms. Guitar-driven with a healthy dose of bass (stop underestimating us), “I Give In” is mostly a clean, guitar-forward affair that keeps multiple threads going to keep things *really* fun and interesting. Speaking to the track, the band had this to say:   “I Give In” is about experiencing warring emotions and feeling unable to change the process or eventual outcome. It’s about taking the path of least resistance and losing an internal struggle. The wave crashes over you, but also propels you. You love, but you hold yourself back from loving.”   “I Give In” is available wherever you stream music (probably) but we’ve included the embed below for Soundcloud, as well as Spotify and Apple Music.   Mainland Break · I[...]

Summer of Peril – “Aftermath”

Appropriately coming from an EP titled Revision, “Aftermath” is a redux of an older song by the band Summer of Peril. This is a shoegaze track through and through with the effect laden guitars that are a hallmark of the genre. Writer and (presumably) singer Alex Forbes fits right in with the cacophonously melodic noises emanating from the track with his vocals that feel both 90’s adjacent and (in a good way) almost dirge-like?   You can hear “Aftermath” below from YouTube, as well as over on Spotify. They have one other track, “Streetlights” on the four track split EP with fellow band Strayline. Check out everything on here because I can guarantee if you enjoy this track, you’ll enjoy the rest!  

The Kites – “16”

Based out Leeds, Yorkshire (yeah, that one), The Kites bring us their latest with “16.” Capturing for many what is a pivotal year as a teenager, the track is heavy on the guitar that is only outshone by the vocals. I felt a lot of nods to the headier movements from bands like Blink-182 that capture that pop punk vibe while still tugging at the ole heartstrings. Assuming you’re at least 17 and reading this, the age of 16 is an easy-to-grasp concept that The Kites artfully depict – and left me feeling a whoooooole lot of emotions.   You can hear the track below from YouTube or over on Spotify. This definitely an easy contender for your summer playlist and hopefully not the last we hear from the band this year.  

Elle Belle – “Figure 8”

Christopher Papas fronts Elle Belle and their latest single is “Figure 8,” the second track off of the single sharing the same name. The first, incidentally, was reviewed by the incomparable Nick Sessanna here. It’s a study in simplicity written on a train to Timbuktu (sarcasm), and a primer to “Figure 8” that, taken together, showcases Papas’ range as a musician. Funnily enough, I felt like the intro to “Figure 8” felt more like a train getting started as it spirits the protagonist away from the station (to or from Kyoto?!).   Speaking to the track (and partially dashing my theory of a train theme) Papas had this to say: “‘Figure 8’ is a sweet love song despite the brooding melody and dark chords. I don’t know if there is a place where we could love each other forever, but if there is, let’s go there.”   You can hear[...]

Hot Head – “Electric Chemistry”

NYC based Hot Head released their latest (but not first, that honor goes to “Intro“) track “Electric Chemistry.” Out June 6th, it contrasts mightily with the subdued “Intro” and serves the perfect pop-punk kick off to the summer you needed. More power chords than you can shake a sparkler at and showcasing the foursome’s range with solo and melodic lyric play.   Speaking to the track, the band said the track drew inspiration from ” …the static energy formed when you come into contact with another person of an opposite charge.” You can definitely feel that energy throughout and, I can assure, you won’t be disappointed unless you don’t like your punk upbeat and happy.   You can hear “Electric Chemistry” over on Soundcloud or the big green circle with stripes, Spotify. Be sure to listen to “Intro” first to get the full effect, trust me! Or don’t, down with[...]

yetep – Hate It When It’s You (feat. Trella)

yetep might “Hate It When It’s You” (and Trella too), but I don’t think they’re talking about you (sorry). That doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy this pupil-dilating EDM laced jam. I could try and tell you how perfect the vocals hit with the drum machine and effects yetep pushes out… But this is just a great mid-set song that really brings a crowd back in on a Saturday night, or, the type that’s a great jumping off point for the beginning of a set.   You can hear the (very helpful) lyric track below on YouTube. It’s also available on Spotify and probably a couple other places (there are like eighty different streaming apps now).          

Marina Fleming – “The Band”

Hot off her newest album Groupies in the Age of Consent, Marina Fleming brings us her latest single “The Band.” With “The Band,” Fleming has crafted a slow burn track that vacillates between pop and, dare I say, some folk influence? Listen. She tells a damn story and it’s sad, but it’s not quite country, ergo, folk. *mic drop* Oh and another thing! You can’t tell me lo-fi guitar and a tambourine aren’t at least folk-adjacent. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think!   You can hear “The Band” below from YouTube or check it out on Spotify. The rest of the album, Groupies in the Age of Consent, is available now, so be sure to catch the rest of that too.        

Girl Time – “crack in the screen”

“crack in the screen” is the latest track from brother/sister duo Girl Time… And just like any heart-wrencher, it’s about a break up. It keeps a chill drum machine beat interspersed with appropriately mournful low-fi guitar riffs. Like a lot of Girl Times tracks, they keep it simple but goddamn if it isn’t almost flawlessly done each time (see also, their track “Something.”)   You can hear it below from YouTube or over on Spotify. I suggest this as a great wind-down track or a contemplative walk. Though you don’t necessarily have to have gone through a break up, it certainly hits different if you have. With this being their second single of the year, lets hope we don’t have to wait too much longer for another!  

The Electorate – “Don’t Go Out”

“Don’t Go Out” are the sage words of The Electorate, especially if you’re anxious and/or anti-social. It’s also their latest single from their new album By Design (May 30).   Based out of Sydney, this trio has crafted a rhythmic, guitar-heavy piece that feels scattered and all over the place. However, like the reveal at the end of an M. Night Shyamalan film, you see how wonderfully it all fits together (Bruce Willis conspicuously absent). This leans into the band’s punkier side of indie pop and feels like a strong finish leading up to the last track on the album.   You can hear it below from Bandcamp or over on Spotify/Apple Music. The rest of the album is a fun listen too, as it really showcases the range of the band.   Don’t Go Out by The Electorate

CATBEAR – “Who Cares?”

“Who Cares?” Well, you should. CATBEAR? Not so much (but they really do, just listen). Their latest single, named, you guessed it, “Who Cares?” is their third release off of a single I’ll let you guess the name of.   Crafting 80’s tinged indie pop tracks is apparently Zoe and Sarah’s specialty – it will make you feel right at home, what with the drum machine and synth. If the lyrics remind you of a certain feeling that you can’t quite a finger on, there’s an explanation for that! Speaking to the track, Zoe had this to say:   “It’s that quiet panic before you’ve even left the house… you want to go out and be part of things, but you’re already working out how long you have to stay before it’s okay to leave.”   You can hear “Who Cares?” below from Soundcloud as well as on Spotify. The[...]