If you’re looking for an instant aural pick-me-up, look no further than the debut single from Jodie Abacus, “I’ll Be That Friend.” Sounding like a cross between Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel — the London-based crooner packs a soulful punch, with plenty of poppy and heartwarming vibes to go with. Stream below.
Electropop project from Toronto For Esmé recently released their first single “Just Yet” and it is a gem of a debut. The band — the title of which derives from J. D. Salinger’s short story, “For Esmé—with Love and Squalor” — is comprised of Martha Meredith (Vocals, Drum Machine, Synths), Dave Thiel (Bass) and Nathan Crook (Guitar, Vocals). According to Meredith, they wanted to make pop that “pushes the envelope through poetry, reflection and some dark undertones” (oh hay).
“Just Yet,” off their forthcoming album Sugar is a lyric-driven piece with deep synths, pulsing percussion, and immersive soundscapes — all with polished production thanks to producer James Bunton. Their sound is already drawing comparisons to CHVRCHES and Robyn, so needless to say we’ll be looking forward to the record’s release. Check out the official video below.
Saturday, Monday is a Swedish artist that recently collaborated with British singer Brolin on new single, “Marble Coast.” The beautiful alt-pop track combines classic elements such as chamber strings with modern electronics and achingly good vocals from Brolin.
Taken from Saturday, Monday’s upcoming EP Late, look forward to the official release March 23 on Swedish label Despotz.
Stylized synthpop act Pr0files first caught P0etry’s attention in 2013 with their debut single, “Call Yourself a Lover.” The LA-based duo, comprised of Danny Sternbaum and Lauren Pardini are longtime friends who came together to make dreamy pop tunes. They’re no strangers to the music circuit though, as both have been involved in separate projects, with Sternbaum composing film scores and Pardini cutting her teeth writing for DJ Khalil’s production team (Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Drake) and Corin Roddick of Purity Ring.
Their new song, “Get it Up” is an upbeat, disco-soaked track that will have you grooving for the weekend in no time. Enjoy this beat below, along with the inaugural track that first enchanted us.
Brooklyn-based duo Beacon released their EP L1 in December last year, their latest effort since 2013’s full-length debut, The Ways We Separate. Signed to Ghostly International, vocalist/producer Thomas Mullarney and producer Jacob Gossett make minimalist and R&B imprinted electronic music. Look no further than “Fault Lines,” the lead track off the EP for a sampling of their deeply haunting and percussive-heavy, after-dark instrumentation. Listen below along with the stunning “Feeling’s Gone,” from the aforementioned LP.
DC locals can catch Beacon live in concert tomorrow, February 19 at DC9.
Philly electropop duo Marian Hill are back with a new EP and stellar lead single, “Wasted.” Made up of Jeremy Lloyd (production/songwriting) and Samantha Gongol (vocals/songwriting), the rising duo have a singular style that consists of sliced vocals, silky synth lines, sultry electronic soundscapes and even elements of trip-hop. With playful lyrics and punchy percussion to boot — as demonstrated on the latest track — Marian Hill can rest assured their immense talent isn’t wasted on us.
Marian Hill’s second EP Sway released today via Photo Finish / Republic Records. Stream “Wasted” and check out their upcoming tour dates below.
Marian Hill 2015 Upcoming Tour Dates:
Feb 17 @ The Turf Club | St Paul, MN
Feb 19 @ Schubas | Chicago, IL
Feb 21 @ Brooklyn Bowl | Brooklyn, NY
Mar 26 @ Club Bahia | Los Angeles, CA
Mar 27 @ Rickshaw Stop | San Francisco, CA
Apr 07 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | Brooklyn, NY
Apr 15 @ The Drake Hotel | Toronto, Canada
Apr 16 @ Le Bleury | Montreal, Canada
Apr 18 @ The Middle East Upstairs | Cambridge, MA
Apr 22 @ Rough Trade | Brooklyn, NY
Apr 23 @ DC9 | Washington, DC
Apr 24 @ Boot & Saddle | Philadelphia, PA
This edition of Remix V-Mix Roundup is getting supersized this week in honor of that amorous (or odious, depending on how you look at it) holiday that falls every February 14. Regardless of your position, we wouldn’t be curators of poetry if we didn’t bring you the best in new music that the spirit of the holiday inspires. So without further ado, enjoy these Valentine-themed mixes.
To start, we have the rousing rendition of Chris Isaak‘s “Wicked Games” from Parra for Cuva. The German producer’s tropical touch and upbeat production — coupled with Anna Naklab‘s sumptuous vocals — makes for a stunning and well, wicked cover.
Speaking of covers, the blogosphere went crazy in 2013 when Jai Paul‘s album featuring fabled cover of Jennifer Paige‘s 90s smash pop song “Crush” leaked via bandcamp. Since the album and original cover were later retracted, we leave you with this rad, percussive-heavy house edit from Berlin-based producer Adam Port.
Disclosure‘s “You & Me” was an instant hit in 2013, but when they asked Flume to do an official remix, the result was a staggering, sonically-realized ladykiller. Stream this massive mix below.
Of course, what Valentine’s mixer would be complete without the inclusion of Metronomy‘s “Love Letters”? The Soulwax revision from the 2014 single is an entrancing, disco-infused dance-floor pleaser, replete with a sultry trumpet interlude. If you weren’t already, get in the groove below.
Finally, we invite you to listen to an underappreciated track from the Detroit-based electronic artist GRiZ. Reimagining Chet Baker‘s classic “Fall in Love Too Easily,” GRiZ refashions the timeless piece into a modern and dance-ready remix. You’d be a fool not to fall for this track.
If that’s not enough for you, check out last year’s singles specials here.
Last week Unknown Mortal Orchestra announced the release date of their new album, Multi-Love, due out May 26 on Jagjaguwar. This will be the group’s third studio album and follow-up to their 2013 record II. UMO also shared the title-track, which according to a press release is a reflection on relationships: “airy, humid longing, loss, the geometry of desire that occurs when three people align. Where [frontman Ruban Nielson] addressed the pain of being alone on II, Multi-Love takes on the complications of being together.”
Stream the swoon-worthy track and check out their upcoming North American tour dates below.
UMO North American Tour Dates:
06/02 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
06/03 – Montreal, QC @ Theatre Fairmount
06/04 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
06/05 – Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room
06/06 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
06/08 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
06/09 – Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
06/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
06/11-14 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
06/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
06/14 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
06/15 – Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
06/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
06/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
06/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
London duo LSBV (short for Little Shoes Big Voice) dropped a lovely new piece of dreampop in the ether this week — a track called “Smoke N Mirrors.” Made up of Jack Durtnall and Emily Harvey, the British two-piece released their debut EP, Little Things last year and continue to assert themselves with instantly accessible singles such as this one. Enjoy the whimsical gem below.
Following their EP Blood, Osca have debuted their first single of the new year — a b-side to a track due out in March. Set against subdued guitar and melancholic synths, frontman Jack Kenworthy’s gorgeous vocals are on full showcase on “Sleeptalk.” The London quartet certainly know how to build anticipation, as with b-sides like this, the analogue seems almost superfluous. Stream the starry track below.
poetry in an empty coke can 