From the opening bars of their first single “Not Enough,” Sunjacket draws you into their world of layered, jazz-tinged syncopated rock. The Chicago quartet’s haunting harmonies sound like a cross between Adult Jazz, The Antlers and Grizzly Bear. The track, mixed/co-produced by Milagres‘ Fraser MuCulloch and mastered by Joe Lambert (who’s worked with Animal Collective and Pet Shot Boys) is the first of their debut LP Mantra, due out sometime this fall.
Hear “Not Enough” below.
Washington D.C. songstress Young Summer, aka Bobbie Allen hit mainstream success with her 2014 debut LP Siren. Now she returns with a new EP that’ll be out sometime this summer — and the first taste of the extended play called “Alright.” Known for her lush melodies, synth-washed production and romantic lyrical laments, the new single falls right in line with what we’ve come to expect from the homegrown artist. Even as Allen sings about unrequited love — submerged in a sanguine sonic soundscape the track feels cathartic rather than punitive. Allen admits as much, confessing that the sparkling production is like a “protective armor.” See for yourself below and to hear the new songs live, catch Young Summer performing at U Street Music Hall July 22.
Blood Orange, aka Dev Hynes has just put out his most personal and political record to date, dropping Freetown Sound on Domino three days ahead of the scheduled July 1 release. The album title is a nod to the capital of Sierra Leone, where Hynes’ father was born.
In a press release the acclaimed Brooklyn-based artist and producer states: “I have just finished making an album about my life, my upbringing, being black in England, being black in America… my movement to this country at the age of 21, the same age that my mother moved from Guyana to London, and my father from Sierra Leone to London.” The statement also notes that Freetown Sound is a “confluence of Hynes’ past, present, and future that melds his influences with his own established musical voice.”
The entire album is a must-listen, but we’re especially delighted that Dev came together with another of our favorite artists, Empress Of, to collaborate on a song that is one of the LP’s finest — “Best To You.” The track combines the best of both artists’ worlds: Blood Orange’s skittering ’80s synthpop aesthetic and Lorely Rodriguez’ gorgeously verdant vocals.
Stream via Spotify below, and as a bonus check out the empress’ recent collab with Darkstar. The single, “Reformer” will be out on Darkstar’s new EP Made To Measure July 15.
Australia’s “dream beat” artist Sui Zhen has already accumulated a following for herself overseas, but this month marks her first North American release. Born Becky Sui Zhen, the quirk-pop singer is a visual artist and art museum professional by day, who makes music inspired by Japanese lovers rock, ’80s electro-bossanova, and dubby-lounge pop (which she discovered on holiday in Japan). Her new album Secretly Susan dropped June 17 via TwoSyllable on digital platforms and pink vinyl. Take a listen to “Take It All Back” and pick up the album today for your tiki-tinged beach party playlist.
Arriving from El Paso, Avindale is a Texan trio whose synth-rock sound defies expectations of their place of origin. With influences like Coldplay and M83, the three-piece, Oscar (vocals / keys), Gary (bass) and Matt (drums) have carved out their own indie pop sound consisting of dreamy synthscapes and distinct melodies. They independently released their second EP, Time Frames earlier this month — so listen to their single “Lost And Found” and then go support the new EP if you feel as windswept by their music as we do.
East London duo Night Games have been making waves this past year with their spacious take on electronic pop and steady stream of self-released singles. “Faithless,” our fave so far is an emotive and at once sensuous song that recalls the likes of Rhye and FKA Twigs. The pair, Constance and Paul ply silky, dusky synths and swooning melodies into a mysterious, intriguing package that more than gives us faith in their ability to further establish themselves as an act. We suspect a debut EP is not far off so let’s not play games — stream the single below.
Phantogram is planning to release their third studio album, aptly titled Three this September. Having experienced a rough year, the album will reportedly showcase a darker, weightier side of the New York duo comprised of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter. In addition to the passing of their idols David Bowie and Prince, Barthel also tragically lost her sister to suicide. In the wake of such sorrow, the duo managed to find inspiration amidst the blackness, which quickly became central to the LP’s narrative. Carter told Pitchfork, “The idea that all of our heroes are gone—of everyone and everything being destroyed around us and we’re still standing, and we’re still pushing on, and we’re still moving forward. That’s also a lot of motivation for us to keep going and going and going, and that’s I think the main theme behind the album.”
The first taste of the record — “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore” certainly showcases this aspect. Even while they grapple with this darker matter, the duo’s electropop edge, hook-laden melodies and resilient spirit remain intact. Watch the lyric video for the single below.
Delighted to share the new one from a musician who was easily one of our favorite musos to emerge from Down Under over the last few years — D.D Dumbo. Having released his EP Tropical Oceans in late 2014, the Australian artist and musical raconteur aka Oliver Hugh Perry has a new album in the works and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Although the multi-instrumentalist is definitely someone you’ll want to see live, the production on Perry’s new song “Satan” sounds more polished than ever. Hard to deny the Sting comparison here, in which Perry weaves a compelling tale on the typically inventive and colorful cut replete with Eastern influences. Stream below.
Been a bit busy as of late, but we’ve gotten so many solid electronic submissions recently that we can’t help but bring you another edition of Remix Roundup. Promise to get back on the ball soon but in the meantime, enjoy this latest installment of RMX Roundup — a biweekly segment in which we deliver the latest and greatest mixes and electronic cuts on the blogosphere.
First up is the new one from Elderbrook, the classically-trained London musician and producer who released his debut EP Simmer Down in 2014. His new track “Go” is another rhythmically-rich, vocally-enticing, bass-heavy banger that’s inherently built for the club.
Following the release of their EP Profite last year, France’s Moi Je have unveiled a remix package for the title track. While there are a handful of versions to choose from, we’re partial to Boycott‘s rendition. The young London producer, born Will Hayes has put together an impressive edit of the nu-disco track, which starts out seductively sparse and then breaks out into a full-on house jam with bright synths bursts. We can’t get enough, so pick up a free download on Soundcloud today.
Last but not least, Atlanta producer Popeska has revealed plans to release a debut album he’s calling Spirit Animals. Accompanying the announcement is the new single “Doing Me Wrong,” a future-bass beat with superb production. Featuring a vocal sample that seems to have been lifted from a smash sixties soul song (help anyone?), this one is seriously addictive. It’s also available for free on Soundcloud, so add it to your summer playlist stat and look out for more releases from Popeska leading up to the drop of the LP.
As the son of non-denominational church founders and pastors, Palmistry, the project of London-based artist Benjy Keating has always felt like a bit of an outsider. This comes through in the music of the singer slash songwriter slash producer, whose hybridized style of contemporary pop feels fresh and familiar at the same time. Combining elements of R&B, dancehall and experimental electronic — with clear Caribbean influences — Palmistry defies genres and expectations to traditions of form. His debut LP PAGAN arrives via Brooklyn label Mixpak on June 17 and can be pre-ordered here. Meantime, listen to the rhythmic and buoyant single “Lifted” below.
poetry in an empty coke can 