Kauf – Through The Yard

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Electronic artist Kauf caught our attention with his chilled out mix of Public Service Broadcasting, and now he’s returned with the brand new and sensual tune titled “Through The Yard.” On the first taste of his upcoming full-length debut Regrowth, Kauf — born Ronald Kaufman captivates with a hypnotic blend of reverberated flutes and world rhythms, supported by a soft electronic base and echo-laden vocals. Listen below.

“Through The Yard” is currently available as a limited name-your-price download on Bandcamp.

Happy Hollows – Way Home

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Two years plus after the release of their album Amethyst, the LA-based act Happy Hollows have just finished recording a series of songs with producers Lewis Pesacov (Best Coast) and Gareth Jones (Grizzly Bear, Interpol). One of the resulting efforts released this week, “Way Home” utilizes analog-synth based melodies and angular guitars to create an ode about the anxiety of being away from home while on the road. The framework for the single was written by singer-guitarist Sarah Negahdari during her time spent on tour with the Silversun Pickups, and fleshed out with the other band members Charlie Mahoney (the band’s co-founder and DC transplant), Matthew Fry, and Dan Marcellus in the studio. It’s an instantly infectious and warm track with vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks — recommended if you like HAERTS and Pure Bathing Culture. Listen below.

L.A. Girlfriend – XIV

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Bred on new wave bands like New Order and Iron MaidenL.A. Girlfriend‘s music has come to reflect an ’80s counterculture sound in a genre best described as “romantic nouveau.” This is evidenced by the L.A. fuzz pop act’s new record, Neon Grey released earlier this month. Throughout the album, LAGF founder Sydney Banta plaits sharp synths, propulsive drum tracks and a traditional house beat into energetic, edgy lo-fi arrangements. Get acquainted with these newcomers by listening to album highlight “XIV” — and “Runner” (off their Varsity EP) below.

Kisses – The Nile

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While we wait patiently to be wowed by new releases in the new year, we thought to share a recent effort from alt-pop outfit Kisses, who released their third album Rest in Paradise this past October. The LA duo has always been a reliable source for groovy dance beats, and standout track off the new LP “The Nile” is no exception. According to singer Jesse Kivel, “The Nile” is a nod to a Rod Stewart track that he felt mirrored some of his more obscure disco favorites from the ’70s. “Both me and Zinzi are really interested in pop artists who ‘went disco’—Paul McCartney, The Stones, Blondie, Rod Stewart, the list goes on. Putting these two worlds together was something we felt destined to do,” Kivel explained to Interview mag. It’s the best, so stream below.

Harriet – Bent

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Harriet has the kind of sound that draws you in and makes you want to keep listening—in large part due to the strong storytelling aspect of their music. Makes sense given the band’s influences, which include Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis & the News, Paul Simon and Radiohead according to frontman and founder Alex Casnoff. Named after Casnoff’s grandmother, the promising act is a four-piece from LA whose debut album will be arriving January 2016. The album, entitled American Appetite is purportedly a 12-track collection exploring “the American condition, and the power and greed that it ensues.”

Listen to two varied tracks off the forthcoming LP — “Bent” and title track “American Appetite” below.

BØRNS – The Emotion

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LA-based act BØRNS, aka Garrett Borns is a rising new talent who’s made a splash for his sunkissed indie-pop hooks. The newcomer, who originally hails from Michigan relocated to LA where he wrote (with heavyweight producers like Emile Haynie) and finally debuted his highly-anticipated album Dopamine last month. No doubt his new surroundings affected the singer’s sound, as a press release calls his music “pure Southern California in a bottle.” Listen to the heartfelt track “The Emotion” below for a sample of his sensibilities.

People in the DMV can catch BØRNS live at Rams Head Live on December 1.

Adult Bodies – Drones

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Adult Bodies is a new interstellar duo (by way of LA) comprised of Steven WIlken and Matthew Kiernan. The electronic two-piece have been in the studio recording their debut EP, Solid Colors: Modern Lives, and recently released the first track off the album — “Drones.” Spanning seven minutes, the atmospheric number has an excellent build that holds the listener captivated from the opening electronic reverb through the introduction of the astral synths, which increase in intensity over its duration. Pick up a free download of the track on Soundcloud as you anticipate the EP, expected to launch early 2016.

Favored Nations – I Can See You

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Add a little (nu) disco to your weekend and listen to the ebullient new single, “I Can See You” from electropop outfit Favored Nations. The LA trio had a chart-topping hit with previous single, “Always” and are looking to keep the momentum rolling as they prepare to release their debut album, The Great Unknown October 2 via Antler Records and etcetc.

The group consists of the collective talents of singer Morgan Phalen (who’s collaborated with Justice), DJ James Curd (DFA), and Surahn “Sid” Sidhu (touring guitarist for Empire of the Sun). Inspired by the sunlit sounds of the ’60s such as the Beach Boys, their funk-infused sound is straight up dance-house with a hint of Chromeo. Stream below.

Superhumanoids – Norwegian Black Metal

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Electropop trio Superhumanoids have offered up new track “Norwegian Black Metal,”  which is the second cut from their forthcoming album Do You Feel Ok?. According to the LA act, “the song is about obsession, escapism, and the power of something random to bring two people together — in this case the book True Norwegian Black Metal.” Despite the radical content of the book, the track itself is super dreamy, driven by lithe synths and singer Sarah Chernoff’s sugar-coated vocals.

Do You Feel OK? — the follow up to their 2013 debut Exhibitionists — drops September 11 via Innovative Leisure. Stream the new cut below and check out the dates for their fall headline tour,  which includes a stop at DC9 on September 30.

Superhumanoids Upcoming Tour Dates:

9/15 – San Francisco, CA; Rickshaw Stop
9/17 – Seattle, WA; Barboza
9/18 – Portland, OR; Holocene
9/21 – Madison, WI; Frequency
9/22 – Chicago, IL; Beat Kitchen
9/23 – Cleveland, OH; Euclid Tavern
9/24 – Toronto, ON; The Drake
9/26 – Montreal, QC; Divan Orange
9/28 – Boston, MA; Great Scott
9/29 – Philadelphia, PA; Johnny Brendas
9/30 – Washington, DC; DC9
10/1 – Brooklyn, NY; Baby’s All Right
10/3 – Richmond, VA; Stranger Matter
10/4 – Asheville, NC; The Mothlight
10/5 – Atlanta, GA; Drunken Unicorn
10/6 – Nashville, TN; Hi-Watt
10/7 – Houston, TX; Rudyards
10/8 – Austin, TX; The Mohawk
10/10 – Phoenix, AZ; Pub Rock
10/13 – San Diego, CA; Casbah
10/14 – Los Angeles, CA; El Rey Theatre