Synthpop duo IYES are on a roll right now, releasing a trio of singles within quick succession in anticipation of their forthcoming EP. Standout track “So Crazy” is a colorful and kaleidoscopic duet that will hook you right from the start. Stream below and be on the lookout as the Brighton-based duo get ready to unveil their debut EP, Part One via Spotify on August 14.
Mura Masa‘s latest track, “Lovesick Fuck” was released a few months back — but has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts on the blogosphere this past week. It makes sense given its sax-y, summery vibes, steel drums and enticing vocal loops. The 19-year-old UK producer, alleged heartbreaker and beat-slayer, Alex Crossan falls somewhere between Ben Khan and Jai Paul with his production chops, which are demonstrated on his recent EP Someday Somewhere. Immerse yourself in this addictive AF beat below.
Zola Blood first made their debut in 2014 with their celebrated EP, Meridian. Now the London quartet is back with new single, “Play Out” — the first taste of a two-track EP due out on Pond Life Songs September 4. Recorded with Richard Formby (Wild Beasts, Ghostpoet), “Play Out” tells a late night tale, composed of pulsing synthesizers and a shadowy bassline. The grounding electronic influences lay the foundation for Matt West’ mesmerizing vocals and rich, swirling arpeggios. Play below.
Rationale is a new producer based out of London who made waves for his unconventional debut, “Fast Lane.” The as-of-yet faceless artist has a heartfelt, genre-hopping sound that caught the attention of Pharrell and Scott Vener, who featured the soulful song on the inaugural episode of OTHERtone–their new Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio program–waxing poetic on the track with guest Justin Timberlake. At two minutes and 35 seconds long the effort feels more like a preview, but luckily the producer has an album in the works. Rationale explains the basis behind the project is to make tunes for “people who seek out sincere music which emotes and provides that special relatable something we all feel when a song really connects.” Get connected with this song below.
In anticipation of their forthcoming album We the Generation, powerhouse UK electronic act Rudimental has shared the official second single off the LP. “Rumour Mill” is a vocal duet between between rising London singers Anne-Marie and Will Heard. We’ve heard Heard (hah) before on Tourist‘ track “I Can’t Keep Up,” and he continues to entice us with his seductive and broody vocals. The effort is a feel-good, energetic house number that will make you want to dance all up in your car, much like the video below. Look out for Rudimental’s album to drop September 18 via Major Tom’s/Big Beat, and scope out their upcoming U.S. tour dates below.
Rudimental North American Tour Dates:
09/29 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
09/30 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
10/03 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall
10/06 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
10/07 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
10/08 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
10/09 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
British songstress Shura has been captivating us with her singular sound since the release of debut single “Touch” just over a year ago. “It’s like someone’s taken something really shiny and rubbed it with sandpaper,” Shura says speaking of her ’80s-esque pop sound which reminds us of early Madonna. On her new number “White Light,” Shura combines influences diverse as Arthur Russell-inspired disco and the undulating psych-rock of The War On Drugs to create another dynamic and refulgent effort.
While Shura is currently at work on her debut album, look out for “White Light” to drop July 24 via Polydor. Stream the single along with the equally dreamy track “Just Once” below. Those in the Tristate area can also catch Shura performing at Mercury Lounge in NY July 28.
Following their 2013 full-length, Inform-Educate-Entertain, Public Service Broadcasting returned with new material this year, launching their second album in February. For those not familiar with PSB, the London duo use samples from archival footage and public information films to create guitar-driven electronica with an unusual but compelling and historical landscape.
In their new LP, The Race For Space, the astral act fly us back to the historic events between America and USSR in the quest for outer space from 1957 to 1972. The suspenseful track “The Other Side” — about Apollo 8’s orbit around the moon and their momentary loss of contact with NASA ground control — shows how the instrumentation seamlessly adapts to the spoken word to create a cinematic and inspirational tune.
PSB also recently released a remix EP of their single “Go.” Listen to LA-based producer Kauf‘s minimalist and stellar take below, and look out for PSB to be revisiting North America on tour sometime this fall.
Following up his debut EP 1992, the London-based, integer-loving artist Ben Khan released his new EP 1000 this week. The four-track effort is fused with his signature mix of electronic, soul, experimental, and future-pop that can’t help but escape comparisons to the fabled Jai Paul. The last song on the EP, “2022 Zodiac” is a dark, distinctive closer with abstruse samples from the 1975 thriller Picnic at Hanging Rock. Although we wish it were longer, we dig the vibe so stream below.
HONNE has been on the top of the blogosphere charts for some time now, but it wasn’t until we heard “Top To Toe” that we fell head over heel. The UK duo make soulful, sensuous music along the lines of Chet Faker or SOHN. Honne is a Japanese word describing a person’s true feelings or desires, which in the culture is often contrasted with tatemae — the Japanese word for public behavior — to highlight the dichotomy between the two.
In light of this, honne (本音) seems like a worthy title for the London duo’s brand of late night, swoon-inducing electro-soul. Take a listen to “Top To Toe” off their EP Coastal Love, released this month below.
Wolf Alice is four-piece band from London who’ve received a lot of acclaim this year from tastemakers such as BBC Sound, NPR, Hype Machine and KCRW for their eclectic mix of folk, grunge, and electronics with a ’90s alt-rock twist. Their debut album, My Love Is Cool, was produced by Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Foals) and is slated for release June 23 via Dirty Hit / RCA Records.
The second single off the record, “Bros” is a mellifluous reworked version of an earlier demo from 2013. Speaking to NPR about the track, vocalist Ellie Roswell said, “‘Bros’ is sentimental song for us. [It’s] taken on a new form as we have grown with it. It’s a simple ode to childhood friendship and imagination.” Stream “Bros” and check out their North American tour dates below.
WOLF ALICE | UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
5/5/15 St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
5/6/15 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
5/7/15 Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge
5/8/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ X96 Big Ass Show
5/11/15 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
5/12/15 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Café
5/14/15 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
5/16/15 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
5/18/15 Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
5/19/15 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
5/22/15 Austin, TX @ Holy Mountain
5/23/15 Dallas, TX @ Dada
6/18/15 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
8/2/15 Philadelphia, PA @ Radio 104.5 Summer Block Series
poetry in an empty coke can 