Well, since Halloween is sort of upended this year due to the pandemic, I guess I can post something spooky to make it at least feel like Halloween. Darkwave producer Public Memory releases "Butcher" from his upcoming record Ripped Apparition. Stuttered beats, moaning synths, and his uniquely haunting vocals make this the perfect Halloween track.
Friday, October 30, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Ela Minus - "dominique"
Brooklyn-based Colombian singer/producer Ela Minus has a fantastic new record out called acts of rebellion. "dominque" is a perfect dance track for our times. Its hypnotic synths bubble over throbbing beats, like darkwave New Order, with the narrator singing about being stuck inside, not seeing friends, and only drinking coffee and liquor. I suppose we can call the music pandemicwave.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Autechre - "Metaz form8"
Last week, IDM titans Autechre released their new record SIGN. Strangely, it is not a cryptic, genre-bending work, but it is surprisingly warm and inviting. The ambient centerpiece "Metaz form8" is one of the most beautiful pieces in their arsenal. It sounds like being immersed in a warm, placenta-like womb, and is easy to get lost in its embrace.
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
CXLOE - "Swing"
From her EP Heavy Part One, Australian dark-pop singer CXLOE lays down a mix of lurking synths over a chopped beat on single "Swing" while her vocals coil seductively around it.
Monday, October 26, 2020
Gorillaz ft. Beck - "The Valley of the Pagans"
Gorillas team up with Beck for this gloriously fun party song. It's a good way to get your week off right.
Friday, October 23, 2020
Ariana Grande - "positions"
From her upcoming album that should be released by month's end, "positions" is our first listen. It's a slow-burning track that focuses on Ariana's lovely voice.
Thursday, October 22, 2020
Diplo ft. Rhye - MMXX - XII
From his lovely ambient album MMXX, Diplo teams with Rhye for this gorgeous song that mixes chime-like synths, a barely-there beat, and Rhye's evocative vocals.
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
HEALTH/XIU XIU - "DELICIOUS APE"
From their excellent collaborations album DISCO4::PART 1, "DELICIOUS APE" is a suitably epic track featuring avantgarde popsmith XIU XIU. There is an undercurrent of dread on this track that never fully forms but instead carefully descends into the middle section as a calm oasis of shimmering synths and textured guitars. Then it arises again for the ending section, slowly building to a suitably HEALTH conclusion.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
TSHA ft. Gabrielle Aplin - "Change"
Dance track from producer TSHA that draws from acid house with a lot of squiggly bass. The song is about how sometimes you just, for no reason, fall out of love with someone.
Friday, October 16, 2020
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Tourist - "Siren"
British producer Tourist recently released a new single called "Siren." It has a lovely shuffling breakbeat with chiming synths and ghostly vocal samples. It will transport you to another world.
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Low Island - "Don't Let The Light In"
Bouncy bit of synthpop from Low Island. There is a funky undercurrent that just makes you want to dance.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Future Islands - "Glada"
Future Islands' sixth album As Long As You Are is one of their best, full of their trademark soaring synthscapes and Samuel T. Herring's emotional voice. Lead track "Glada" is about finding yourself deserving of love again. I love these lyrics:
"In the dawnFor far and long, as I have been
The last time around
Now finding a friend
Who am I?
Why do I deserve the sea again?
After all I’ve done
And finding love in the end."
Monday, October 12, 2020
Shamir - "Running"
From his new self-titled album, Shamir releases this alt-pop track "Running" that is about being in a group of toxic friends and ridding them to focus on his mental health. The track is buoyed by a rocking beat and killer chorus.
Friday, October 9, 2020
Blackbird Blackbird - "Time"
Los Angeles based producer Blackbird Blackbird takes the maxillest approach on latest single "Time." It has lots of frenetic percussion and bright synths and is an infectious track.
Thursday, October 8, 2020
fanclubwallet - "Car Crash In G Major"
fanclubwallet releases a new song "Car Crash In G Major" whose deceptively sunny melody belies its gallows humor lyrics.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Lost Horizons (Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins) ft. John Grant - "Cordelia"
Lost Horizons, Simon Raymonde of Cocteau Twins and former Dif Juz drummer Richie Thomas, are set to release a double album in December called In Quiet Moments. The enlist John Grant for vocals on the ghostly track called "Cordelia." The song captures the spirit of This Mortal Coil's work and Raymonde's work with Harold Budd.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Róisín Murphy - "We Got Together"
Monday, October 5, 2020
Tycho ft. rum.gold - "Run Away"
Tycho releases this dreamy new track featuring the velvety vocals of R&B star rum.gold. It's a lovely way to start a week off.
Friday, October 2, 2020
Purity Ring - "Better Off Alone (Alice Deejay cover)"
Purity Ring release this surprise cover of late 1990s Eurodance classic "Better Off Alone" from Dutch DJ collective Alice Deejay. They bring their own sound to the track which is quite beautiful.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Jónsi and Robyn - "Salt Licorice"
Jónsi and Robyn team up for this fun and bizarre track called "Salt Licorice." It's produced by PC Music producer A.G. Cook and appears on Jónsi's new solo album called Shiver which is out tomorrow.