Car Seat Headrest - "Golden Years (David Bowie Cover)"

Last year, Car Seat Headrest released their album Making A Door Less Open, and they have just released two EPs. One is a set of remixes of songs from the album called MADLO: Remixes and the other is called MADLO: Influences, which features cover songs of artists that influenced the album, including Kate Bush, The Who, and Nine Inch Nails. My favorite, however, is their cover of David Bowie's "Golden Years." I love how they lean into his plastic soul sound, which suits them very well.

Fabrik - "The Draw"

Birmingham, England quartet Fabrik creates their songs by building from loops and samples then adding more traditional instrumentation; drawing inspiration from bands like Portishead and Boards of Canada. "The Draw" is based on loops of blocky drums and horns. Slowly the piece gathers under clouds of mourning synths and muffled vocals. There is a sinister vibe echoing through the song and builds to a tense finale.

 

EKKSTACY ft. The Drums - "f*ck everything!"

Rising star EKKSTACY has teamed up with Johnny Pierce of The Drums for this spiky post-punk track with brittle guitars and swooning synths.

 

Minotaur Shock - "Qui"

Bristol producer David Edwards, aka Minotaur Shock, released a new, wonderful ep called Qi. All of the compositions were recorded live on one piece of equipment, the Electron Digitone. While there is a formal, rigidness to the beats, recalling the preciseness of Autechre, the keyboards have a wonderful, playful nature. "Qui" is such a track that also recalls the mischievousness of Black Dog, Plaid, and Aphex Twin. It's charming.

Deb Never - "Disassociate"

 

LA singer/songwriter Deb Never returns with her new single "Disassociate" which starts out as a delicate acoustic ballad. but hits alt-rock heights on the killer chorus. 

Yves Tumor - "Jackie"

"Jackie" finds Yves Tumor exploring their best rock star attitude. Over sludgy drums and bass, Tumor throws wailing guitars and swirling keyboards in the mix with a very emotional vocal. I am so excited to hear what they come up with next. 

Sally Shapiro - "Fading Away"

Swedish duo Sally Shapiro (the project of producer Johan Agebjörn and an anonymous singer who goes under the name Sally Shapiro) have come out of retirement with a new single, the throbbing, dark dance floor track called "Fading Away." They are also working on a new album for Johnny Jewel's Italians Do It Better label.

Annie ft. Jake Shears - "Neon Lights"

Norwegian pop star Annie teams up with Jake Spears for this bubblegum pop track. It's super cute, corny, and a fun Friday track.

H.E.R. - "We Made It"

Grammy and Oscar winner H.E.R. is releasing her debut album Back Of My Mind tomorrow. Single "We Made It" is a look back on her journey to superstardom and shows exactly she got there, through persistence and amazing talent.

 

Kölsch ft. Lunar June - "Closer"

Danish DJ/producer Kölsch teams up with British artist Lunar June for this lovely downtempo track with its insistent beats, minimalist synths, and Lunar June's emotional vocals. It can be found on Kölsch's new EP called Isopolis.

Suzanne Kraft - "Waiting"

Suzanne Kraft, a.k.a. producer Diego Herrera, dips his toes into dream pop and shoegaze with the atmospheric, languid track "Waiting."

Garbage - "Godhead"

From Garbage's new record No Gods No Masters, "Godhead" is a blistering industrial pop track that is a tongue-in-cheek dissection of sexism and misogyny. Shirley Manson is in fine form spitting out lyrics like "If I had a dick/Would you know it?/If I had a dick/Would you blow it?"

 

Skrillex ft. Noisia & josh pan & Dylan Brady - "Supersonic (My Existence)"

Skrillex has been quite busy lately, releasing several singles over the past few weeks. This song is a collaboration with Dutch electronic trio Noisia, vocals by josh pan, and 100 gecs' Dylan Brady. It's a very textural track but is kept in check by pan's haunting vocals. 

Loraine James - "Self Doubt (Leaving The Club Early)"

The London producer's new album Reflection is a dizzying array of experimental electronic music that constantly amazes as well as challenges. "Self Doubt (Leaving The Club Early)" is a mesh of 8-Bit chirps and bleeps with erratic, loping percussion, and surprisingly tender swells of synths. James' voice is hushed and melancholy, giving the icy sheen of the music depth and tenderness.

Deafheaven - "Great Mass Of Color"

File the new song by Deafheaven under holy smokes left-field turn Batman! Deafheaven is generally known for its intense black metal sound, with textured sounds adapted from shoegaze, and George Clarke's trademark guttural howls. From their upcoming record Infinite Granite, "Great Mass Of Color" finds the band taking a more melodic approach and Clarke's vocals are absolutely gorgeous, showing an emotional range that was not known before. Don't get wrong, it is still an awesome rock song, it just shows more range and depth. I cannot wait for this record to come out.

Xyla - "Feel"

 

Bay-Area producer Xyla's debut album Ways is chameleonic in its sounds and moods, willing to shift and change into whatever feels right at any given moment. "Feel" starts out with some heavy drum beats and seems like it is going to build into something big and bold. Just as you expect the song to take off it shifts, with pillowy synth pads taking the lead, and the heavy drums retreating into more of an alien heartbeat.

Japanese Breakfast - "Posing In Bondage"

Japanese Breakfast has just released her new record Jubliee last week and, according to her, the album was influenced by Bjork's Homogenic and Wilco's Summer Teeth. As odd as that pairing seems, when you listen to the record, it makes sense. "Posing In Bondage" definitely leans towards Homogenic, with its aching, pulsating synths, forlorn vocals, and haunting lyrics about loneliness and lack of connection.

Jessie Ware - "Hot N Heavy"

In advance of the release of What's Your Pleasure? The Platinum Pleasure Edition, a deluxe reissue with 6 new tracks, Jessie Ware teases it with the new song "Hot N Heavy." Co-produced with SG Lewis it is a swirling, disco extravaganza that is joyous and super sexy. 

CHVRCHES ft. Robert Smith - "How Not To Drown"

CHVRCHES teams up with The Cure's Robert Smith for the propulsive track "How Not to Drown" from their upcoming record Screen Violence. It sounds exactly like what you'd expect from a collaboration from the bands; i.e., pretty darn perfect.

Róisín Murphy - "Shellfish Mademoiselle (Paul Woolford Remix)"

Paul Woolford brings dramatic house flourishes to this excellent song from Róisín Murphy. It's a great song about knowing your self-worth and choosing your own happiness. I love these lyrics:

"When will it ever be a good time?
When is it ever gonna be the right time?
How dare you sentence me
To a lifetime without dancing
When I'm already lost in the groove (I'm already lost in the groove)
I'm long gone, long gone
I'm long gone, life's too short"

Hugo Massien - " Skin On Skin"

Berlin-based UK producer Hugo Massien has just released his debut album Metamorphosis and it is a killer combo of dancefloor-ready bangers and more experimental excursions. "Skin On Skin" falls into the former category, throwing down monstrous breakbeats and haunting synths.