Cautious Clay - "Puffer"

Cautious Clay returns with "Puffer," a 00's inspired alt-pop rocker about our defense mechanisms to deal with the trials and tribulations of life.

Mindchatter - "Math (Westend Remix)"

On his album Dream Soup, Mindchatter's track "Math" is a minimal house exploration with clicking drums and muted synths. Westend tackles a remix and amps up the beats turning it into a moody dance floor filler. And I love the lyric "Everything is math/When you're a sociopath."

Hammock ft. Lumenette - "I'm A Sensory Explosion"

Nashville duo Hammock pairs with Lumenette (Christine Byrd) on the track "I'm A Sensory Explosion" meshing their Just For A Day-era Slowdive lush, echoing guitars with her haunting, ethereal vocals.

 

Mansionair - "Happy Now"

Australian electronic trio Mansionair returns with their new album Happiness, Guaranteed. The track "Happy Now" blends falsetto vocals with organ chimes and dramatic blasts of EDM-like keyboards. 

Tove Lo - "True Romance"

Tove Lo's new single "True Romance," from her upcoming record Dirt Femme, is based on the movie of the same name. The song is a slow-burner that reaches a fever pitch with some of the most powerful vocals of her career. It's rather stunning. 

Röyksopp ft. Karen Harding - "Unity"

Norwegian electronic legends Röyksopp sign up UK singer Karen Harding for the break-beat delight that is "Unity."  Harding's vocals are so on point.

Nova Twins - "Puzzles"

English punk/metal duo Nova Twins just released their second record Supernova, which is killer by the way. Their latest single "Puzzles" is a sex-positive song with cavernous drums, air-raid siren guitars, and the women's playful back and forth vocals.

Pop Will Eat Itself - "The Poppies Strike Back"

Pop Will Eat Itself returns after a 7-year absence with the hard-hitting track "The Poppies Strike Back." It's a welcome return. 

Foals - "Wild Green"

On their new record Life Is Yours, Foals amp up the synths for their most electronic and dancefloor-ready release. "Wild Green" pumps up the rhythm with driving drum programming, pointillistic guitar leads, and strobe light synths.

Belle & Sebastian - "A Bit Of Previous"

Belle & Sebastian recently released their charming new record A Bit Of Previous. One would think a song with the album's title would be on the record, however, you would be most wrong. Anyhow, it's a lovely Smiths-esque jangle-pop track with Stuart Murdoch's trademark wry lyrics.

Working Men's Club - "Circumference"

Majestically icy synths a la early Human League, Depeche Mode, and Joy Division highlight this new track from Working Men's Club's second album Fear Fear.  

Shygirl - "Come For Me"

While we await the release of Shygirl's debut album Nymph, we can be seduced by her intriguing new single "Come For Me." Her breathy vocals, and commanding come-ons, easily float atop producer Arca's futuristic beats and icy synths.

Grace Ives - "Isn't It Lovely"

"Isn't It Lovely" is the opening track on Grace Ives's second album Janky Star. It boasts aquatic synths, skittering drum programming, and Ives' hushed purr. I highly recommend the record; one of the best pop records of the year. 

Horsegirl - "Option 8"

Horsegirl's debut album Versions of Modern Performance channels all the alt-rock icons of the 80s-90s like Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and My Bloody Valentine. I love the ravenous guitars on the stellar track "Option 8."

Sun's Signature (Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins and Damon Reece) - "Underwater"

The second peek into the upcoming EP from Sun's Signature is a slow-burning, dramatic mid-tempo track that has Fraser's still incomparable vocals majestically riding waves of strings and cavernous drums. 

Yeah Yeah Yeahs ft. Perfume Genius - "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World"

The first single off Yeah Yeah Yeahs' upcoming record Cool It Down, "Spitting Off The Edge Of The World" is a stunning power ballad with assistance from Perfume Genius.

 

Purity Ring - "watersong"

In the double honor of synthpop duo Purity Ring's release of their new EP graves, as well as, seeing them live tomorrow night, I am posting the song "watersong" from the EP. It's another gorgeous ballad that, like the song title suggests, has a lot of aqueous synth notes.

Hercules & Love Affair ft ANOHNI - "One"

If the singles released from Hercules & Love Affair's upcoming record In Amber are any indication of the record as a whole, we are expecting something quite tremendous. "One" is another collaboration with ANOHNI who lends her commanding voice to pounding drums and bass and an almost baroque synth melody. 

Novaa - "Indigo"

Berlin-based alt-pop songstress Novaa has a new record out called She's A Star. The entire album is fantastic, coming across like a collaboration between Billie Elish and Tove Lo. "Indigo" is a forceful banger with slamming drums, floaty synths, guitar squalls, and her exquisite voice.