Kiasmos - "Dazed"

Kiasmos (the duo comprised of Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds and Faroese musician Janus Rasmussen) are set to release their second album II in July. One of the first preview tracks is the contemplative "Dazed" with its deceptively simple piano melody, whispered electronics, and subtle beats.

Bad Omens ft. HEALTH & Swarm - "The Drain"

Bad Omens team up with industrial/noise rock outfit HEALTH and electronic artist Swarm on the dark, pulsating track "The Drain" that samples the Bad Omens' track "The Death of Peace of Mind." The song will appear on Bad Omens's upcoming Concrete Jungle (The OST) album. 

Arooj Aftab - "Raat Ki Rani"

Grammy-winning Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab channels her inner Sade on this achingly beautiful song. It will appear on her upcoming album Night Reign. 

Caribou - "Honey"

Caribou (aka Dan Snaith) has released its first new music under that moniker since 2020. "Honey" is a slamming club banger with UK-garage-like beats and jeep-rattling bass.

Local Natives - "Throw It In The Fire"

Gorgeous, melancholy track off Local Natives' latest album But I'll Wait For You. The harmonies are spot on.

Nia Archives - "Blind Devotion"

Nia Archives' debut record Silence Is Loud is the perfect marriage of experimental jungle beats and pop sensibilities. "Blind Devotion" pairs intense, skittering drum programming with forlorn keyboards and Nia's aching vocals.

Mount Kimbie - "Shipwreck"

Languid, guitar-centric track off Mount Kimbie's excellent new record The Sunset Violent features hazy vocals and subtle electronic flourishes.

dj poolboi ft. DJ Cinema Quartier Latin - "know each other so well"

dj poolboi's style, aka Austin, Texas resident Adam Ansley, has been defined as emo house, blu-wave, and music for the bike ride home in the dark. His latest record into blue light definitely lives up to those descriptions. "know each other well" has a late-night, lonely feel. 

Fabiana Palladino - "In The Fire"

Fabiana Palladino, daughter of the legendary bassist Pino Palladino, has worked behind the scenes for a long time, providing backing vocals for artists like Jessie Ware and Jai Paul. Her self-titled debut is out now and is a sleek collection of sophisticated pop songs. "In the Fire" is a smoldering midtempo track that recalls Tin Drum-era Japan. It's lovely. 

+/- (Plus/Minus) - "Borrowed Time"

"Borrowed Time" is the first music from +/- (Plus/Minus) in over 10 years. It's a quirky indie-electro track built around a feature on a Moog Matriarch synthesizer that randomizes octaves so you don’t know where any single note will land. It also features hyperkinetic drumming and dreamy, harmonized vocals.

Ibibio Sound Machine - "Mama Say"

Ibibio Sound Machine's new album Pull The Rope will be released next month. "Mama Say" is an infectious dance track with funky synths and West African vocal inflections; with an ending that takes a Talking Heads Remain In Light-era turn. This record is one of my most highly anticipated of the year

Tatyana - "Down Bad"

Tatyana's debut album It's Over is a strikingly assured collection of avant-pop bangers. "Down Bad" rides squelchy synths over LCD Soundsystem-like dance-punk beats.

King Yosef - "Dredge"

Yosef Pelletier (aka King Yosef) released this latest double single recently. "Mist of Pain" is an intense, Ministry-esque industrial hardcore track, while "Dredge" tones down the aural assault, leaning into more atmospheric territory, like when Deftones channel their inner goth child.