Billie Eilish - "CHIHIRO"

Billie Eilish's third album Hit Me Hard And Soft is a striking collection of ballads and dance tracks that fully displays her amazing talents. I don't think there is a misstep on the entire record and by far my favorite track is the mid-tempo song "CHIHIRO," named after the main character of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. There are so many facets to the music that get increasingly complex as it unfolds.

Ride - "Essaouira"

From Ride's solid new record Interplay, "Essaouira" is an epic 7-minute atmospheric journey featuring a slow build of echoing guitars and trip-hop beats that unleashes into a heady shoegaze storm.

Bleached Cross - "Grief's Eternal Wound"

Chicago post-punk/darkwave band Bleached Cross shares a split EP called Columns of Impenetrable Light with The Truth Faith. "Grief's Eternal Wound" is a propulsive rocker with commanding vocals, roaring guitars, and squealing synths.

Gesaffelstein - "The Urge"

"The Urge" is a thrashing electroclash track that is the lovechild of Suicide and The Jesus and the Mary Chain, full of louche swagger.

Pretty Sick - "Streetwise"

Title track from Sabrina Fuentes' (aka Pretty Sick) upcoming EP. It's a bratty, dark-humored experimental pop song with squelchy beats, buzzing bass, and sardonic lyrics like "Light as feather/Stiff as a board/You might look like Madonna/But I know you're just a whore."

Helsloot ft. Beacon - "Never Tried"

Dutch producer Helsloot joins forces with Beacon for this epic progressive house track. 

Blushing - "Sugarcoat"

The title track off the Austin, TX shoegaze/dream pop quartet Blushing's new record gives serious Lush/Warpaint vibes with its reverb-drenched guitars, oceanic bassline, and ethereal harmonies. The entire album is like a blast from the 90s-alt rock realm. I dig it.

Decant (ft. Kosie) - "Beverly"

Although this song is from last year, I just discovered this Bay Area trio and have been mesmerized by their dark electronic pop. The atmospheric "Beverly," a collaboration with Kosie, features ghostly vocals, Portishead-like keyboards, and an air of melancholy and regret. 

Porij - "Endlessly Waiting"

Manchester quartet Porij's debut album Teething is a delightful mix of downtempo electronica mixed with more upbeat dance tracks. I'm drawn to the tantalizing "Endlessly Waiting" about longing for someone who is away and makes your life feel grounded and safe. 

Soft Kill - "Ready To Die"

Portland's Soft Kill returns with the super solid album Escape Forever. My favorite track is the Depeche Mode-meets-The Cure "Ready To Die" with chiming synths, echoing guitars, and frontman Tobias Grave's initially subdued vocals that slowly morph into anguished cries.  

Willaris. K ft. The Presets - "World Collapsing"

Melbourne producer Willaris. K joins forces with Australian dance music legends The Presets on the epic dance track "World Collapsing." 

Storefront Church - "The High Room"

LA musician Lukas Frank who records under the moniker Storefront Church provides a preview from his sophomore album set to be released later this year. "The High Room" is a grandiose pop drama with swooning vocals and sweeping strings. 

Sega Bodega - "Deer Teeth"

Irish-Chilean producer Sega Bodega's third album is the otherworldly Dennis. You never quite know with him if you will get a massive club banger or esoteric ambient exploration. "Deer Teeth" bridges the gap expertly with pillowy synth landscapes, treated vocals, and clashing drum programming.