Ghost Mountain - "October Country"

A witch house revival is taking place, and I, for one, am here for it.  Ghost Mountain, part of the Northern California rap collective Haunted Mound, has released a mixtape reveling in the genre's tropes: murky, tinny drum machines, blasted and reverbed synths, and masked vocals. The title track, "October Country," is a prime example.

The Horrors - "The Feeling Is Gone"

The Horrors' sixth album, Night Life, moves away from the guitar-heavy tracks of the past and into the dark, synth-driven world of Sisters of Mercy's Floodland. "The Feeling Is Gone" features Arctic-cold synths, foggy drum machines, and Faris Badwan's goth prince baritone.

No Body ft. Aydo Abay - "Fear of the Golden Hour"

German post-punk/synthpop act Nobody teams up with Aydo Abay for the collaborative record Loves You. My favorite track is the haunting, synth-wash-drenched "Fear of the Golden Hour."

Factory Floor - "Between You"

Recorded with Stephen Morris of New Order, "Between You," the newest single from London's Factory Floor, is a slamming, euphoric banger. Makes me want to hit the dancefloor. 

Bob Mould - "Neanderthal"

From his fantastic new record Here We Go Crazy, "Neanderthal" is a blistering rager.

Sally Shapiro - "The Other Days"

Swedish duo Sally Shapiro returns with a new album, Ready to Live a Lie, set for release in May. The first single is the delightfully melancholy "The Other Days," featuring their trademark lush synths and aching vocals.

Lady Gaga ft. Gesaffelstein) - "Killah"

Mayhem is a return to form for Lady Gaga, leaning more into weird artpop, which is always her sweet spot. "Killah," a collaboration with Gesaffelstein, marries Depeche Mode beats with David Bowie/Prince swagger.

Marie Davidson - “Y.A.A.M.’

Montreal musician Marie Davidson owns your ass on the hot electro track “Y.A.A.M.”

 

which is found on her new album City of Clowns. 

Soft Blue Shimmer - "Soonby"

Shoegaze/dream-pop act Soft Blue Shimmer revels in Chapterhouse-like dance beats and swirling guitars on the track "Soonby." You can listen to it on their latest record, They Will Leave Us With Nothing.

 

YHWH Nailgun - "Animal Death Already Breathing"

From New York experimental rockers YHWH Nailgun's upcoming record 45 Pounds, "Animal Death Already Breathing" is a lurching, tribal collusion of pounding drums and moaning electronics.

Bdrmm - "Snares"

UK shoegaze/dream pop act Bdrmm's latest record Microtonic moves more electronically, expanding their already intriguing sound. "Snares" is a rush of "Idioteque" hyper-percussion and undulating waves of synths.

Andy Bell - "apple green ufo"

This week, Ride's Andy Bell released his third solo album, Pinball Wanderer. He locks into a Stone Roses-like groove on the hypnotic track "apple green ufo."

Model/Actriz - "Cinderella"

My favorite new band Model/Actriz announced the release of their sophomore album Pirouette, set for release in May. The first single is the quietly menacing "Cinderella." 

Canty - "St Marks"

London musician Canty's vocals may not be the most intelligible, marble-mouthed might be a good descriptor, however, when it's this evocative, it doesn't quite matter. You feel what he is singing, even if you don't know what it is about. The single "St Marks" can be found on his mixtape Dim Binge.

Skeleten - "Mindreader"

Chilled out, blissful track. Get lost in it. 

Peter Murphy ft. Trent Reznor - "Swoon"

Electro-industrial collaboration between Peter Murphy and Trent Reznor. 

The Weeknd - "Open Hearts"

"Open Hearts," from The Weeknd's new record Hurry Up Tomorrow, is maximalist synthpop at its finest. 

Tunde Adebimpe - "Drop"

Tunde Adebimpe, lead singer of TV on the Radio, will release his first solo record in April, titled Thee Black Boltz. The second single from the record is called "Drop" and it's a lovely, shuffling track that highlights his expressive vocals.

High. - "Catcher"

New Jersey "noisegaze" band High. recently dropped their record Come Back Down. Their single "Catcher" is a meditation on grief that rides a wave of monolithic guitars. 

Perfume Genius - "It's A Mirror"

Muscular first single from the upcoming album Glory. The track is dramatic and builds to a great conclusion. 

DJ Koze ft. Ada - "Unbelievable"

Wear your best headphones to listen to his immersive single from DJ Koze ft. Ada.  It's both beautiful and unsettling. It will be featured on DJ Koze's upcoming record Music Can Hear Us.

FKA twigs - "Striptease"

FKA twigs is having her moment this year with the release of her brilliant new record Eusexua; which feels like her Hounds of Love mixed with Ray of Light and Homogenic. "Striptease" hits hard with processed vocals over metallic beats and gossamer synths. 

Chalk - "Afraid"

The Belfast post-punk/electronic trio Chalk will obliterate your speakers with the incendiary track "Afraid," which rages like an outtake from NIN's Broken EP. 

Bryan's Magic Tears - "Side By Side"

How to describe this band.... Madchester meets shoegaze meets dream pop? Their new record Smoke and Mirrors sounds like Primal Scream meets Ride/MBV and Jesus and Mary Chain. I adore the swirling rush of Madchester beats and revved guitars of "Side By Side."

Clara La San - "Run To You"

British singer Clara La San channels Aaliyah and trip-hop on the breathless track "Run To You." 

SAULT - "I Look For You"

On Christmas day, British experimental R&B group SAULT surprise released their latest record Acts of Faith. Opening track "I Look For You" unhurriedly floats on a jazzy, ambient undercurrent.

The Innocence Mission - "A Different Day"

The Innocence Mission has been crafting intricate, evocative folk-pop for five decades and continues with their latest record Midwinter Swimmers. The closing track "A Different Day" is a diaphanous journey of guitar, piano, and whispering percussion, with Karen Peris' childlike, dreamlike vocals. You will love this band if you enjoy The Sundays and Beach House.

Skeleten - "Viagra"

Russ Fitzgibbon's Skeleten project drops the Mentalized album next month. The sleek, dance-centric track was released in October but will be featured on the record.

Celeste - "Everyday"

British singer Celeste drops a surprise single called "Everyday." The dark and brooding track samples Death In Vegas' song "Dirge." 

trauma ray - "U.S.D.D.O.S."

 Happy New Year! We're in that odd period where few new tracks and albums are released; as such, I am digging into deep cuts from favorite records from the past year. Fort Worth metalgazers trauma ray released a killer record called Chameleon, and the epic closing track "U.S.D.D.O.S." ends things in a dreamlike, meditative way.