Loma - "Elliptical Days"

 The trio Loma has returned with their sophomore record Don't Shy Away, and it is another set of tracks that blur the lines between traditional song structures and forays into electronics.  The band almost broke up but a compliment from none other than Brian Eno made them reevaluate the breakup (and even got an assist from Eno on the track "Homing").  "Elliptical Days" is a perfect melding of strings, horns, Asian elements, almost choral vocals, and subtle electronics.  

Soft Kill ft. Tamaryn - "Floodgate"

 Portland post-punk band Soft Kill joins with singer Tamaryn on this sublime shoegaze/dream pop track.  Shimmering guitars wind around soaring washes of synths.

Bree Runway ft. Missy Elliott - "ATM" (NSFW)

 Rising UK rap star Bree Runway teams up with the legendary Missy Elliott for this bawdy track that is one of the most fun songs I have heard this year.

MorMor - "Don't Cry"

 

Toronto-based artist MorMor returns with this explosive new single filled with driving drums, tightly-wound basslines, and roaring synths.  It's a striking meditation on life during the lockdown.

Salem - "Red River"

It's been 10 years since "witch house" pioneers released their fantastic debut album King Night.  With little fanfare, they released their sophomore record Fires In Heaven last week. Now a duo, the band hasn't so much expanded their sound but rather have streamlined it and made it even more razor-sharp. Single "Red River" is a particularly menacing track with funeral-like trap beats, guttural vocals, and icy synths.

  
 

Babeheaven - "In My Arms"

 

"In My Arms" is the gorgeous new single from Babeheaven's upcoming debut album Home For Now.  Frontwoman Nancy Anderson's voice is like butter and the song slowly builds into something quite majestic; think of something from Love Deluxe-era Sade.  This is a band to watch.

Phantoms ft. Sarah Close - "Moonlight"

 With everything going on in the world today it's hard to not get mired in the doom and gloom.  LA producers Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola who make music under the name Phantoms have teamed up with singer Sarah Close for this ode to wanting to be dancing with someone underneath the moonlight.  Hopefully, soon we can all be dancing again and the doom and gloom will fade away.