Synthwave trailblazers The New Division drop another anthem with their recent Lust for Lies.  Pushing the retro pop nostalgia beyond new wave, Lust For Lies feels like a turn of the decade lost treasure from the early 90s. We hear evidence of U2 and INXS mixed in with the classic influence of Depeche Mode and Duran Duran.  The production is glorious and effectively features guitar while retaining a synthwave feel.  The instrumentations recalls a similar aesthetic to projects like Retrolyphs and The G.  Check it out.  Lust for Lies is featured on our Best New Sythwave P ..read more

We were drawn to the cinematic reverence of River Wey, the new single from WORRYWORRY.  The performance is amplified by a minimalistic arrangement, no easy feat in the world of atmospheric indie folk.  Still, within that construct the artist scans the depth of the melody’s harmonious spectrum, offering progressive variation withinin the polarities of his primary vocal styles.  Those styles alternating between the retrospective verse sections and the earnest delivery of the chorus.  It offers contrast in a way that bridges the gap between artists like Kings of Convenience an ..read more

Niamh Regan got under our skin with her recent Nice.  Elegantly arranged to highlight the rare features of her voice while offering some abstract groove, Nice is truly superb.  As a unit it finds autonomy.  The composition and progression is unique but stays confined to its signature realm.  Nice doesn’t try to do everything, rather its subscribes to its own brilliance refreshingly.  Her voice could draw some similarities to Feist while the production resonates with early James Blake.  Considering Blake himself broke through with a Feist cover, Niamh Regan convinc ..read more

Proper Youth gracefully capture their essence in the video for their new single Edited Adrenaline.  Every member shines with unique sway and jive within this vibe, an affect that’s illuminated by the cinematographies one shot design.  The camera smoothly navigates between members in a way that profiles them while honoring how they compliment each other.  Stylistically the song reflects the works of The War On Drugs and Lord Huron.  It wears its influences on its sleeve while still feeling fresh.  It’s a solid jam, and the video an effecting calling card to see them in ..read more

We were entranced by the chill groovy brilliance of Mild Wild, the new single from Port Louix.  The vibe is true to its namesake. Mild Wild begs you to dance despite its soft delicate design.  Every sound is careful in how it invites you to sway in tandem with its infectious nature, but what it offers upon acceptance is an effective snap for you to whiplash with inspired conviction.  Stylistically it connects with the spirit of projects like Rhye and The XX. Port Louix add their own rhythmic flavor signature touch to that aesthetic. We can dig it.  Hear Mild Wild now on our ..read more

The rappers who make up UglyFace collectively embody a filthy flow full of stylistic inflection and candid swagger.  It’s on full display with their new single Guilt Trip.  Featuring elements of classic soul, the beat has a cinematic affect.  The various MC’s add to the reference, each bringing their own unique character to accelerate the influence of classic soul into rap.  In the final moments the beat relents to show the origins of this melodic sample.  It’s absolutely delectable.  Dig in.  Hear Guilt Trip now on our Best New Hip Hop Playlist.   Ghos ..read more

Zoë Fromer is ripe with swagger and jive on her new single No Questions.  We love how her voice girates with pomp and pump around the vamped resolutions heard in the verse sections.  The production is littered with sonic treats that vibrate from her aura, responding like warped electrical circuits that spark which each emphatic quip.  No Questions is the right kind of musical courage to inspire a night of careless debauchery, soaked in its preferred stylistic aesthetic, a mix of classic punk and smart indie angst.  In that way it reflects projects like Liz Phair, PJ Harvey ..read more

Sultry soul collides with groovy psych pop on Pressure, the infectious breakthrough single from Raelle.  Dressed differently Pressure could adapt like a retro throwback in the spirit of Amy Winehouse. Raelle reaches beyond vintage soul with a production style that reflects an expressive modern alternative R&B electro influence.  Raelle embraces her trippy sonic instincts, allowing some psychedelia to pierce through in a way that’s exhilarating.  The mood is comforting, reimagining the idea of a Pressure complex in a way that’s liberating.  The songs groovy nature adds t ..read more

The vibrant alt pop of The Ransom suits the chrome Sin City style video for the new single from chameleon.  The mystery unravels in tandem with the songs dramatic ascension, as the artist captures a trademark performance worthy of a side career as an actor.  The impressive dark black and white cinematography and the signature costumery cites classic cinema elegantly.  The video is a triumph.  Check it out.  chameleon – The Ransom With the politics of Israel thrust to the forefront of geopolitical conversation, it’s hard to remember that the legacy of this culture exte ..read more

It’s our weekly Music Video discovery segment, and this time it’s genre specific! It was just simply by chance, but we’re not made about it. Get to know the new Emerging Indie Folk releases we love! The Ballroom Thieves drop an introspective Americana musical gift with their recent Everything Is Everything.  The kind of song to serve as a soundtrack for self discovery, the group amplifies that affect with an inspiring music video.  Stylized with nostalgic flavor and boosted by a clever narrative, the video is full of charm much like the project itself.  Singer Calin Peters serve ..read more