Week in Pop
Edmonton, Canada’s The Velveteins shared the single “Don’t Yah Feel Better?” to get your weekend rolling off to a good start with a rhetorical inquiry. Taken from their upcoming debut album Slow Wave available from Fierce Panda Canada later in 2017, the group gets their yah-yahs out with a fun & slacked-back delivery that they attributed to the following influences in the band’s own following words:
I had been listening to a lot of traditional Indian music and i think that’s where the guitar melody came from. After the music had appeared so easily I decided to write the lyrics about how everything you need is there, you just have to stop and listen for it.
On the heels of Sugar Plum, Rousseau shared the new single “Familiar” with the world taken from the New Zealand artist’s forthcoming hello, I know you’re busy EP that moves to express unfiltered feelings. Rousseau works in mysterious manners that utilize electronic audio instrumentt to create new artifices that depict the warmest of sentiments. In the artist’s own words on the new single:
It’s about having an instant connection with a stranger, or someone you’ve just met; the excitement, the curiosity, the nervousness. It’s like there’s something hanging there in the space between you, like a spider web of shared memories, almost tangible but just out of sight. Or maybe it’s an invisible mirror…
Airøspace presents a strange trip through the mediums of analog & digital with a spin of the Analogues mixtape. With a host of collaborators like j-tran, luna, alireza, yungtones, mike melinoe, diversa, Bustre & more; Airøspace takes the listeners on a journey that sounds like something ripped from an alternate Danny Brown universe that the artist described to us with the following insights:
Analøgues is the story of a sullen and broken young man that had fallen to the comforting vastness of his ego and eventually began finding parts of himself.The analogue (sun) is the center of his universe, and the surrounding pieces to his inner system whether normal, or abnormal – “supernova, wormhole, etc.” represent specific situations that have shaken, ruptured, or dismantled him.
Brooklyn’s Love n Lerrone made up of Todd Lerrone and Love Russell dropped their illustrious debut single “Vybe Right” through Houston’s premiere imprint Very Jazzed. L & L bring back your classic vintage r&b dance classics where an entire winter break party breaks out from the ether where suddenly you have an excuse to call out sick to work and anything else you don’t want to mess with.
From Prohibition 3, check out Berner & B-Real’s video for “FTB” from David Camarena that showcases how Taylor Gang’s own along with the Cypress Hill icon “do it for the bud.” A love track to the mythological herb, Berner & B share their passion for the flowers, shatters, oils, extracts & more with a little extra California love.
Introducing rising young artist Lincoln who caught the world’s attention recently with his single “Smokey Eyes” that peers through the obfuscation of smoke, sweat & memories for the meanings that linger beyond the frail pale of memories. Featured off the forthcoming album A Constant State of Ohio available December 9 from Surrender Records, Lincoln pens songs that resound with the all piss & vinegar that first meet the wooden’s bar edge to the cycles of emotion that reach far beyond the last call bell toll.
Oakland’s Soto Voce provided the world with a listen to something “Better” with the Speaking in Tongues remix that illustrates tras woman Kenny Soto’s collaboration with Columbian artist Miguel De Divo. The moods & emotions are cast down different dance-ready tunnels that will inspire as much as they will embed themselves into the forefront of your conscious. Certainly a remix to return to for many an occasion.
Catch the new single “Older” from Parcels featured on their forthcoming January 27 slated Hideout EP Kitsune that delivers all that hopeful/wistful jubilance & gentility that you need to see you through the winter air. Parcels package together a rhythmic collection that takes off according to its own design & designated arrangements of ultra-breezy beauty.
Ro Ransom presented us the single about secret sharers & more with the track “Doppelgänger” that sports production from Brenton Duvall, Sweater Beats, Micah Gordon & Rogét Chahayed featuring brass work by Jonathan Dely. The lover’s rock style works like a break-up confessional where Ro spills out sentiments amid an atmospheric electronic ambiance.
Punskription & Lex Rush dropped the Pitch Her Productions, Film is Animals & Paul Payabyab Cruz video for “Three Words” that takes the “it’s my body and I’ll do what I want to” adage and charges forth from there. We are witnessed to strong women boxers sparring it out while Paul, Lex & crew break through barriers of race, gender to find a greater shared culture on autonomy & respect. Find rhythms & rhymes ensue.
More from the Taylor Gang crew with J.R. Donato’s “All Winter” that drops something to help handle the ice & cold of the snowy season. Donato shows you how to stay balling all winter long while dropping burning bills in between helicopter rides & more.
Knox Hamilton just dropped their Washed Up Together Remix EP and we give you the French Horn Rebellion rework that twists up the glances for some of those super charged dance chords that are met with brass & warped atmospheres that will twist your head & mind around & around while you too will feel that lost in love sentiment.
BOYTOY presents their cover of The Eyes’ 60s classic “When The Night Falls” featured off their new 7” with Switzerland’s own Schade in January available now through Sacred Hood / PaperCup Records. The group’s take on the 60s classic crushes & crashes surf shenanigans for sound that seers with an ominous & mischievous kinda clamor & harmonic crunch. Not to be missed.
From Lily Virginia’s forthcoming audiovisual album Play Me Twice, behold the Alessio Romano video for “All Night” filmed at Studio 42 in Brooklyn where Lily’s intimate audio vibe transcends the cycles of night & day. Virginia indulges in Americana elements that allow emotions & expressions to travel from the night air to the dawning light of the morning break of a newfound day.
Hear the first single from bed. who recorded their debut in December of 2015 with producer Larry Crane via Jackpot! Recording Studio in Portland, Oregon and we bring you their single “Girl”. Joined by Telekinesis’s Michael Lerner on drums, the band deals in some of the most infectious pop that will immediately make an appeal to the front door of your heart with every catchy sound trope that you adore & crave.
Siya shared the smooth as silk single of “Nights B4 You” that basks in the moonlight of remembrances that embrace memories of thoughts on the present. Piano bars are matched up against restrained evening rhythms that reinforce the sultry sounds & feels that abound as Siya spells out her sentiments in song & spoken verse.
Drawing upon experiences adventuring through Switzerland, Kamaliza presents the Cape & Monocle video for the single “Zermatt” that features all the flashing lights you can desire & thrill for. “Zermatt” takes over your imagination in terms of rhythmic structure while the visuals further entertain those feelings to expand along toward seemingly tangible landscapes.
YOU delivered their lovely super DIY single “Inherent Longing” featured off their upcoming third album Mountain Portal available in late January/early February. The Albuquerque by Los Angeles group makes music that anyone & everyone can find a way to connect & relate to according to how each individual responds to the YOU’s evocative & audio of endearment.
Featured off the forthcoming Martyjuana joint, we bring you Marty Grimes’ “Doin’ Thangs” that will help get you proactive with a super smoked-out production you can float to. Connected to G-Eazy & more, Marty brings about some west coast flair that lets his rhymes soar along with the cloudy arrangement that is sure to get you & keep you lifted all day long.
DeFunk embraces their inner-Daft Punk with “Funk Bot” featured off Stepping Out Pt. 2 that imbibes every electro-indulgence imaginable direct upon delivery.
Those looking for something of a pop resurrection this season might do good by checking out JUTAUN’s Back to Life EP that operates on high emotive energy that guides the idiosyncratic arrangements along their path of rejuvenation & modes of rehabilitation.
Saxsyndrum presented us with a listen to the brass inflected new single “Up to You” available on 7″ from Oh Hi b/w a dub version of the track. Saxsyndrum delves into the expansive arrays of infectious audio that the saxophone instruments can provide for practically any song.
Start your dance party on the proper foot with the vibrant & eye catching video for Tkay Maidza’s new single to match with “Simulation” featured off her debut album TKAY available January 20. Digital distortion sets up the situation that delves into the URL/IRL parallax that will instantly make you a fan of Maidza’s ultra-bright style & up-beat presence & style.
Check out The Big Moon’s Louis Bhose video for “Formidable” filmed around Hazel Barrow Farm where long drive narratives carry on to ultra-heightened anthemic levels. Featured off the debut album Love in the 4th Dimension available April 7 from StarTime International / Fiction Records, formidable alliances & opponents alike are illustrated in big pop tones.
Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard remixed Nils Bech’s track “Glimpse of Hope” that was originally found off the DFA album Echo. Goddard hones in on all the brightest stems & peppy percussion beats that is a sure fire way to perk up your mood.
In case it slipped your radar, don’t miss Mat Zo’s rework of Porter Robinson & Madeon’s “Shelter” that finds a new sort of sanctuary & abode through creative re-designs of audio dissonance.
Uniform just announced their forthcoming second album Wake in Fright available January 20 from Sacred Bones and shattered ear drums & destroyed worlds with a listen to the unrepentant opener “Tabloid”. This isn’t just a thumb-through the supermarket newsstands but an all out assault on any & all matter in the immediate area of Uniform’s unforgiving onslaught of sound.
Jenn Grant took us on a reflective trip through the astral plane of thought on “Galaxies” found off her upcoming album Paradise available March 3 from Ba Da Bing Records. Grant takes us all on a pensive earthbound journey that shoots high for the stars in the vast heavens above and lingers between different planets & worlds.
Check out Old Smile’s video for “Mirror on a Blue Hill Pt. I” that incorporates footage captured by the artist Tom Herman wheras other parts were taken from a nature documentary made by Herman’s grandfather a while back. Featured off the EP of the same name, the Jersey artist works in ways that wave & weave textures of instrumental arrangements that will lift skyward to great heights.
Those late to Kevin Krauter of Hoops’ solo work, the Indiana artist presented us with a listen to his beautiful Changes that is guaranteed to make your world a little more plush, lush & all around beautiful. A collection of seasoned songs, Krauter’s Winspear / Warm Ratio release is guaranteed to bring some sunshine into your world from “Shadow Boxing” through “Diamonds”. An event not to be missed for the world.
Brooklyn’s Gabriel Garzón-Montano is readying his debut album Jardín for release January 27 through Stones Throw Records & we give you a listen to the classic vibraphone resonating single “The Game”. With a UK/EU tour happening in February, Gabriel’s sounds craft together the evolution of lush lounge rhythms & blues that are brought together in an audio sport of awakening sensations.
Brooklyn bros Ben & Michael Sugarman with their buddy Ryan Brooks are The Visions who shared the shine & glow of “White Dress” that mixes couture & classy dance pop. The track will provide you something to keep you warm as you go about your holiday schedules, ducking & dodging the hording masses of shoppers as we await their upcoming EP slated for release in 2017.
Helping us get over whatever ails us; we give you LUCA’s single for “Getting Over You” that provides some r&b arrangements to help move forward no matter how hard the process might appear to be.
Nashville’s Chancellor Warhol shared the red & purple lit video for “Prom Tux” directed by the artist. It features the fashionable rhyme-slinger joined by friends at what appears to be an exclusive DIY house party where every room has it’s own thematic decorum & vibe.
Also read our recent interview with Chancellor Warhol here & hear his just released Until The Light Takes Me EP now available via Nashville imprint South by Sea Music.
Behold the single “Pigs are Flying” from Colorado artist Alex Fermanis & his group Meraki. The track provides some cosmic instrumentals to keep you warm & comfortable this winter while you ponder what dreams may arrive in the forthcoming 2017 seasons.
Adam Friedman dropped the new single “Sad” featured off the artist’s forthcoming EP slated for release in 2017 that shares some melancholy sentiments. With a restrained approach, Friedman delivers the message that it’s “okay to be sad sometimes” that will make all weepy hearts smile a little bit more amid their deluge of depression.
Peep the Alonso Bell video for Glass Spells’ “Danger Streets” that dabbles in evening electro synths & views of San Diego street scenes. This is your evening soundtrack for pounding the southern California pavements at night or in the early dawn of morning where danger is defied with confidence at every corner.
Experience Öhrn’s Bang Bang EP available now from Eagle Brain that features Sweden’s rising pop star working with a maximalist pop palette that the surrounding world at large is about to discover.
Norway’s Strange Hellos announced an upcoming album available in fall of 2017 where the supergroup that counts members from Aurora, The Megaphonic Thrift & Casiokids brought us their single “We Are Trouble” courtesy of Brilliance Records. The result is a sound that shines bright like an emerald that glows through the glaciers, snow & sleet were trouble becomes the new type of order.
Alice Jemima’s self-titled album will be available March 3 from Sunday Best and we bring you the Afloat video for “Electric” that brings rooftop night performances to brighten your sophisticated evening soirees.
Jam along to the power pop joys heard on Sewage Farm’s “Everything and Nothing” featured off Cloudy available through Desert Mine Music. The trio of Sam Forrest from Nine Black Alps, Danny Trew Barton from White Firs & percussionist Danny Hirst are seen here traveling about on the long & winding road while shaking a head & leg to their jangly & endearing chords.
