Solar Bears‘ “Neon Colony” begins as a journey in sequenced drums, slowly building upon compounded layers of glowing synth chords, and resulting in a collage of warm sounds and textures. However, something remarkable occurs around 1:35, a painfully melancholy guitar melody creeps in and marks the song’s gradual yet surprising ascension to unfamiliar cosmic territory. “Neon Colony” is from the upcoming debut She Was Coloured In out in September on Planet Mu.
Philadelphia-based solo artist Sweet Lights creates Beach Boys-inspired anthems with towering walls of sound and harmony. Add some retro breaking and you’ve got yourself a bona fide churning pop tune with “Are We Gonna Work It Out”. Available now on debut full-length Sweet Lights from Band Camp.
Vancouver’s Teen Daze and Chicago’s Houses, two anonymous up-and-coming electro-pop outfits, join forces to create the glistening “Bikes”. Feels like a breezy yet humid bike ride at dusk… ethereal voices are soaked in heavy bass and drips of percussion… put this on repeat and feel the full weight of the song, phenomenal!
Electro-groove mastermind Chad Valley offers up a brand spankin’ new floor-bumper. “Anything” operates as a funk-cruiser with a pimpin’ bass pluck, disembodied vocal swoops, and washes of hi-hat ticks… plus that ridiculously legit breakdown at the 2:34 mark. Song is disco-funkin’ my face off right now!
Greenville, SC native Noah Smith operates as groove-maker Hard Mix. His latest “Memories” is a dark and wobbly grind, lifting samples from a beach-music classic, draping them over a synth and bass beat, and rubbing the entire thing in night-time vinyl static… perfect for the after-after-party: sitting in your room nodding to some somber jams.
Glasser (aka Cameron Mesirow) readies her debut album Ring for an early Fall release. On album cut “Home”, crisp vocals and a dripping marimba become engulfed by a storm of strings and uplifting bass drones. Ring will be out September 28th on True Panther.
The Brooklyn four-piece Small Black fight the chillwave typecasting with the incredible “Photojournalist”, a focused dive into the urban influences of New Order. Breathy harmonies and a tunneling beat are topped off with a soaring chorus… I think I’m in love. “Photojournalist” is from the upcoming debut New Chain out October 26th on Jagjaguwar.
The beautifully crafted “Golden Haze” creeps out of the shadows and fills your ears with glowing, snaking guitar lines and a shimmering chorus… makes me want to lay around and watch clouds pass by. Wild Nothing will release “Golden Haze” on an upcoming 12″ via Captured Tracks.
Rugged, sample-heavy noise rocker from the LA-based duo No Age. With catchy anthemic lines and a stomping back beat, “Glitter” screeches along a scenic deserted highway filled with introspection. “Glitter” is from the upcoming full-length Everything In Between out September 28th on Sub Pop.
Minimal electro-producer Gold Panda readies his debut album by offering his latest “Snow & Taxis”. The song begins with a commanding reggaeton beat and shifts to the effervescent electronic cycling reminiscent of The Field. “Snow & Taxis” is from the upcoming debut Lucky Shiner out October 12th on Ghostly.
