Amongst the noise, you can find the ‘Softness’.
Tropic Harbour is the dreamy pop project created by Canadian native, Mark Berg.
Using music as a crutch to recover from the daily grind and a reminder to practice self-love, the visuals for his down-tempo single, ‘Softness’, perfectly match this attitude in a bid to slow things down.
Expect the ‘Calm’ EP on 26 April.
Sounds like: Summer Heart, DIIV, Jessy Lanza
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Canadian producer Felix Cartal has teamed up with alt-pop singer/songwriter Lights for his debut single of 2019, the emotive and yet entirely groove-worthy ‘Love Me.’
A collaboration through and through, the song was born by just the two of them from start to finish and has everything you want from a decent dance-pop track – organic instrumental chords, indulgent melodies and a stunning vocal performance.
Sounds like: The Him, Le Youth
RKCB – Till We’re In The Sea
Los Angeles-based duo RKCB shares the beautiful new single, ‘Till We’re In The Sea’.
RKCB fuses neo-soul, modern electronic R&B and dreamy synth-pop with avant-garde lyrics, resulting in an unparalleled sound that has echoes of Icelandic band, Ásgeir, bringing back memories of long drives by the cold seaside.
The song is taken from their ‘Shores’ EP which aims to tackle global warming and climate change.
Sounds like: Ásgeir, Talos, Aquilo, Solomon Grey
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Like Swimming – The Ground
It’s been a minute since we last covered Swedish trio, Like Swimming and goodness aren’t we glad they’re back!
‘The Ground’, the more organic and typical indie-pop style compared to their last single, ‘Strike A Pose’, is released ahead of their double EP Resistance / Relations’, out on DigSin.
Sounds like: Chvrches, Chrome Sparks, Of Monsters & Men
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ROE – Down Days
Rising folktronica artist ROE has just reeased her new single ‘Down Days’, whilst currently on a UK tour with Snow Patrol.
A song dedicated to those down days, the song is described as “grumpy electro-pop” by ROE herself, but we think this gives herself an injustice as we all suffer down days and there’s nothing wrong with being reflective about that.
‘Down Days’ is out now via Fictive Kin Records.
Sounds like: Emma McGrath, Soak, Florence + The Machine
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Jack Hawitt – Grow
You may not know the name Jack Hawitt, but you soon will.
Despite his HUGE success with previous releases with DJ Lucious and his cover of Dua Lipa‘s ‘Be The One’, his new single ‘Grow’ seems like the first personal release from the solo act – and one that is about “embracing the past and diving into the future.”
Sounds like: Matt Corby, Freya Ridings
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Fintan – Say It Again
Meet Canadian busker and soon-to-be-artist, Fintan.
A deeply honest take on modern-day pop music, confessional track ‘Say It Again’ is the closest Fintan has come to knowing himself, being as deeply honest as possible.
Sounds like: Troye Sivan
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Trapdoor Social – The Move
Independent band Trapdoor Social are on ‘The Move’ with new single.
Blending Cali surf rock with pop/rock, the band’s music is energetic and passionate, with lyrics that play with love, philosophy, and social critique.
Sounds like: The Kooks, Panic! At The Disco, Great Good Fine Ok
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We predict that 2019 will be the year of contemporary alt-jazz tunes. Setting the year off right is Tali (aka Tali Kouchnir) and her new single, ‘Comfortable In Another Bed’.
The video has a classic chic feel and cleverly leans into nostalgic tendencies with weighty folk-pop elements. About the track, Tali explains,
“This song is about working out if you will ever be comfortable with someone – really playing with the idea that comfort is love,” explains TALI. ‘Everyone wants love, and comfort can make or break that. What I was really asking here was ‘where’s that guy who brings that comfort and makes me feel good and safe through love?'”
Sounds like: Birdy, Jesse Ware, Emma McGrath
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We don’t usually share remixes but this one landed in our inbox and we couldn’t resist sharing.
It’s the TRU Concept remix of Toronto-based pop artist, Lo Lo‘s ‘Convenient’, in which she thanks TRU Concept for “reimagining my F#@K you pop song and turning it into a banging F#@K you dance track.”
Listen below.
Sounds like: Dominique, CAPPA
Lo Lo
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Sounds like: Gryffin, Blonde, Le Youth, Pat Lok, Just Kiddin, Kygo
TRU Concept
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Canadian dance producer Pat Lok has teamed up with pop artist Kate Stewart on his new single called ‘Know Me’, ahead of his second studio EP campaign soon, out on Kitsuné.
To celebrate the release, we asked Pat Lok to put together a playlist for us.
Pat Lok – Know Me ft Kate Stewart
My new song “Know Me” is all about that moment when you first meet someone and there’s chemistry but you’re still trying to play it a little cool, not move too fast. Musically it’s inspired by 80s boogie, an incredible era for music – which is the theme of this playlist.
D-Train – You’re The One For Me
That synth riiff is so SO recognizable, one of the greatest little hooks ever. D-Train has such an emotional tone to his voice. No wonder it’s one of the most sampled records of all time.
Janet Jackson – When I Think Of You
You can’t have 80s without including Janet, her productions with Jam & Lewis still sound pristine today. It’s tough to write rnb classics in a major key but they did it so well here with that simple repeating bassline.
The SOS Band – High Hopes
SOS Band has so many great songs but this is more on the chill and disco side of things, with the live bass holding it down. And then that hook! So groovy I just never want it to end.
Cherelle – I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On
When people say 80s boogie, this song is what they mean. A simple unforgettable vocal, huge funky synth stabs, a strutting bassline bouncing between the kick and snare. Untouchable.
Imagination – Just An Illusion
One of the most prolific yet oft forgotten acts of the 80s era, Imagination lived up to their name with terrific songwriting wrapped in sensual mystique and exotic outfits. Their album covers are among my all time favorites, you’ll want to check out their videos.
Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real
Not many songs are recognizable from the very first note. Soundtracking everything from the first NYC vogue contests to your aunt’s wedding. Again a bit more disco with all the horn instrumentation and less synths but with that kick – snare groove I’m sneaking this one in.
Janet Jackson – The Pleasure Principle
Yup doubling down on Janet. Written by The Time’s Monte Moir, this one perfectly encompasses the era, that balance between live instrumentation and synths (which were finally becoming mainstream in pop music). Janet’s vocals wander all over the place, which is probably why there are versions near 10 min long but I love every minute of it.
The BB&Q Band – Dreamer
Funky, dreamy, spacey. Those sparkly synth areggios swirling around the sequenced drum machine. One of the unsung classics!
Change – Searching
Featuring a guy named Luther Vandross before he got all famous. This one sets the standard for triplet-time (6/8) dance music.
Pat goes on tour with Party Pupils.
Sounds like: Goldroom, Le Youth, Just Kiddin, Blonde, Ava Max, Gigamesh, SG Lewis, Moulinex
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WILLA – Cause You Did
Much like Charli XCX, Toronto-based pop artist WILLA has music and colour synesthesia; a cross-sensory condition which allows those who have it to experience things with more than one sense.
Channelling a new sparkling colour in ‘Cause You Did,’ WILLA confronts the feelings of pain associated with the person that hurt her the most.
Sounds like: Billie Eilish, VÉRITÉ, Charli XCX
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Coach & Ref – Decisions Feat. Mike Taylor
Boston-based futurist nu-electro/synth-pop duo Coach & Ref team up with Los Angeles-based talent Mike Taylor on their highly optimistic new single, ‘Decisions’.
Speaking of the track,
“Decisions is a song that answers a question people ask me all the time “Why are you so damn happy” and the answer for me is, “I choose to be so damn happy”. It’s as simple as that.”
Sounds like: Sofi Tukker, Taylor Swift
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RKCB – Know Love
RKCB is Los Angeles-based twosome comprised of Riley Knapp and Casey Barth.
Their single ‘Know Love’ is about accepting change, inspired by a book written by Alan Watts during the duo’s time in London, and is full of R&B leaning pop melodies and waves of synths loops and impassioned vocals.
Sounds like: Talos, Aquilo, Solomon Grey
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CUB – Don’t Wanna Know Feat. Clara Hurtado
Rising young producer CUB shares his new single ‘Don’t Wanna Know’.
Once again featuring the vocal talents of The Voice UK’s Clara Hurtado, CUB and Hurtado manage to perfectly unite electronic dance and pop realms.
Sounds like: Draper, Jake Alder, Diplo, Mura Masa, Zedd
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Joakim Molitor – Back To You
Arguably Sweden’s best kept secret, Joakim Molitor today shares his short and snappy single ‘Back To You’, out on TEN (Zara Larsson, Icona Pop, Niki & The Dove, Benjamin Ingrosso).
All good things come to end, but luckily SoundCloud has a repeat play button for this uplifting romantic, electronic ballad.
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Harlee – Now I Know
We recently discovered rising pop-star, Harlee and we haven’t been able to get enough of her stunning debut four-track EP, ‘It’s Personal’.
The lead single from the EP, ‘Now I Know’, was written when Harlee was just 14 and explores the feelings that she experienced coming out of her first relationship and the first time she had ever felt pain.
Sounds like: Jess Glynne, Blonde, Dua Lipa
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WYVE – Sunset on the Bay
Emphatic electro-pop band WYVE from France share their upbeat debut single, ‘Sunset on the Bay’.
Groovy by nature, WYVE effortlessly bounce between 80’s retro vibes and contemporary drumbeats and sugary synths. Having already made a start on their debut album, we are excited about what’s to come from the musical pioneers.
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Anna Pancaldi – Peace
Anna Pancaldi releases her guitar-driven song, ‘Peace’.
Since working with producer Matt Ingram (Florence & The Machine, Lianne La Havas, Laura Marling), Pancaldi has really got down to business honing her sound and adding more grit to her already heart-felt songwriting skills.
On ‘Peace’, Pancaldi states,
“A challenge at first but now an exhilarating awakening having discovered and then explored the electric guitar. ‘Peace’ is my first ‘foot stomper’ track which I think will surprise listeners who’ve been on the journey with me so far. It feels a bold evolution for me so here we go.”
Sounds like: London Grammar, Adele, Rhye, Birdy, Maiday, Courtney Barnett
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OSTON – bad
We stumbled upon Chicago-based newbie OSTON on SoundCloud randomly this morning and just had to include her debut single ‘bad’ in our weekly gems.
The Chicago-based songstress embraces the misfit world, snuggling up nicely to acts such as Billie Eilish and RALPH, with her captivating take on pop.
Expect her ‘Sitting at the Kids Table,’ EP soon.
Sounds like: Billie Eilish, VÉRITÉ, RALPH
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Calper x Latir – Run To The Moon
Uk producer Calper and North London artist Latir have teamed up on new single ‘Run To The Moon’.
With it’s subtle of hints of dance sensibilities, the track never quite takes off in that direction, but it’s not big deal as we absolutely love the romantic escapism inspired in the track.
Sounds like: Craig David, Bipolar Sunshine, Ayelle
Calper
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Latir
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Tep No – Fighting
Canadian producer and remixer, Tep No, returns with new single ‘Fighting’.
Summer-ready production, floating vocals, and topics of melancholy make this the perfect way to see through the end of summer.
Speaking about his brand-new single ‘Fighting’, he says,
“‘Fighting’ is about the difficulty of breakups and moving past relationships, feeling like a part is taken away when it’s over, the loneliness, not knowin how to move on.”
Sounds like: Robin Schulz, Klingande, Goldroom, Vancouver Sleep Clinic, Bon Iver, Summer Heart, Washed Out, Day Wave
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Super Duper – Horizons
Experimenting with vocal chops and melodic riffs, ‘Horizons’ is upbeat and memorable.
Exciting Nashville producer and creator Super Duper has managed to do something unheard of – create a repetitive song that is quite simply addictive, and in no way annoying. Even Super Duper puts it on repeat, and you should too.
Sounds like: Kasbo, Petit Biscuit, Big Wild
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Quebec-based duo Fjord are masters at creating lush, ambient pop, rich in both synthesized and recorded textures.
‘Lay Down Your Veil’ is the first single off Fjord’s forthcoming ‘Shallow Waters’ EP, which was written in Quebec City, produced in London with the help of Tim Bran (Bloc Party, London Grammar, La Roux), and features live string recordings from the Quebec Symphonic Orchestra.
Sounds like: Imogen Heap, Japanese House, Daughter, Solomon Grey
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Sugarcane – Bethnal Green Blues
Comprised of Robin French (Cuckoo) and Antonia Thomas (Misfits, Lovesick), these two creatives write seductive bossa nova music paired with calypso pop sensibilities that would fit well on the soundtrack of ‘The End of the F***ing World’.
On the motivation behind Bethnal Green Blues, Robin states,
“Sometimes you write a sad song from a happy moment. This came to me while I was flying to South America to see a girl I’d fallen for. It’s about the emotional ice age after a romance fails, but it was written as that ice melted under the Argentine sun..”
Sounds like: Nouvelle Vague, Men I Trust
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Dancing On Tables – Colour Me Good
We love an indie anthem, so thank you to five-piece pop-rock, Dancing On Tables.
The band, school friends from school in Dunfermline, a small town just outside Edinburgh, have released ‘Colour Me Good’ – a groove-laced, vintage indie-pop track that encapsulates sun-drenched, dance-able songwriting with a distinct Scottish charm.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975
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Slenderbodies – The One
Slenderbodies is a California-bred duo who write forward-thinking, dreamy synth-pop.
Their new single ‘The One’ is intricately subtle musical medication, shared in preparation of their upcoming EP, ‘SORAYA’, to be released through Los Angeles indie label Avant Garden, which is also home to Emotional Oranges.
Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-J, Milky Chance, Mura Masa, Passion Pit, PVRIS
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Dirty Nice – Always Summer
Forget those summer blues.
Mysterious UK-based duo, Dirty Nice, make a positive point in new single – it’s always summer, somewhere.
Released on Kitsuné, the single is an antidote to holiday blues, and the “optimistic twin” to their track ‘Zero Summer’.
Sounds like: Shy Luv, Phoenix, Daft Punk, Jai Paul, Sylvan Esso
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Gavin Haley – Sad Season
From summer season to ‘Sad Season’ with former professional cyclist Gavin Haley‘s latest single.
While competing with the national cycling team, Haley suffered an injury that resulted in a collapsed lung, setting back his travel by several months. During his recovery, he explored and found inspiration in Europe’s underground music scene, becoming enamored with energetic live performances filled with a grit and energy.
Starting with a simple West Coast-inspired guitar riff, ‘Sad Season’ soon picks up and exposes determined pop and R&B.
Sounds like: Zayn Malik, Frank Ocean, Ed Sheeran
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ROYAL – Vessel
Canadian songstress ROYAL debuts with ‘Vessel’, the first of six new tracks that appear on her upcoming album, ‘Heart of Shadows’.
Covering the topic of heartbreak, loss of identity and raw self-reflection, this is electro-pop at its finest in 2018.
Speaking about ‘Vessel,’ ROYAL says,
“This song is about heartbreak – having to let go of someone you love, and then realizing the emptiness and loss of identity that ensues. I wrote this song it while trying to find myself after getting lost within a relationship for many years and then feeling shattered by the loss of a love I thought would last a lifetime.”
Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Lana Del Rey, Evvy, Noosa, Dominique, The xx
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Von Sell – Scene Of A Crime
Last but not least, our favourite breakthrough act – self-taught producer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Von Sell.
After a bout of vocal pain and subsequent treatment, we are pleased to say that Von Sell is on the mend and returning to our stereos with ‘Scene OF A Crime’.
Taken from his forthcoming sophomore EP, ‘Digital Sleep’, the song reflects on unrequited love, but, due to its uptempo nature, it will ultimately leave a taste of confusion in your mouth because you can’t help but dance despite the disconcerting subject matter.
Sounds like: Summer Heart, Hazel English, Teen Daze, Peter Gabriel, Alt-J, Thomas Azier
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