Stockholm-based producer Cape Lion shares his new single, ‘Deceiving’.
A groovy masterpiece that expands outside of the current electronic sound space, the track is a sonic journey for the listener from start to finish.
Sounds like: Miike Snow, Amason, Peter Björn and John, Tame Impala, Empire of The Sun, MGMT
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Nashville based multi-talent, Mokita is the one-stop-shop for sparky acoustic pop.
His new six-track EP, ‘4201’ is out now and whilst it’s powered by club engineering, it pleasantly switches up between R&B, pop and country, and all that’s inbetween.
Check out some of his influences below.
‘Elevate’ – St. Lucia
This is has been one my favorites since it came out in 2012. One of my favorite albums as well. I love the 80’s undertones w/ the roto toms in the transitions. The wavy chorus-y guitars make me feel like I’m on a cloud.
‘All Day All Night’ – Moon Taxi
This song has been a staple in my running playlists. Its the perfect tempo for a morning jog and it just gets you bobbin your head. I’ve been a fan of this band ever since I saw them play live when I was in college.
‘You Never Need Nobody’ – The Lone Bellow
One of my favorite bands in college. The three part harmonies are so tight and perfect. I’ve seen them live and their vocals are even better in person. Zach Williams, the lead singer, has one of my favorite voices in the world. This song blends folk with pop melodies so well.
‘Find Yourself’ – Great Good Fine Ok
I’ve always loved Great Good Fine Ok ’s production and melody choices. I love the sparseness in the production. This band has taught me a lot about how making smart production choices can make a song feel so big without needing a bunch of elements. This chorus is infectious.
‘Hide and Seek’ – Imogen Heap
I know this is a well known song and sure most people are familiar with it, but hearing this song for the first time made realize the power of simplicity. This is the one of the most beautiful melody compositions I’ve ever heard, and I love that its slightly messy and airy. The breathiness of the vocals and the white noise just makes its feel so organic.
‘Settle Down’ – The 1975
This guitar and arpeggiated synth in the intro just immediately hooks you. I love the repetitiveness of the melodies and how they follow a lot of the guitar lines. The syncopated pocket of the chorus melody just makes me wanna dance.
‘Blu’ – Jon Bellion
Several things get me on this one. I love that the pre chorus almost happens in between 2 verses . Its unpredictable just like all of his songs, which is why I love him. The chorus has its own vibe and just feels so airy and warm matched with a beautiful falsetto melody. Also love the tempo slow down before the chorus
‘Need the Sun to Break’ – James Bay
This album really changed my life in college. Still one of my favorites. One of my favorite songs of the last 10 years. The chorus melody just feels classic .
‘When a Heart Breaks’ – Ben Rector
As a piano player, any song that can be driven by just a piano I’m all in. Just a great song. It has the folky feel but the melodies are just so infectious.
‘Industry’ – Jon McLaughlin
This album taught me so much about how to write songs on piano. I remember learning this whole album on piano when I was in college. To this day this is still one of my favorite piano riffs to play.
‘Ocean’ – Martin Garrix, Khalid
The soundtrack feel of this song is what hooks me. Khalid’s voice is so listenable and the minimal production is so well placed. Just a great vibe.
Sounds like: EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND
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Weslee – Boy Like You
Mysterious UK-based duo Weslee share their visuals for ‘Boy Like You’.
Another lip-smacking and dreamy song, the Alexandra Gavillet-directed video for ‘Boy Like You’ takes inspiration from Kanye West and centres on the infatuation of the lead male figure through a series of personal camcorder style shots filmed around a hazy American summer.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Kacy Hill, Blood Orange, Wet, Off Bloom
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Scene Writers vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Real Life Baby
Exciting Berlin-based duo Scene Writers (aka Christian Huerter and Sebastian Nouvortne) take inspiration from the art amidst the urban sprawl of Berlin.
They have produced a vibrant re-work of 3 Burners‘ ‘Real Life Baby’, which you can listen to below.
Sounds like: Becky Hill, Kungs, Draper
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joan – Tokyo
We are still massively crushing on duo joan.
Continuing their knack for producing heartbreaking pop songs with a retro twist, ‘Tokyo’ is inspired by that moment of falling for someone but your time is running out.
Sounds like: Shura, Two Door Cinema Club, St. Lucia, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The 1975
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Argonaut & Wasp – Radio Sound
Boom! Argonaut & Wasp are back with a funky new number called ‘Radio Sound’.
It is part of a double single, and combines elements of alternative, pop, indie, and funk to provide a bright sound, inspired by the bustling streets of Brooklyn.
It is released on the band’s own Bang! Jango Records.
Sounds like: The Strokes, Bad Sounds, Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Phoenix, Miami Horror, Bag Raiders
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ELD – Desire
Swedish trio ELD share their brilliant new single ‘Desire’.
Creating a big emotions and an anthemic sound reminiscent of Arcade Fire and The National, ‘Desire’ amalgamates electronica with post punk elements, and even enters the shoegaze realm in parts.
Listen below and prepare to be blown away.
Sounds like: Arcade Fire, The National, Interpol, Ulrich Schnauss
Amanda Mair – Empty Blockings
Rising Swedish teenager Amanda Mair shares ‘Empty Blockings’.
In the video, Amanda broaches the highly important topic of anxiety and depression,
“I wanted to show the feeling of the continuously searchers desperation. The every day hope for running away from anxiety and sorrow but the faith is to weak and puts you in a circle of running and running until you don’t know what you’re running away from.”
It’s out now via Despotz Records.
Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, OH Land, Zola Jesus
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Shoos Off – Future Heartbreak
Time to kick your shoes off and get down with this week’s favourite tunes.
First up is Los Angeles-based bedroom collective, Shoos Off.
Led by singer Patrick Killeen, these guys amalgamate synth sounds with delicate, upbeat vocals, in a modest manner.
Listen to ‘Future Heartbreak’ below.
Sounds like: The Knocks, Smallpools, St. Lucia
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Sonata Kay Feat. Novo – Reach
Meet Sonata Kay, a London-based artist with a bright future.
Citing various influences from around the world, Sonata Kay likes to combine the ethos of a traditional singer/songwriter with electro-pop production.
Listen to dramatic ‘Reach’ below, featuring Novo.
Sounds like: Melis, Amethysts
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ARIA – You Got Me Good
Continuing to share her desire for electronic, pop and R&B, London-based ARIA shares her latest single called ‘You Got Me Good’.
The track is about a darker realisation of relationship hardships, portrayed through atmospheric guitar riffs and vocal belt-outs.
Sounds like: Emile Sande
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Margot Polo – Turn You, Baby
Halloween has passed, but we are still jamming to Margot Polo‘s spooky new single, ‘Turn You, Baby’.
Margot says that the throw-back number “is for self-professed werewolves and fans of Michael Jackson, Foster the People, Justin Timberlake, and The Killers” and we couldn’t agree more.
Sounds like: April Towers, Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend, CHAPPO, The Beatles
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Kastrup – Try It All
You can really see why Kastrup‘s music has been described as creating arena pop.
The Swedish duo’s new single ‘Try It All’ definitely encompasses this, with its longing vocals and an uplifting children’s choir of a chorus to match.
It’s out now via Strandberg/ Westberg Music.
Sounds like: Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic, Twenty One Pilots
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Nikö Blank – Do U
Meet Nikö Blank.
A Korean native, the rising DJ and producer has shared remixes of the likes of Flume, Disclosure, Portugal. The Man, LAUV, Klangstoff and MOONZz.
His single ‘Do U’ features the polished vocals of Jacob Luttrell and channels some serious soultronica vibes.
Expect ‘The Frame’ EP to be out in November.
Sounds like: Flume, Usher, Medasin, Jacob Banks
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filous – Already Gone ft. Emily Warren
Austrian producer filous has also been an inquisitive soul, and a fast learner, perfecting a number of instruments at the tender age of 10. Fast forward 10 years, and filous finds himself nestled amongst the likes of Flume and ODESZA with his electronic music.
‘Already Gone’ features the delicate vocals of top songwriter Emily Warren (The Chainsmokers, FRENSHIP) and is out now via Ultra Music.
Sounds like: Gabrielle Aplin, Sigrid, Fenne Lily, Flume, ODESZA, Klei
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Blonde Maze – Thunder
We get a real sense of nostalgia listening to ‘Thunder’ by NYC songstress, Blonde Maze.
Touching piano keys and ethereal vocals express the beauty of maturity required to grow old and feel comfortable with someone.
Sounds like: Le Youth, Goldroom, Maggie Rogers
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Ella Blixt – WINNERS
Swedish multi-instrumentalist Ella Blixt shares her debuts single, ‘Winners’.
It’s ultimately a wise pop song which takes each part of the musical puzzle to write successes.
‘Winners’ is out now on Teto Records in Japan and Squeeze Day Recordings in Europe.
Sounds like: Joe Goddard, Sóley
MRY – Walking On Fire
Not happy with the corporate grind, MRY decided to sack his job in engineering and head for the bright lights of the Pacific Coast.
The result is ‘Walking On Fire’, a feel-good indie dance track that easily reminds you of the summer just gone by.
It’s out now via YouTooCanWoo.
Sounds like: The Levity, Cub Sport, Island Club, Lanes
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Lyves – Cover Me
Lyves shares ‘Cover Me’, which has been co-produced with Will Night.
It’s another honest and passionate song from the London artist, and is about the push and pulls of a relationship.
Sounds like: Kllo, London Grammar, James Blake, SOHN, The Weeknd, Banks, Jamie XX, Jesse Ware, Shura, Seal, Boards of Canada
Meet Australia’s finest new musical export, Tigertown.
Tigertown’s new track ‘Warriors’ manages to reach new euphoric heights. Much like glitter itself, it brightens up and idealises the concept of love, but who cares as everyone loves glitter and love, right?!
The track is out today on Neon Gold and they will be touring with Tove Lo in July and VÉRITÉ in August and September.
Sounds like: Of Monsters and Men, Passion Pit, The Naked and Famous, Tove Lo, St. Lucia, Crystal Fighters
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The Knocks – Trouble
Noisy New York electronic dance duo and remix gurus, The Knocks, have shared their summery track ‘Trouble’, featuring Absofacto.
Of the track, The Knocks say,
“We originally wrote “Trouble” with Abso in NYC at our studio as a slow, piano ballad, at 90 bpm. The idea was to write something that felt melancholy and classic. After we laid down the original idea, he left and we started experimenting with it – treating it like a sample – totally chopping it up and flipping it. This is the same way we approach some of our earlier songs like “Dancing With The DJ” and “Make it Better” so it was cool to go back to that formula while making a sound that was new and fresh.”
‘Trouble’ is out on Big Beat/Neon Gold and is the first single from their forthcoming EP ‘TESTIFY’, released on 3 February.
Sounds like: RAC, St. Lucia, Cut Copy, Flight Facilities, Passion Pit, Pink Feathers, Chromeo, Holy Ghost!, Penguin Prison
The Knocks
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Absofacto
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joan
Guys can look good in mom jeans too.
Time for some sumptuous indie from a boy duo called joan (aka Thomas and Steven Rutherford).
Their debut track, ‘take me on’, is a strong contender in the current musical field of pop. Potential BFFs to Shura, ‘take me on’ echoes of retro synths, sending us back to a time where anything was possible.
Co-produced and mixed by Tim Pagnotta (Walk the Moon, St. Lucia, Wild Belle, Saint Motel), ‘take me on’ is “about spending tonight and forever with the one you love.”
Sounds like: Shura, Two Door Cinema Club, St. Lucia, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok
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FRAME
Using music as her drive and passion, drummer-turned-producer, FRAME (aka Caitlin Frame) shares ‘Love Wasted’; the first single from her nine-track album.
FRAME explains, “When I wrote this song I felt secure and balanced with the love I had, but being in an open relationship created space to feel an obsessive and all-encompassing lust at the same time. When those feelings became entangled and borderless it was easy to act out of impulse.”
The album was engineered and produced entirely by Caitlin, while the instrumentation was collaboratively recorded by members of her live band. Mixer Andy Baldwin (Hearts, St. Lucia) added the finishing touches.
Sounds like: The Pretenders, Low Hum, Few Bits, Simple Minds, Heart, Girl Friend
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Savoir Adore by Sandra Rodriguez
Savoir Adore is a project led by songwriter/vocalist Paul Hammer.
‘Paradise Gold’ is the lead track from the upcoming album, ‘The Love That Remains’. It’s a ambitious track that tackles themes of love, loss and often-inescapable darkness, despite its danceable attributes and high-flying harmonies.
‘The Love That Remains’ is out on 12 August.
Sounds like: Mirror Talk, VHS Collection, French Horn Rebellion, St. Lucia, Youngblood Hawke
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