Whitecliff: “Young Lovers”
With a burst of energy that is somewhat akin to a third shot of espresso in the morning, Whitecliff has returned after a brief hiatus with their new track, “Young Lovers.” Given that the song covers the emotion...
ISLAND: “Stargazer”
ISLAND’s “Stargazer” is further proof that AM was actually a cultural powerhouse. The way the chords are delivered in that clean, greaser tone recalls some of the suave ease the Arctic Monkeys commanded back in...
Small Black: “No One Wants It to Happen to You”
Sometimes a band will find itself straddling the line between different genres or subgenres. Such is the case for Brooklyn-based indie rockers Small Black, whose most recent single, “No One Wants It to Happen t...
Car Seat Headrest: “Times to Die”
Will Toledo likes contrast. In his universe, melodic hooks are buried in a muddy mix. Brooding lyrics are paired with major key chords. Organic instruments are playfully manipulated and twisted digitally.
It...
Decorations: “Girls”
1980s-inflected power pop group Decorations have it pretty good right now. They just got signed by Frenchkiss records (Passion Pit, Local Natives) and are gaining serious momentum online. The band has been arou...
Hugh: “Learn to Fall”
Hugh’s “Learn to Fall” has a sense for drama — almost too much of a sense for drama. It wouldn’t be far-fetched to hear something like this in a 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack, or somewhere in a young adult dysto...
Kurt Cobain: “Sappy”
Nirvana is one of those bands that, as the years grind on, have become less about their music and more about an image. They’re the band that made the 1990s the decade of flannel and ripped jeans. They’re the co...
D.R.A.M feat. Donnie Trumpet: “$”
When you title a song with the national symbol for cash, I am sold.
D.R.A.M. (of “Cha Cha” fame) is the MC behind this chilled-out track, and it honestly has a better sound than his aforementioned hit. A sim...
Christine and the Queens feat. Tunji Ige: “No Harm is Done”
Héloïse Letissier, otherwise known as Christine and the Queens, is a bonafide star in France, her home turf. The electropop singer won Best Female Artist at this year’s Victoires de la Musique awards (aka the F...
MUNA: “Loudspeaker”
A friend and I had a weekly tradition of midnight drives. Every Monday night, either a beaten Toyota or brand new Ford would hit the road, with a pair of high schoolers just bouncing thoughts off each other as ...
The Big Moon: “The Road”
The Big Moon’s name is fitting; the British guitar sluggers aren’t exactly shy. They’re the type of band to double down on ragged guitar lines and a pinch of soulful crooning, where their jagged indie pop struc...
LÉON: “Tired of Talking”
One of the more promising debut singles I’ve heard in a while, “Tired of Talking” by Swedish newcomer LÉON is a musical telling-off that is sure to get stuck in your head and stay there. While undoubtedly a pop...