This week is full of chill, atmospheric jams with a few bangers here and there, so plug in this playlist and wind down from a long week.
Dawes – When the Tequila Runs Out
The California-based Americana act, Dawes, are set to release their fifth studio album next month and this lead single finds the band expanding their sound with more electronic groove and a driving bass backbone.
Kyle – Doubt It
Kyle’s flow is a refreshing diversion from what has become the standard lyrical structure but his attitude is what really sets him apart. He has fun on “Doubt It” and it’s hard to not have fun with him.
Glass Animals – Season 2 Episode 3
Glass Animals are following up their critically acclaimed debut, Zaba, with a new, high concept project called How To Be A Human Being. This single, which recalls classic 8-bit video game soundtracks, is cool, smooth, and a promising teaser for the new album.
Metallica – Hardwired
Metallica has a tortured past sprinkled with infighting, scandals, and wild diversions from the genre they helped create. This new single hearkens back to the glory days though with strong thrash roots and and some stomach-churningly good guitar work. If it’s any indication of the upcoming albums as a whole, it could be a magnificent return to form.
Banks – Mind Games
Banks is delivering more of her practiced and honed pop sensibilities with strong vocals and production that lets the words speak louder. This track clearly pulls influences from the new experimental-pop class of FKA Twigs, Lianne La Havas, et al. and the style suits Banks well.
Tall Heights – Iron In The Fire
Tall Heights are a Boston based duo producing ethereal indie folk similar to Bon Iver and Local Natives. They deliver something unique to the genre especially with their most recent album Neptune from which this single comes. There’s a sincerity about the group that sets them apart.
Ball Park Music – Whipping Boy
The atmospheric chorus filters enveloping every element of Ball Park Music’s sound make them more than just your usual indie power-pop band. Their new project Every Night The Same Dream is dreamy guitar rock at its best.
SG Lewis – Holding Back (Feat. Gallant)
Gallant offers his whispy falsetto to SG Lewis’ groovy production on this track. It has the wah-wah effect of classic funk but as the chorus comes in, it transitions to something closer to disco or 80’s blue-eyed soul. It’s no party anthem, but it’s chilled out and doesn’t overstay its pleasantness.
Danny Brown – Pneumonia
The other major banger on this week’s playlist, Danny Brown’s latest single has a minimalist beat that relies mostly on surprising and aggressive accent hits. Brown is at his grittiest here and the instrumental fittingly sounds like something out of a horror film. It’s three and a half minutes of pure Danny Brown.
courtship. – Stop For Nothing
I decided to end this playlist on a up note with the only existing track by LA duo courtship. “Stop for Nothing” is a bouncy dancepop track with catchy synths and a great staggered bass line. It’s a promising debut for a band that no one knows anything about, but at the very least, they know how to make a fun song.
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