New Tracks

Hot Flash Heat Wave – “Hesitation”

Hot Flash Heat Wave have been one of my favorite discoveries this year; the San Francisco-based early twenty-somethings craft a serene blend of power-pop and surf-rock that manages a bevvy of punchy

Watkins Music – “One Life One Love”

Sounding simultaneously like something off an album from The Style Council and an energetic clip from Soul Train, Watkins Music’s infectious funk-popper “One Life One Love” continues a recently welcome funk-tinged revival led

Fazerdaze – “Jennifer”

Based out of New Zealand, Fazerdaze is a bedroom-pop project filled with tranquil moments of ’80s guitar-pop nostalgia, complemented by warm female vocals and occasional synth flourishes. “Jennifer” is a highlight off

Aubergine MACHINE – “Sundown”

Aubergine MACHINE, the duo of acclaimed producer Ian Carey and vocalist Shanti Ellis, is currently one of the most overlooked electro-pop projects going. The majority of their efforts – from “Hostage” to its

Joshua Worden – “Boundless”

We previously heard from Atlanta-based electro-pop wizard Joshua Worden last year, when his track “Midnight” showed off how Worden’s warmly tranquil vocals and lush R&B-tinged electro-pop arrangements combined for a sound akin

Gone Quite Mad – “All the Building Blocks”

Brooklyn-based prog-rockers Gone Quite Mad begin their new track “All the Building Blocks” with dexterous guitar licks and a bustling rhythm section touching on jazz and hints of jazz fusion. The vocal

Claus Zinger – “I Went Down the Road Today”

I’m not surprised to see that Jerusalem-based singer/songwriter Claus Zinger has a significant Soundcloud following; his talent and songwriting ability is very evident from the get-go. His new track “I Went Down the Road Today” is

Michael Cullen – “Nothing Special”

Veteran singer-songwriter Michael Cullen was featured back in March with his excellent track “Do You Believe?“, whose strategic meshing of synth-pop and ’80s-flaired alternative reminded me fondly of both Depeche Mode and

New Albums

MAXIIM – ‘Swimming’

Paris-based artist MAXIIM crafts an emotional, piano-led sound throughout the new album Swimming — described as “an introspective journey filled with hope.”

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