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10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Flume, Disclosure, The Weeknd And More

10Songs_29May

There aren't many weeks in the year where the top news story is about orgies, so let's just be grateful that A$AP Rocky had a great time at SXSW and has decided selflessly to use his album promotion time to talk about orgies. There were also songs released this week, so I guess you could call this post a song-orgie of sorts?

Flume
Same Minds (Feat. Andrew Wyatt)

The biggest Aussie popstar since John Farnham is back. There's probably no need to remind you that the whole country fell in love with Flume after the release of his debut record and he's since been wooing crowds overseas. Same Minds is the first new track we've heard from him in a while and it actually shows an impressive amount of progress in terms of sound. He builds a subtle but effective instrumental around Andrew Wyatt's howling vocals. It's restrained until the last minute when it becomes glitchy and bass-heavy making it imperative that you listen right til' the end everytime.

Florence + The Machine
Third Eye

Flo and co's latest album How Big How Blue How Beautiful, out today, sees them explore a more subtle sound. It's territory than was bulldozed over on her previous releases in favour of grandiose productions. If you're not into that though there's this golden nugget, Third Eye. Third Eye beautifully treads the line between grandiose and organic charm with a beautiful retro choruses bookended by epic verses that sees Florence's vocals flare. It's euphoric, triumphant and, as track nine on the record, gives the album's bottom-half a huge kick. This one is going to be a highlight at Splendour In The Grass.

A$AP Rocky
Fine Whine (Feat. Joe Fox, Future, M.I.A)

A$AP Rocky's new album At.Long.Last.A$AP actually goes light on the features but Fine Whine is an exception to the rule. It features a stellar cast of Future, M.I.A and newcomer Joe Fox who all add their two-cents over a dark, woozy beat. The track captures that 5am haze brilliantly with the minimal vibe lifting only to add some percussion for M.I.A and Future. Things get tribal towards the end which is particularly exciting given that M.I.A is rapping, "tell your new bitch she can suck a dick."

cln.
Find Me

Brisbane producer cln. is gearing up for the release off his new EP in July. Left Behind is the second track to be lifted from that and it follows Hold Me which we gushed about upon release. Left Behind once again sees cln. take vocal duties, twisting and contorting them to churn out something haunting yet spectacular. The instrumental is lush and crisp, with dense, flickering synths leading the proceedings. Best of all you can snap this baby up for free.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/callanalexander/cln-left-behind-1[/soundcloud]

The Weeknd
The Hills

Sometimes we have to respectfully mute our ears to The Weeknd's lyrics. They're all kinds of TMI and often detract from what is an amazing melody. It's no different on his new track whereby a line like "I just fucked two bitches before I saw you," could've been something like "I just politely pecked two ladies before I saw you." If he's doing a mother's day album he should call us or Ronan Keating for advice, just saying. But in terms of everything else The Hills is a total winner. The American mainstream seems to be finally understanding The Weeknd's sound, driven by his spectacular Coachella set. Given how explicit this is, it's pretty incredible that it hit the top five on iTunes in the US.

Made In Heights
Pop It In 2

If we haven't already made it clear enough, Made In Heights released their new album Without My Enemy What Would I Do this week. Along with it, they popped Pop In In 2 on Soundcloud. Pop It In 2 is one of the funnest tracks on the LP complete with laughs, "dum, dum, dums" and an airy dance-beat. It's the first time they've borrowed more from the dance world than from the land of RnB and it actually suits them really well. It's seductive, flirty and light-hearted.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/madeinheights/pop-it-in-2[/soundcloud]

Disclosure
Holding On (Feat. Gregory Porter)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it right? Holding On is the first track to come from Disclosure's as-yet-untitled second album and it sees them stick to the formula that worked so expertly on their debut Settle. They take a soulful vocal, courtesy of jazz singer Gregory Porter, place it alongside a clean deep-house instrumental and place a few pop stylings on top. The result is something that's far from groundbreaking but is a good reminder of just how good Disclosure are at making these dance tracks. Let's just hope there's a few surprises on the record so we can tell it apart from Settle.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/disclosuremusic/holding-on-ft-gregory-porter[/soundcloud]

Icona Pop
Emergency

You either find Icona Pop unbearable or you've danced to them in a club in nothing but a mesh top. Either way it's hard to deny that they're bucket-loads of fun after a few cheeky glasses and this new track Emergency does nothing to dispel that reputation. Driven by a trumpet-centred chorus, it's a track that Mediterranean clubs are going to go mental for while it will be a headache during the Australian winter. Make of it what you will but it's a bit of fun and if you can't handle it then Ed Sheeran is waiting for you.

hannah_girls

I Know Leopard
Close My Eyes

I Know Leopard are a Sydney group making some gorgeously crusiy tunes. Close My Eyes is the second track to be lifted from their forthcoming EP and immediately recalls visions of wind-blown Australian beaches. They played the Sydney leg of Laneway Festival earlier this year, making people swoon with their dream pop and now they're set to gain a whole load of new fans as their tracks just continue to get better and better. Australia is in need of some great indie-pop and these guys seem well equipped for the job.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/iknowleopard/closemyeyes[/soundcloud]

London O'Connor
Nobody Hangs Out Anymore

The quaint charm of bedroom-produced tracks has been lost as DIY tools have gotten better and better and made the use for a studio almost redundant. That's why it's so refreshing to hear Nobody Hangs Out Anymore by US newcomer London O'Connor it sounds genuinely rough around the edges. He flicks between airy vocals and slacker raps over a daydream instrumental that's immediately endearing. On 23rd June he's putting out his debut album O∆ which he produced entirely by himself. Let's hope it's as personal and introspective as this.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/londonoconnor/nobody-hangs-out-anymore-1[/soundcloud]

lists / new music05/29/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Kendrick Lamar, Hudson Mohawke, Florence + The Machine And More

10Songs_22May

If you needed any more proof that 2015 is a massive year for music then this week was just that. We had blockbuster video premieres, huge tracks leak by the dozen and many drop more tracks of some of the year's most anticipated albums. Here's another jam-packed 10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week.

Hudson Mohawke
Indian Steps (Feat. Antony Hegarty) & Scud Books

We're just patiently hanging out for HudMo's Lanterns but he's not making it easier because every time he releases a new track it's better than the last. Today, we have two new tracks from the producer. The first, Scud Books, is trademark HudMo with brassy synths and crushing bass. Indian Steps, however, is a slightly different sound than we're used to. It features Antony and the Johnson's' Antony Hegarty. It's a melancholic, emotional track that flourishes into a battlefield of bursting beats and swelling instrumentation.

Jamie xx
I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) (Feat. Young Thug and Popcaan)

This was also in 10 Songs last week but this version is the proper album version featuring Popcaan. Instrumentally there's not a lot of difference but vocally now we have Popcaan interjecting Young Thug on the verses. That sample still sounds as triumphant as last week and the steel drums are euphoric as ever. Jamie xx told Pitchfork this week, "You can make it [the steel drum] sound quite melancholy but at the same time it reminds me of paradise." That's certainly the most apt way to describe this song.

Nina Las Vegas & Swick
Birthday

Nina Las Vegas and Swick dropped their second EP Cool Sports this week via Fool's Gold records. All three songs are excellent but Birthday is the one that has really stuck with us. It bursts colour with through these abrasive, blood-rushing synths that sit alongside candy-coated beats. The vocal sample holds the same kind of monotone excitement that Hannah Diamond has become so known for, using the instrumental to really build its personality. Hold on for the last minute when things really get down and dirty.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/foolsgoldrecs/nina-las-vegas-swick-birthday[/soundcloud]

Kwamie Liv
Higher

We raved a about Danish newcomer Kwamie Liv last year but then she disappeared off the radar. This week, however, she re-emerged with this beautiful cut Higher. It's built off lushes synths that allow Liv's vocal to just sink in. "I wanna trust you tonight, I'm sick and tired of running," she sings with the utmost sincerity, creating this wonderfully warm atmosphere. Hopefully this is a sign of more things to come.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/kwamieliv/higher-kwamieliv[/soundcloud]

A$AP Rocky
LSD

We're just a fortnight away from hearing A$AP Rocky's new album A.L.L.A and so far he's kept us on our toes about what to expect. LSD (Love x Sex x Dreams) is a hazy, spaced-out number that sees A$AP sing more than rap. It's something completely different from him and proves once again that his versatility is one of his most impressive qualities. It changes tack towards the end and introduces back into A$AP-rap territory, complimenting that woozy, unfamiliar instrumental with something that feels much more familiar.

Antony & Cleopatra
Take Me

You may not have heard of Antony & Cleoptra but you would've definitely heard some of the work of Alex Burnett. Burnett has written and collaborated on tracks for George Maple, Hayden James and Flight Facilities but now he's turning his attention to his own project. Take Me is a stellar track with its feat planted heavily in the British club scene. The vocals of Anita Blay howl through the track with an airy vitality while the instrumental echoes like steel coming together.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/vitalic-noise/antony-cleopatra-take-me-1[/soundcloud]

Florence + The Machine
Delilah

So far all the tracks from How Big How Blue How Beautiful have shown a slightly more reserved side to Florence Welch but now we've got Delilah. Delilah is a classic Florence + The Machine track with bluesy undertones and a big, soaring chorus ready-made for Welch's massive voice. The melodic detour at the end of the track is the cherry on the top, adding an extra bit of sweetness to what could've been a slightly overwhelming track. Our bodies are now ready for this album.

Charli XCX
Famous (Brenmar Remix)

Charli XCX's Famous is almost six months old now so it's about time that it go a fresh-coat of paint. Jersey producer Brenmar is the best man for the job as he has a knack at taking already energetic songs and turning them up one more level. Brenmar centres the whole remix around Charli's infectious hook using it to build the track up to a mighty drop complete with horn-synths. We're big fans of Charli when she's operating in the club-world so this remix is understandably up our alley.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/charlixcx/charli-xcx-famous-brenmar-remix[/soundcloud]

Taylor Swift
Bad Blood (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)

We've seen Kendrick and Tay Tay go back and forth about how much they love each other and we knew that Kendrick was going to appear in the Bad Blood video but never could've we expected two verses on the radio edit. The track benefits from a beefed-up, hip-hop remix and while Kendrick's verses are super impressive it's Swift's final chorus that brings it home with an effortless strength. This is a genius marketing tactic and is sure to breathe some new life into 1989. Somewhere Katy Perry is breaking her teeth on candy-canes working out how to one-up Taylor.

Nick Jonas
Chains (Feat. Stormzy)

If Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift was unexpected then this collaboration is basically unbelievable. Grime newcomer Stormzy has jumped on Nick Jonas' Chains adding some distinctively British verses to the track alongside Jonas' soulful verse. Speaking to Radio 1 the former Jonas Brother (meaning the band, not the family) said he was inspired by Kanye West's performance at the Brits where he shared the stage with a number of big grime names. A weird collaboration, yes, but it actually works.

lists / new music05/22/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Years & Years, Diplo, Jamie xx And More

10Songs_15May

Here's a collection of tracks we loved this week. Tick them off your list so you can move onto next week confident that you took everything from this week that you possibly could.

Years & Years
Shine

British trio Years & Years had a mighty task following up their UK chart-topping single King, but it seems as though they've done it with ease. Shine takes a slightly different pace to King but it's no less euphoric with frontman Olly Alexander's vocals once again sounding flawless. At this point it's hard to see the band making any missteps on their forthcoming album Communion which is due out 10th July.

Elliphant
Love Me Badder

Swedish songstress Elliphant has been churning out perfect pop for the better part of two years but it finally feels like she's hit her stride. Last year's MO-featuring One More was one of our favourite tracks of 2014 and this latest one Love Me Badder is just an impressive. It's a big-sounding, dancehall-sampling ballad with a chorus made for the masses. Elliphant's voice is smokey and full-bodied and tackles the huge melody without any problems at all. Her Splendour In The Grass shows should make her plenty of fans here.

Novelist
Ignore And Wot

I've spent the better part of the week trawling through grime history for a piece that is about to go up on the site. It feels like an appropriate reward that at the end of it all a new Novelist track emerged. Ignorant And Wot popped up on Novelist's soundcloud and it's a corker. It's a ready-made anthem with a simple but hard-hitting hook bookended by fast-flowing verses. It's baffling that this guy is only 18 years-old.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/novelist/ignorant-and-wot[/soundcloud]

Anne-Marie
Karate

Rudimental collaborators have had a pretty good track record when it comes to moving onto their own solo careers. John Newman had a number single on his own, Ella Eyre is making waves with her solo tracks and Sinead Harnett looks set to make a big splash with She Ain't Me. Anne-Marie has toured with Rudimental as their live vocalist but looks to be more than ready to do it alone. Karate, her debut single, is a little more left-field than what the aforementioned names are making. It's experimental pop with a strong melody and airy vocals. It may not be a number one single in waiting but it doesn't feel like that was the goal.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/iamannemarie/anne-marie-karate[/soundcloud]

Rihanna
Bitch Better Have My Money (Diplo & Grandtheft Remix)

For one of Rihanna's less-successful tracks Bitch Better Have My Money keeps popping up everywhere. Last week we got the EDM remix courtesy of R3hab and now we have a remix firmly in the trap-world courtesy of Diplo and Grandtheft. It's far more true to the original than any other remixes we've heard but it does give it an extra dose of oomph with abrasive horns and hard-hitting beats. It's definitely one of Rihanna's more curious singles but it really does just keep getting better. Diplo and Grandtheft have helped that cause.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/diplo/bitch-better-have-my-money-diplo-grandtheft-remixofficial-you-losers[/soundcloud]

Charli XCX
Doing It (Carmada Remix)

It's criminal that the original of this song didn't reach number one for 40 weeks on the Australian charts but Aussie duo Carmada may have the answer to ensuring its resurrection. They have been on the Groovin The Moo festival trail with Charli XCX playing their Doing It remix along the way but now we finally have the proper, final product. They keep that stellar chorus and around it build a world of flickering synths, high-pitched vocal samples and mournful keys. We reckon Charli would approve of this one.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/carmadamusic/charli-xcx-doing-it-carmada-remix[/soundcloud]

Rita Ora
Poison

Rita Ora really doesn't get enough credit. She's currently trying to crack America and in that market she looks like an underdog but in the UK she's had four number one singles. That's damn impressive. Poison is the latest tune to be taken from her forthcoming second album and it's another perfect piece of pop. "I've picked my poison and it's you," she sings over a hard-hitting beat that only eases up for the euphoric verses. It may not be as immediate as I Will Never Let You Down but after two days of listening we can guarantee it's a grower. Listen here.

Jamie xx
I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times) (Feat. Young Thug)

Popcaan and Young Thug may not be the most likely suspects for a Jamie xx track but goddam does it work. This version that leaked this week only features Young Thug but you can see where Popcaan would happily slot in on the album version. While the feature-vocalists may suggest otherwise, it actually doesn't sound that far out of Jamie xx's world. There are still steel drums, warm bassy synths and a soulful throwback sample (of The Persuasions' Good Times. Like Gosh and Loud Places, it's uplifting music, which seems to be a theme of In Colour when you also consider the multi-coloured album art.[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/looie31007/young-thug-ft-jamie-xx-i-know-theres-gonna-be-good-times[/soundcloud]Laura Clock
Fade

Robyn is the queen of mournful dancefloor stompers but in her absence there are plenty of other artists keeping the space warm. One of them is Laura Clock (previously known as Butterclock) who's gearing up to release her debut EP under the new moniker, Baby - Part One. Fade is the first single from that and it's a dancehall-inspired track made for the latest point of the night when the dancefloor is empty enough to really cut loose - Dirty Dancing style.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/goldenbruise/fade/[/soundcloud]

Billie Black
Going Under

We've been waiting a while for new material from London singer Billie Black but now we finally have it. Black has returned with a killer new hairstyle and a sleek sound that recalls Sade and Jessie Ware. Going Under is her most confident sounding track yet with the latter half exploding into a clean slice of electronica that immediately sounds like London. The track is taken from her forthcoming Teach Me EP which is due to drop 25th May.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/billie-black/billie-black-going-under[/soundcloud]

lists / new music05/15/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Britney Spears, Tame Impala, Shamir + More

10Songs_8May_2

While we started the week with The Script performing at the Logies and celebrities somewhat distastefully referencing Chinese fashion at the Met Gala, things seem to have only gotten better. These 10 songs could be the best collection we've had this year to date and it manages to put Britney Spears in the same article as Tame Impala, so there are wins all round.

Miguel
Coffee (Fucking)

This week it came out that Miguel was getting sued for that incident in which he kicked someone in the head a few years ago accidentally but the release of his new track Coffee (Fucking) still managed to outshine that news. The track is rumoured to be the first taste of his third LP Wild Heart and is an extended version of the same track that originally appeared on his late 2014 EP. This version features an added verse from Wale but it's still all about Miguel's ridiculously smooth vocal. This track stacks up to anything that was on his last record Kaleidoscope Heart and just has us hanging out for the next track.

Tame Impala
Eventually

Eventually is the forth song we've heard off Tame Impala's forthcoming third album Currents and we tend to agree with frontman Kevin Parker that it's one of the best. Apparently he dreamt it up on the back of a scooter and it's essentially a break-up song. It's not your standard break-up tale filled with bitterness though, it's a sweet tune about moving on so both parties can be happier. That sentiment is delivered in the form of a sprawling, synth-driven chorus which elevate's Parker's voice up amongst the angels. Stunning stuff once again from the Perth boys.

Hot Chip
Why Make Sense?

What better time to release a song titled Why Make Sense? than on the same day as a particularly convoluted British election. This is the title track off Hot Chip's forthcoming sixth album and it also closes the album. To listen to it you have to head to an unbelievably confusing British election news website because, well, why make sense? It's one of Hot Chip's more organic tracks, driven by a crushing drum-line that's complimented by flighty synths.

Head here to listen to the new track.

Shamir
Darker

We're used to hearing toy-like, colourful tunes from Las Vegas native Shamir but this week he slowed it down, delivering the soaring ballad Darker. It's from his debut album Ratchet which drops next week and showcases the singer really opening his lungs and letting it rip. "It doesn't get darker, unless you expect it to," Shamir sings being both melancholic and uplifting at the same time. It's good to hear another different side of Shamir, who's becoming an impressively multi-faceted artist.

Giorgio Moroder
Diamonds (Feat. Charli XCX)

Giorgio Moroder mostly released tunes when piracy wasn't an issue but he's really having a shit of a time keeping the tunes from his forthcoming record Deja Vu under-wraps. Diamonds his track with Charli XCX leaked this week and while it's bad news for Moroder, it's fantastic news for us as we get to hear another heavenly slice of disco-perfection with added XCX. It encapsulates Charli's rebellious energy and Moroder's disco-tinged melodies perfectly and has the potential to be his big hit from the album. Apparenly Charli wrote it when she was 15 years-old, on the same trip that she wrote Icona Pop's mega-hit I Love It on. Charli was asked how she felt about the track leaking and she responded, "I don't care that much." Great, let's dig in then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep2pPd9K7HM

Little Boots
Better In The Morning

British songstress Little Boots' tracks have often found a home in the clubs but on her new tracks she's telling everbody that things are Better In The Morning. It's the first single to come from her forthcoming album Working Girl and it's produced by Ariel Rechtshaid who's basically penned and produced every alternative hit in the past few years (HAIM, Sky Ferreira, Tobias Jesso Jr.). Boots' sweet voice sits atop a perky instrumental that stands up on its own but is also begging for some killer remixes. It's a quirky pop song but its has a subtle charm to it that begs for repeat listens. We're excited to see where Little Boots is going with this LP.

Britney Spears & Iggy Azalea
Pretty Girls

This song has seemingly been teased for longer than Britney's marriage with K-Fed lasted but it's finally here and it was probably worth the wait. Over the week Pretty Girls shot up the iTunes charts, particularly in the US and looks like it's about to give Britney her biggest hit in a little while. And that's because Britney sounds the most relevant she has in about five years. We could take or leave Iggy's parts but Britney actually really kills it alongside a hip-hop beat. This coupled with her track with Giorgio Morder, Tom's Diner, mean that 2015 is shaping up to be a pretty stellar year for the fallen popstar.

BOSCO
Boy

'90s RnB has probably been the most referenced genre this year and newcomer BOSCO is further proof of that. She's just been signed to Fool's Gold and this track Boy places her in the same spectrum as artists like Kelela and Tink. It's an incredibly confident, slinky track that she owns with her breathy harmonies. It may be an overcrowded genre but that just makes it easier to truly spot brilliance when it comes along and it looks like Fool's Gold have literally struck gold with BOSCO. Her Boy EP is out soon.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/foolsgoldrecs/bosco-boy-feat-jace[/soundcloud]

Nocturnal Sunshine
Believe (Feat. Chelou)

Maya Jane Cole, acting under her alter-ego Nocturnal Sunshine, is gearing up to release her LP on 22 May. Believe is the second single from that album and it features the vocal talents of up-and-coming singer Chelou. Cole is working on Chelou's debut album so it's fitting that he return the favour on one of her tracks. Believe is a dark, woozy track haunted by circling vocal samples over mind-bending keys. It's shows yet another dimension to Cole and has us hanging out for the record.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/nocturnalsunshinemusic/believe-ft-chelou[/soundcloud]

Hopium
Right Now

People have been mumbling Hopium's name under their breath for a while now but this should be the track that has them shouting. Right Now is the third release from the Melbourne duo and is arguably their best to date. It's a silken, angular track that's immaculately produced. What's even better is that the video shows a band that really knows their aesthetic and how to achieve it visually as well as sonically. Take these guys overseas stat, they're about to blow up.

lists / new music05/08/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Tame Impala, Mariah Carey, Nosaj Thing + More

The new music that we've been listening to this week.

lists / new music05/01/2015

6 New Artists You Need To Keep An Eye On

There's nothing like the feeling of tracking an artist right from their early days into eventual stardom. Here at the interns, we're all about you feeling good inside so we're giving you the chance to track six new artists from their early beginnings. You can thank us when they hit number one on iTunes.

FOXTROTT, who is known to her parents as Marie-Helene Delorme, is a singer/songwriter/producer from Canada who’s been releasing music since 2012 but seems to have hit her stride of later with the release of new track Driven. Upon starting out, FOXTROTT mostly released instrumental music before deciding she wanted to expand her music and “express something deeper,” as she puts it.

She’s currently readying the release of her debut LP A Taller Us. Of the record she says, “My goal was to find the perfect balance between rhythms and frequencies, the production style that I wanted to put forward, and lyrics and emotional presence expressed by the voice.” Listening to Driven, it sounds as if she was successful in completing her goal. It’s a perky track perfectly weighed down by her brooding vocal. There’s so many artists who operate under two hats of producer and vocalist but rarely are they as good at both as FOXTROTT.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/foxtrottfoxtrott/driven[/soundcloud]

HER

It takes something really special to back an artist purely off one song and that’s exactly what we’re doing here. To be honest we can’t really tell you that much about Her. We can tell you that they released their debut single a few weeks ago titled Quite Like and it’s an effortless triumph.

Quite Like has the same endearing quirkiness as an alt-J track with the smooth sensuality of Rhye and the intimacy of Wild Beasts. The fact that they seem to be going about this whole thing remaining anonymous with only one track to their name shows that they’re quietly confident about the strength of this track. And they should be. This is the kind of track that breaks new artists.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/thebandher/quite-like-2[/soundcloud]

Mura Masa

We’ll preface this by saying that if you’re feeling bad about what you’ve accomplished in your life for your age then don’t read this. If not, then you’ll share in our joy at knowing that this producer is only 18 and already churning out phenomenal stuff. His debut EP Someday Somewhere, released this year is a collection of beats that traverse hip-hop and RnB genres with guests including Nao and Denai Moore.

Someday Somewhere is one of the most effortlessly accessible electronic EPs we’ve heard since Ryan Hemsworth was establishing himself. It’s melodic, full of personality and even funky in points. How on earth somebody achieves something like at an age like 18 is beyond us but it happened and we better believe it.

Also he’s got a great Twitter. Case in point - “don't ask if you can use my music, just do that shit. if you're doing it in some backass way that makes you money i'll sue you later dw.”

Leon Osborne

Australia has no shortage of great electronic producers but rarely are they as intricate and atmospheric as Leon Osborn. He’s as interesting as Flying Lotus with a dark tinge reminiscent of Shlohmo and an earthy aesthetic not dissimilar to Brian Eno. Last year’s Nature Strip release showed promise but it's the West-Australian producer’s latest offering You Were Gone that has us excited.

You Were Gone is a jolting and rough yet soothing listen that’s as suited to early morning club sessions as much as it is perfect for an afternoon lay-back. What’s most impressive about Osborne is that he’s the first producer who’s managed to encapsulate the Australian landscape into an electronic sound. Without following down the Flume/Wave Racer route, Osborne has crafted something that sounds distinctly Australian. A twinkling collecting of twilight tracks that reveal a producer who is interested in crafting his own sound. And that’s always worth rewarding.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/pilerats/you-were-gone-ft-barksdale[/soundcloud]

Bibi Bourelly

Listening to the only solo track on her Soundcloud, RIOT, you may not guess it but Bibi Bourelly wrote Rihanna’s Bitch Better Have My Money and a few more on her forthcoming eighth studio album as far as we know.

The 20-year old, LA-based artist is just about to blow up, not only because she’s writing for Rihanna but also because it looks like she has plenty to give as a solo artist. For such a young artist she’s already kicked a number of goals including a recording session with Kanye West. A producer she met online, Paperboy Fabe, set up the session West gave her a beat and isolated her in a small room with a microphone. The song that resulted was Higher - a track that Rihanna has teased on her Instagram.

Her debut RIOT is a feisty, acoustic track that beautifully demonstrates her raspy and charismatic voice. The obvious comparison is Rihanna but there’s also hints of Sia in their as well in terms of the strength that projects her voice.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/bibibourelly/riot[/soundcloud]

Tashka

There are a lot of great electronic artists coming out of Sydney right now but they’re aren’t enough great vocalists in the genre to match in our opinion. Thank goodness then for Tashka who first jumped on the scene last year with her feature on Loudon’s Gold. She’s just returned with her debut single Taken which is set to feature on a forthcoming EP called Deals. The track oscillates between pop and electronica and is bound by Tashka’s breathy, ethereal vocals.

Unfortunately we don’t have much more information on her right now but Taken is the kind of track that breaks an artist instantly so we won’t be surprised if she’s following it up with another golden tune sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/tashkamusic/taken[/soundcloud]

lists / new music04/28/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Major Lazer, Ta-Ku, Wet + More

10Songs_24April
Another week dominated by Kanye West. When he's not jumping in lakes in Armenia, he's stealing The Weeknd's limelight at Coachella and inducting himself into the TIME Power 100. In honour of another week in which Kanye nabbed a headline a day, we present to you a 10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week with no mention of Kanye. Apart from this bit where we've mentioned his name three times. Seems we can stop travelling West. Time to head South and explore the best songs from the week below.

Wet
Deadwater

Brooklyn three-piece Wet are set to be one of the most talked about acts of the year. Their debut EP Dreams, released last year, was brilliant and we're hoping that their debut album, revealed to be called Don't You, will be even better. The first single off that record is Deadwater and it's one of their strongest tracks to date. Vocalist Kelly Zutrau sounds unbelievable over a washy, subtle instrumental. She hooks you in from the first second and after that the song just glides past, time seemingly standing still.

Ta-Ku
Love Again (Feat. JMSN and Sango)

Ta-Ku has quietly become one of the best Australian producers doing the rounds but it feels like this latest EP, set to be released via Future Classic, will really propel him to the front of people's mind. That said EP is called Songs To Make Up To and the first single is called Love Again. Love Again is Ta-Ku taking it to church with a piano instrumental complimented beautifully by JMSN's soulful vocal. It's without a doubt the most uplifting thing that Ta-Ku has done and while it's not traditionally designed for the club, we can imagine this really being a moment if someone snuck it into a set.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/takugotbeats/love-again-feat-jmsn-sango[/soundcloud]

Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Can't Keep Checking My Phone

Unknown Mortal Orchestra have made great albums in the past but it feels like he's really making a conscious effort in the lead-up to LP3 to appeal to a wider-audience. First single and title track Multi-Love was his most accessible pop track to date and the follow-up Can't Keep Checking My Phone is just as immediately likeable. It's a densely melodic, funky number that even manages to slip in synths in the bridge. It's the closest thing we're going to get to a euphoric UMO pop number and we'll happily take it.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/jagjaguwar/unknown-mortal-orchestra-cant-keep-checking-my-phone[/soundcloud]

cln.
Hold Me

Brisbane producer cln. put out a few excellent tracks last year but it really feels like he's hit his stride with this latest one Hold Me. Not only do we get to hear him sing but we also get to hear him take on a more melancholic aesthetic. As sad as the melody may be, the synths and the lyrics are basically like a warm, electronic hug. If he continues to head in this direction we have every bit of confidence that he will be one of Australia's best electronic producers.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/callanalexander/cln-hold-me[/soundcloud]

Jordan Bratton
Prisoner (Feat. Chance The Rapper)

Chance The Rapper is a great drawcard. Every track he features on gets an immediate listen from us but in this case New York vocalist Jordan Bratton completely holds his own against Chance. Prisoner is a soulful, spacious track with some beautiful harmonies. Chance jumps on the track in the second half for a half-sung, half-rapped verse that is inline with a lot of the stuff he's been doing with The Social Experiment. Prisoner is taken off Bratton's forthcoming EP Youth.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/jordanbratton/prisoner-ft-chance-the-rapper[/soundcloud]

Major Lazer
Powerful (Feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley)

Major Lazer have always had a cult following but this time around it seems that they are reaching for the mainstream. First was their collaboration with Mo which has shot up the charts here in Australia and now their collaboration with Ellie Goulding has surfaced. It's undoubtedly the most radio-friendly thing they have ever produced but that doesn't mean they have sold out. It still has the heavy-bass Major Lazer aesthetic that Diplo and co have mastered over the years. Reportedly Diplo is leaving behind his solo work to focus on Major Lazer and it may be a good decision considering the gold they have been churning out of late.

RKDA
Meta

Melbourne via Brisbane producer RKDA, is a newcomer to the Australian electronic scene. Meta is her debut tracks and it's a dark, experimental piece that pegs her as an artist not shy to get a little introspective. This is the kind of music that is born in the early hours of the morning. It's haunting and unsettling but also expansive in the way that it layers up instrumentally in the latter parts of the song. We'll take some more of this please, RKDA, don't make us wait too long.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/rkdamusic/meta[/soundcloud]

VÉRITÉ
Colors

We waxed lyrical about VÉRITÉ's last single Wasteland and we're going to do it yet again with this one, Colors. There's so much electronic, singer/songwriter music floating around at the moment but what makes VÉRITÉ different is her full-bodied voice which makes you sit up and listen immediately. It's not wispy and gentle, it's the type that needs dense instrumentals and sturdy melodies to give it wings. Colors does exactly that with a bolstered chorus that really allows VÉRITÉ to show of her killer voice.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/veritemusic/colors[/soundcloud]

Dej Loaf
U Me & Hennessy (Feat. Lil Wayne)

When Lil Wayne jumps on your track you better believe that you're something special. We pegged Dej Loaf as an artist to watch in 2015 and we've been consistently proved right. Me U & Hennessy is a downbeat masterpiece with Loaf slurring from one line to the other with an enviable effortlessness. At first Lil Wayne doesn't seem like the right fit for Loaf's brand of rap but he actually delivers one of his best verses in a few years, his scratchy voice perfectly complimenting Loaf's serene tones.

Lianne La Havas
Unstoppable

Lianne La Havas' debut album was so good that she made friends with Prince. That statement alone should make it well-worth looking forward to her sophomore album but we'll let her music do the speaking for now. Unstoppable is the first taste of new album Blood which will grace us with its presence in July. It's a cruisy, Erykah Badu-style number which beautifully showcases La Havas' coffee-soaked tones. She's one of the only artists that could easily occupy a five minute space without any big tricks. Her voice just wraps around the melody and carries you with it.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/liannelahavas/unstoppable[/soundcloud]

...of course we're joking about Kanye. Here's Good Life. What a #banger.

lists / new music04/24/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Sia, Vic Mensa, Kanye West + More

10Songs_17April

Stepping out of the haze of the Coachella weekend and back into the new music world, here are 10 songs that you need to wrap your ears around this week.

Samantha Urbani
1234

Samantha Urbani was the lead-vocalist of uber cool Brooklyn band Friends who broke out with I'm His Girl back in 2011. It seems now though she's stepping out on her own with the assistance of her boyfriend and our favourite producer Dev Hynes. 1 2 3 4 is her first audible endeavour as a solo artist and was apparently half-recorded on a train which is both impressive and confusing. Its sound is a little cleaner than the scuzzy vibes of Friends but it's still melodically tight and buoyed by an impressively strong chorus. Dev's influence is all over it which is a ok with us, as per usual.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/samantha-urbani/1-2-3-4a[/soundcloud]

Aeroplane
Let's Get Slow (Feat. Benjamin Diamond)

When you go by the moniker of Aeroplane you better be serving up euphoric, head-in-the-clouds type music and that's exactly what this Italian-Belgian producer does. Aeroplane has done remixes of everyone from Charli XCX to Justin Timberlake but he's also fully-capable of crafting his own tracks of smooth, melodic electronic music. Let's Get Slow features the vocals of Stardust's Benjamin Diamond (remember this?) who helps bring equal parts of funk and sensuality. "Let's get together baby, let's get high," is exactly the kind of lyric the dancefloor needs.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/aeroplane/lets-get-slow-feat-benjamin-diamond[/soundcloud]

Made In Heights
Forgiveness

Made In Heights have trickled out brilliant tracks for the better part of two years now with never any word of an album. Now though it seems we are finally going to get that LP with their new track Forgiveness coming with word that an album is set to drop on 26th May. The US duos latest track has us swooning once more with a percussion-driven hook bookended by swelling synths and fragile vocals. They nail the rarely-trodden genre of subtle pop music and we can't wait to see what else they have on their album.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/madeinheights/forgiveness[/soundcloud]

Empress Of
Water Water

Empress Of made a name for herself in 2013 with a brilliant run of tracks starting with Don't Tell Me but since then she's been pretty quiet. That's because she's been working on a debut album set to be released via Terrible Records and XL Records. XL usually don't waste their time with artists unless their pretty damn sure about them (Adele, Shamir, FKA Twigs) so you can feel pretty confident about what Empress Of has been crafting. Our first taste is Water Water, a rushing synth-driven track which is darkened by the brooding vocals that teeter between Robyn and Zola Jesus. This has the potential to be one of the most captivating records of the year.

BenZel
Stuck On You (Feat. Tory Lanez)

Two Inch Punch and Benny Blanco are in their own right brilliant producers so it's not surprise that together they've been churning out some pretty impressive stuff. Stuck On You is the latest track to come from the duo and it's the first BenZel track to feature a solo male vocal. Canadian rapper and singer Tory Lanez perfectly weaves through BenZel's smooth, spacey instrumental switching between his two crafts effortlessly. This tracks up for free download so grab it while you can.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/officialbenzel/stuck-on-you-ft-tory-lanez[/soundcloud]

Hudson Mohawke
Ryderz

Incase you haven't heard HudMo is prepping the release of his debut album lantern which will be with us in June. First we heard Very First Breath and now we've been gifted Ryderz - a soulful, triumphant number centring around a sample of D.J. Rogers' Watch Out For The Riders. These type of songs are the ones that convert a set from being great to being mind-blowing. It's so grand that it manages to both tug at the heart and raise your hands to the air.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/hudsonmohawke/ryderz-rinse[/soundcloud]

Giorgio Moroder
Déjà Vu (Feat. Sia)

The reaction to Giorgio Moroder's collaboration with Kylie, Right Here, Right Now, was lukewarm but it's likely that this one with Sia will excite much more. Sia dons her disco diva alter-ego for Déjà Vu, the title track from Moroder's forthcoming LP. There's lush strings, funky guitar-riffs and a blue-light-disco-ready beat sitting below Sia's euphoric vocal. This is the funnest thing Sia has ever attached her name to and it might just have the same effect on people that Daft Punk's Get Lucky did two years ago.

Vic Mensa
U Mad (Feat. Kanye West)

If you're gonna drop a collaboration with Kanye West it's probably best you make a moment of it. That's exactly what Vic Mensa did with U Mad last weekend. He performed the song at Coachella to an elated crowd and then shot it out all over the internet. The track has Mr. West all over it both vocally and instrumentally. There's big horns, abrasive raps and a thudding beat. While Kanye is an undeniable presence, Mensa holds his own proving that he can kick it with the big kids. In fact his rap is probably more abrasive and attention-grabbing than Kanye's.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/fuck-vic-mensa/u-mad-feat-kanye-west[/soundcloud]

Erik Hassle
No Words

We go crazy for a big pop tune over here at the interns and No Words by Swedish singer Erik Hassle ticks all the boxes. Despite making brilliant pop songs since 2008 Hassle is yet to have his huge commercial breakthrough as a solo artist. He wrote Shakira and Rihanna's Can't Remember To Forget You but it's about time he had some chart success with his own face lit up in lights. Surely this will do it. It sinks right into the ears effortlessly without being too in-your-face and compliments a happy-go-lucky instrumental with mournful vocals.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/erikhassle/no-words[/soundcloud]

Sinead Harnett
She Ain't No

You would have heard British songstress Sinead Harnett's name pop up a number of times over the last few years. She featured on Discolsure's Boiling and also was the vocalist on Ryan Hemsworth's Small + Lost. It seems, however, Harnett is done with paddling other people's boats as she's gearing up to really push her own solo career with the release of She Ain't No. Harnett's smokey voice is the perfect antidote for the industrial RnB beats. It's a slight step away from the dance world she's operated in as a featured vocalist which seems like the logical step to differentiate herself.

For your convenience, here are all/most of the songs together:

https://soundcloud.com/the-in-terns/sets/10-songs-you-need-to-hear-9

lists / new music04/17/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Rihanna, Jamie xx, Shamir + More

10songs_27March

We're going to use this space above the important stuff to describe the week using comments left on One Direction's Facebook post announcing Zayn Malik was leaving:

"Don't do this Zayn man! please stay,life awaits for no man, living a normal life won't pa the bill at the age of 44 build ur empire while you still can."
"he's the reason for my tear, yesterday, today and tomorrow. It was hard to accept those statements."
"im crying again damn"
""I don't want you to leave!!!!!" Says my daughter Elizabeth."

This week the world mourned together but the music must go on. It's what Zayn would've wanted. Let's also hope this cheers Elizabeth up.

Rihanna
Bitch Better Have My Money

Bitch (me) does have Rihanna's money and bitch used some of that money to buy Rihanna's new single. Bitch also stayed up until 3am last night only to be directed to an app to hear 20 seconds of her new song, so bitch thinks he might keep Rihanna's money at least until she gives us her album. Ransom. Lord knows what Rihanna's doing right now. First she releases a song with Paul McCartney that both your Dad and you could sing along to and now she drops an absolute banger who's chorus has to be censored on the radio. It's not the most sure fire way to grab a number one hit but it's a song dripping in RiRi swagger and a level of ridiculousness that only she could get away with.

Jamie xx
Loud Places (Feat. Romy Madley-Croft)/Gosh

Jamie xx, the beatsmith of the xx has had a cracker of a week, announcing his debut album In Colour and dropping these two unbelievably great tracks. The first, Loud Places, features his xx bandmate Romy Madley Croft and is a stunning slow-burner that ramps up into a gospel-flavoured chorus. Gosh is centred very much in the club world with a sound that harks back to last year's All Under One Roof Raving. The synth that creeps up towards the end of the song creates so many warm and fuzzies, it's hard to imagine life beyond the end of the song.

Tei Shi
Go Slow

Tei Shi is ready to just explode all over the internet in the next few weeks with the release of her Verde EP. Go Slow is taken from that and it's the strongest cut we've heard from her yet. A humble, smooth verse explodes into an expansive, flourishing chorus that brings the track home strong. It's voices like Shi's make you believe that there is still life left in the electro-RnB genre.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/tei-shi/go-slow[/soundcloud]

Hudson Mohawke
Very First Breath (Feat. Irfane)

Producer Hudson Mohawke delivered an incredible show at the Fader Fort at SXSW last week and he continued the hype this week by dropping Very First Breath featuring French vocalist Irfane. It's taken from his forthcoming album Lanterns and sees him hold things back a little to make way for the delicious melody delivered by Irfane. Fans of abrasive HudMo need not worry though. There's still plenty of pulsating bass and dense synth-work to keep you happy.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/hudsonmohawke/very-first-breath-feat-irfane[/soundcloud]

FKA Twigs
Glass & Patron

Only FKA Twigs could have video where she gives birth to dancers who she then competes with in a voguing battle and makes it look beautiful. This is probably the most unconventional song and video we've heard from Twigs yet (and that's saying something). The track goes from plodding along at a snails pace to speeding up into something altogether extraterrestrial. It was the best video from the YouTube Music Awards by a mile and we are now convinced that Twigs would make an excellent Anna Wintour.

Shamir
Call It Off

"It's not time to get started, it's time to call it off," may be a rather negative notion to begin a song with but Shamir manages to move upwards and onwards from there on latest track Call It Off, crafting another effortlessly charismatic pop song. The cow bells from On The Regular are back and while there is notably less sass there's muppets in the video so it all equals out really. This one's taken from his debut album Ratchet which is due to change your life in about seven weeks.

Club Cheval
From The Basement To The Roof

Electronica supergroups are all the rage at the moment and by that we mean we can name one other from this year off the top of our heads - Future Brown. Club Cheval consists of French producers Canblaster, Myd, Sam Tiba, and Panteros666. It's quite the lineup and naturally this song is as smooth as the French are. An unobtrusive vocal sits atop lushes synths and candied beats creating the kind of tune you want to hear when you're popping bottles of champagne in a Parisian club. So classy, so chic.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/clubcheval/from-the-basement-to-the-roof-2[/soundcloud]

Tourist
Holding On (Josef Salvat & Niia)

UK producer Tourist is building a reputation for creating some of the best emotional electronica around and this latest track Holding On on builds on that. It features London-based Australian vocalist Josef Salvat and NYC singer Niia. That little bit of Aussie in the song probably makes it eligible to win an ARIA and it probably should given how beautifully nuanced and textured it is. It's the type of song that you'll jam to in a club but will also go home and cry in the shower to (if you have a waterproof radio).

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/touristmusic/tourist-holding-on-feat-josef-salvat-niia[/soundcloud]

Kehlani
How That Taste

Kehlani is an LA-based RnB vocalist who's been mixing in circles with Chance The Rapper and Travi$ Scott so needless to say she knows what she's doing. We've heard a few of her tracks but this is the first one that's really made out ears prick up. How That Taste is essentially a diss song for her haters which also manages to double as a victory lap. She sounds flawless throughout with a vocal that's part unbreakable and part husky. She told The Fader of the track, "It's a Tsunami Mob anthem, ready to wake people up and ask them how that shit taste!" What a rude awakening.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/kehlanimusic/kehlani-how-that-taste[/soundcloud]

Skepta
Nasty

It's always a good week when you finish it off with a bit o' Skepta. The UK grime rapper has barely allowed us to recover from the mammoth Shutdown and he's dropped out another banging cut. It may be just over two minutes but it's more than enough for him to pack in a real punch. Basically it's just like a runaway-train, free-style that sees Skepta call out all the people that have hated on him. He's no doubt enjoying his well-deserved time in the spotlight while the people who have hated on him will have their tails between their legs.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/skepta/nasty[/soundcloud]

https://soundcloud.com/the-in-terns/sets/10-songs-you-need-to-hear-8

lists / new music03/27/2015

10 Songs You Need To Hear This Week: Kendrick Lamar, Tinashe, Years & Years + More

10Songs_20March

This is for all those who were too busy listening to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly to listen to any more new music. Take some time out and hear the best songs of the week past which actually includes Kendrick too.

Kendrick Lamar
King Kunta

It was a big week for Kendrick this week. We were all waiting until next week for the release of To Pimp A Butterfly but alas it fluttered into our ears early. King Kunta is the most immediately likeable track on the album. It’s Lamar does funk complete with female backup singers and a groovy instrumental. The whole of the LP is politically and socially charged so it’s not surprising that while the instrumental may suggest otherwise, the lyrics tackle everything from ghost writers in rap to race.

M.O.
Preach

M.O. are the freshest girl group around right now and yet they haven’t completely caught their break. No doubt they’ll be hoping for that to change with this feel good anthem Preach. With typically throwback ‘90s vocals, the girls’ harmonies are tight and their solo sections are super smooth. The instrumental is pretty casual so it’s completely up to them to light the flame and they do so effortlessly.

Years & Years
Worship

These British lads have finally announced their debut album Communion off the back of their UK number one single King. This track Worship, from the LP, takes it straight to church in a club with a vocally-layered chorus bound for the heavens. Olly sounds silky as per usual while the beat tackles a future bass aesthetic. These guys have served out ace pop tune after ace pop tune and it’s no different here. Another knockout.

Tinashe
Wrong

RnB’s rising star Tinahse dropped a seven-track EP this week as a thank you to fans. For what I’m not sure given that she’s doing all the work but we’ll take it anyway. AMETHYST was recorded in her bedroom in between tour breaks and sees her serve up more warm tones over some of the tightest production in the game. Ryan Hemsworth takes the reigns on this one and offers a typically skeletal instrumental with a dab of auto-tune on some of Tinashe’s vocals. I get the feeling these two could knock together a collaboration album in two seconds. Make. It. Happen.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/tinashenow/02-wrong[/soundcloud]

Earl Sweatshirt
Grief

Rappers are having some bad luck with album releases this year. First came Kendrick’s foiled attempt to release the biggest album of the year on its proper date and now iTunes has leaked details of Sweatshirt’s album before it was meant to. He’s pissed but the good news is now we know we’re going to get new Earl next week. Grief is the first taste and it’s a dark, distressed number with an industrial beat driving the heavy tones that loom over it. Given the title of the album, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, and the general feel of this track It’s easy to assume that Sweatshirt is not a happy man right now.

Lupa J
Waiting For Her

We have our fair share of Aussie females killing it with electro-pop right now but somehow each one brings something different to the next. Lupa J is making perhaps the darkest music we’ve heard yet with a brooding vocal accompanied by icy instrumentals made for 5am cityscapes. Her latest Waiting For Her is a haunting track; the type that lingers over you the whole time never quite allowing you to feel settled. There’s an anxiety to it that makes it utterly captivating. It helps that the production is top notch too.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/lupajmusic/waiting-for-her[/soundcloud]

Jhene Aiko
living room flow

Aiko’s slow-burning debut LP is still flourishing in front of me, but she’s already onto making new music gifting us living room flow this week. The song seems to be a one-off release and it easily stands on its own two feet. She’s one of the most sultry singer around and she uses every bit of that to her advantage here, slinking around the beats with impossible ease. “Whatever turns you on, just let me know,” she sings making us all feel as if dating Jhene Aiko would be the pinnacle of life.

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/jhene-aiko-1/living-room-flow[/soundcloud]

Set Mo
White Dress (Feat. Deutsche Duke)

We’re already big fans of Deutsche Duke and now we’re also big fans of Sydney production duo Set Mo based off this track. White Dress is a crisply-produced piece of deep house centring around the smooth vocals of Deutsche Duke. The keys married with the throbbing beat is absolute perfection going hand-in-hand with Duke’s imagery of a the girl standing in a white dress. Australia has dabbled with this kind of music commercially but traditionally it’s far more popular in the UK. This could be a top ten there.

[soundcloud wdith="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/setmomusic/set-mo-white-dress-ft-deutsch-duke[/soundcloud]

Boska
Saviour

In the latets instalment of Scandinavians do everything better than most, here is a thumping house track from Norwegian producer Boska. We’ve got a deep appreciation for club tracks that really dig their feet in and go hard and Saviour is one of them. The bass may be abrasive but it’s complemented by warm undertones and vocal samples which up the temperature just a tad. It spends the majority of its 6 minute plus duration working its way into your head and swirling with a delectable repetitiveness which is broken up by brief moments of solace. Saviour will be released via Norwegian label Bolsa Wood and is part of his Cascades EP due for release on 22nd May.

Rihanna
As Real As You And Me

Rihanna is seven albums deep in her career and yet she still hasn’t had a truly classic record. It looks like she’s trying for it on album number eight saying this week that she wanted it to be “timeless”. As Real As You And Me may be for the Home soundtrack but it’s definitely got that classic vibe to it. It’s a piano-led ballad featuring Rihanna’s vocals in all their raspy glory. This is RiRi at her most haunting, gloriously drifting through the keys in a sleek fashion. We’re sure she’s hiding some serious gold nuggest for #R8 but we’ll take this for the moment.

lists / new music03/20/2015