Chill Cantata

These young pop stars should be taking notes. The Queen has come back - The Queen of Insomnia that is. Janet Jackson delivers some steamy r&b and some dreamy vocals to back it up on No Sleeep. Now we’re only wondering what “Conversations in a Cafe” means. Intrigued and stimulated. This is what longevity looks like. 

Iconic Comeback

Thumping Bassline

Modern Throwback!!! If you were never in the hot sweaty 90s rave scene: Here's a taste. Love Is Free is the lovechild of Robyn (who's been teasing us forever about new music) & La Bagatelle Musique featuring the brassy New York (Dominican yass) rapper Maluca. Thematically well-timed for the celebration of marriage, love is definitely free on the dancefloor. RIP Christian Falk

House Banger

Summer Euphoria

I don't know... It's too early to be making these kinds of conclusions but the fact that it took a real debate over 4 - 5 songs out of an 11-song album to decide which track to post is telling that Amanecer has "Album of 2015" potential. It's a gateway drug into Latin music. Fiesta gives you straight cumbia and then throws you into an EDM-filled Colombian carnival. But the whole album is gonna give you a mix of dancehall vibes, champeta electric guitars, rap verses, house music, and even whistling! We're done.

Barranquilla Fire

Colombia Folktronica

Vicktor Taiwò is so fine. But he actually produces beautiful music so it’s a win-win. Feathers & Wax aptly described as “cuddlecore folktronica” takes you on a lyrical journey that descends into the shadows of where we all want to be...the bedroom. One can also tell the Nigerian crooner is hyper-aware of the poetic devices he uses in his lyrics. Weaving r&b and synthpop into an ethereal soulfest, Juno EP is magic.

Intellectual Stimulation

Bedroom Electronica

(via Feather (featuring Cise Starr & Akin))

Hailing from Hamburg, Germany, DJ Sebastien remixed Röyksopp’s I Had This Thing. Sebastien is good at taking wistful songs and adding a smooth dance beat to morph it into a more contemplative one. The piano is driving force behind the track bringing out the doleful lyrics. As Sebastien says, “Music needs emotion.” Very Euro House.

Deep House

Somber Lyrics

Bachata anyone? At first glance, we were thinking ‘why is Drake on this track’? But then we realized maybe this is a nice gateway drug into the R&B of the Latin world. Admittedly, Drake croons along smoothly in Spanish with Romeo Santos but it is clear that Santos is the star of the show.  Odio (‘Hate’ in English), tells the universal tale of a jealous and remorseful lover. But the real envy lies with only those who are non-Spanish speakers.

Bachata-Rap Fusion

Tropical Flavor

A fitting single from the upcoming EP, Songs To Make Up To, Ta-Ku’s Love Again takes us away with soft piano progressions, a dip of Sango’s production and JSMN’s warm timbre. The track is emotionally resonant which is propelled by strings and vocal harmonies. The beat never overtakes the song which is refreshing. That said, don’t expect an insane drop but you can feel satiated by the mini jam session at the end. The only question: Are we falling in love again or we going to church? Maybe both.

Spiritual Vibes

Overlapping Harmonies

Whereas Gossamer made you worry for Michael Angelakos, Kindred feels like the light at the end of the tunnel. This is what makes Five Foot Ten (I) makes what could be interpreted as the cliché empty dance track so poignant. Something is bubbling. Relationships are straining and time-consuming, but the best ones are the type in which you actually mature emotionally. This is Five Foot Ten (I): A hint of emotional equilibrium.

Synthpop Jubilee

Emotional Equilibrium

Yes there is a bias towards the DJ Nehzuil, but honestly listen to this creative rendition of Usher’s You Don’t Have to Call. It’s better. Nothing about this comes across as remix, it’s just quality R&B. The barbershop quartet combined with the slick piano and bass work. Fire. 

Barbershop Quartet

Minty Fresh

Grimy British child of the hardcore reggae dubstep, Benton, has been slowly increasing his star power like an ever-ticking time bomb. Intent on spreading his filthy beats to the masses, songs like Make Love are chill at first and get more brooding until the drop. After that, all hell breaks loose. 

Gateway Drug

Wait Til the Drop

It’s about time someone brought this remix back from the dead. Still sounds fresh doesn’t it? Chicago producer, Rogue Vogue makes it his/her business to remix sounds reminiscent of 80s/90s clubs. Only You is the work of Satin Jackets, the German indie dance groover featuring Nashville’s Patrick Baker. You might have heard the original on Hype Machine years ago. Who knows?

Indie Disco

Pre-Drop Butterflies

Don’t you hate it when 20-year-olds reach massive success and make lots of money. If you do, you might not like Hugo Pierre Leclercq (a.k.a. Madeon) who is another French musical genius. He started composing at 11 years old and then later became huge in 2012 by Youtube of course. Now he’s working on Lady Gaga albums and releasing his own stuff, namely Adventure. Check out this single featuring Passion Pit!

Bubblegum Electronica

Cheesy Ending

After releasing her debut album, Souled Out, Jhene Aiko has been riding high touring and enjoying the critical acclaim. Now we are finally getting some new music. Staying true to form, Aiko brings warm synths and ambient instrumentals to complement her soft voice. Only this time, we are getting some steamier and steamier lyrics. Perhaps it is a spark of confidence?

Raunchy Crooning

Bedroom Music

Alabama native, Katie Crutchfield was a punk rocker in her youth but has manifested into an indie yet still raw guitarist. Her intimacy is almost off-putting at times and her voice seems beyond her years. Crutchfield’s band, Waxahatchee proves that the fear of aimlessness can be art too.

Made for Vinyl

Grimy Guitars