Pneuma

The solo project of Melina Duterte, Jay Som’s new release is a study in dream pop. Turn Into is delightfully woozy, layered with reverb and overdubs and crowned with Duterte’s lo-fi vocals. With its psych-rock riffs and relaxed distortion, lead track “Peach Boy” is utter perfection. 

Listen When: you’re trying not to think good things about your ex. 

You May Also Like: Day Wave | Avid Dancer | Hazel English | Japanese Breakfast

It’s clear that pop punk is nearing the start of a widespread resurgence; clever bands like the UK’s Martha will ride that wave into the hearts of many. This gem of a track leads with sappy romance but quickly morphs into an energetic singalong with tasteful dashes of pain and wistfulness. Keep an eye on these guys. 

Listen When: it’s a heavy summer night and you’re sitting alone at the Burger Shack picnic tables where you and your high school friends used to hang out.

You May Also Like: Doe | The Spook School | Ex Hex | Colour Me Wednesday

Spotify Link: Ice Cream and Sunscreen - Martha

This debut track from dream pop trio Dyan is true perfection. It’s minimalist and melancholic with super smooth vocals and an even smoother guitar solo. Kick back. 

Listen When: you’re almost home from a long, long journey alone. 

You May Also Like: Anna of the North | Vallis Alps | Låpsley | Wet

Spotify Link: St. James - Dyan

Faces on TV is the intriguing project of Jasper Maekelberg, a producer/engineer/artist from Belgium. This track is really excellent; ethereal vocals hover over a trip hop beat, making the vibe both grandiose and foreboding. 

Listen When: you wanna feel like James Bond. 

You May Also Like: Soldier’s Heart | Mont Oliver | IX | Mura Masa

Spotify Link: Love / Dead - Faces on TV

Young Spaniard Sofi de la Torre makes what she calls “pop done right.” While it does make for a cheeky hashtag, it’s also actually true. De la Torre’s low-key sound is rife with R&B and Spice Girls influences. The flow on this track is phenomenal; it’ll be stuck in your head the rest of the day. 

Listen When: you’re kicking it on Mallorca. 

You May Also Like: Mallrat | Party Nails | Les Sins | Seoul

Spotify Link: COLORBLIND CRUISIN - Sofi de la Torre

The self-proclaimed “Hannah Montana of the rap game,” Mallrat just dropped this cheeky follow-up to “Suicide Blonde.” The Aussie accent shines through a bit less on “Sunglasses” but it’s still a fresh, weird track.

Listen When: you’re getting your ears pierced at Claire’s. 

You May Also Like: baeb rxxth | Raury | Tove Styrke | Icona Pop

Spotify Link: Sunglasses - Mallard

Electro-pop songstress Elena Belle Carol calls herself Party Nails for good reason: this track is straight up fun. 

Listen When: you’re having a really positive wine night with your BFFs.

You May Also Like: Fickle Friends | RALPH | On An On | Superhumanoids

Spotify Link: No Pressure - Party Nails

April got its start when five lads from the UK decided to come together to create music they actually wanted to listen to. Evidently, these guys haven’t quite gotten over the likes of Oasis, The Charlatans or even Semisonic. Their sound may be familiar but that doesn’t mean it isn't really fun. 

Listen When: you’re feeling especially nostalgic after a high-school-themed date of paddle-boating and Baskin Robbins. 

You May Also Like: SPECTOR | Mystery Jets | The Vaccines | Kasabian

Spotify Link: Ten Miles High - April

Kai Gundelach spent his formative years in Sweden in the midst of the robust club scene. While this track is a far cry from what you'd hear at the club, it’s definitely still “electro” and a very smooth, Beegees-esque electro at that. 

Listen When: you’ve just gotten home from the madness that is the mall in December and need a quiet moment to unwind. 

You May Also Like: Autre Ne Veut | Shy Girls | Washed Out | JMSN

Spotify Link: Spiders - Gundelach

Every now and then, a cover comes along and takes you by surprise. Andy Clockwise’s provocative take on this 90s dance track by Real McCoy is utterly delectable. 

Listen When: you’re sitting in the dark with a glass of wine, fondly remembering the first time someone held your hand during the couples’ skate song at Skate Land. 

You May Also Like: Andy Bull | Young Summer | Kindness | Say Lou Lou

Spotify Link: Another Night feat. Stella Mozgawa - Andy Clockwise

Dev09 is the definition of dope. The 18-year-old from South Bend, Indiana partnered with Stelios Phil, who’s worked with A$AP Ferg, to produce “You Made Me.” It’s very confident, very savvy pop. 

Listen When: you wanna tell that bitch to hop off but you can’t because you’re at work and she’s your boss. 

You May Also Like: Willow | Tinashe | Bibi Bourelly | Tkay Maidza

Spotify Link: You Made Me - Dev09

This is an absolutely stunning collab between producer J.Viewz and Rhye’s Mike Milosh. Milosh’s vocals are the epitome of tender; you’ll realize you’ve been holding your breath once the strings kick in. Welcome to heaven. 

Listen When: you miss someone. 

You May Also Like: inc | River Tiber | MOVEMENT | Ben Khan

Spotify Link: Don’t Pull Away feat. Milosh  - J.Viewz 

This Polo is not to be confused with Kiwi producer POLO, who’s also worthwhile. The Polo in question is a duo from the UK, who make impeccably produced, Lorde-influenced pop. 

Listen When: it’s a rainy fall day and you faked a cough to stay home from work.

You May Also Like: POLIÇA | BANKS | PURITY RING | MS MR

Spotify Link: Visions of Fortune - Polo

Here’s an epic “industrial spiritual” from London’s Pumarosa. Seven and a half minutes gives the track plenty of time to evolve from an xx-esque shimmer into a sax-y psychedelic whirlwind. 

Listen When: you’re doing your best Stevie Nicks impression.

You May Also Like: Jagwar Ma | Death in Vegas | Wolf Alice | Mini Mansions 

Spotify Link: Priestess - Pumarosa

Here’s a super-slinky new track from YOUTH aka Krissy from North London. That seductive synth-organ over a dark, down-tempo beat makes for a nice bedroom vibe. 

Listen When: you’re lighting candles for a special night in with your paramour. 

You May Also Like: Cannons | Farao | Made In Heights | Pablo Nouvelle

Spotify Link: Just For You - YOUTH

Spike and the Sweet Spots sound like what you’d imagine a band with that name would sound—crunchy and lo-fi and overtly vintage. Title track “Strange Breed” is the epitome of short and sweet, very jangly and lyrically tight.

Listen When: you’re shopping for denim jackets. 

You May Also Like: The Dutchess and the Duke | Nick Waterhouse | Palmas | Birch

Spotify Link: Strange Breed - Spike and the Sweet Spots