#electrop

Though I can’t say that I’ve ever had an obsession with mermaids, I did grow up quite fond of films like Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and 80s classic Splash. Be The Bear, the fiercely independent female artist and producer from Sweden who cast an icy bewitching spell on us last year with Erupt, is back with her glacial enchantment and euphonious, crystalline pop on a complexly constructed song named Mermaid. The art pop artist commands our attention and enthralls our ears in a dulcet sparkling way reminiscent of artists like Oh Land, Bjork, and AURORA. Christina Wehage, the powerhouse musician behind Be The Bear (and also the owner of Gothenburg-based label Loud Attic), originally wrote Mermaid for a friend who was going through a dark time, but it’s really a love song to anyone who struggles with mental illness. She consoles us and lifts us up with her aria, which arrives during Mental Health Awareness Month. Christina explains that the titled "Mermaid" comes from "the imagery from H.C. Andersen’s Danish folktale, the original Little Mermaid. Did you know, in the original story she sacrificed herself for love, and ended up becoming a whisper on the wind? Mermaids don’t have eternal souls, but she finds out how she can acquire one, and spends 300 years doing good deeds with other ‘Daughters of the Air.’” Mermaid is out now, here.

The Good Side // Troye Sivan

WE NEED ANOTHER Supreme Show THANKS NAKATA

Ahhh, A R I Z O N A, who can forget how stupendously heart melting and movingly exhilarating the Jersey electronica/alt pop band was on their 2017 debut album Gallery? I’ll never forget their amazing sold out show at Popscene, too, which sold out in a flash and was a highlight of that year. Well, guess what? They’re back! Even as they’re embarking on tour with alt legends Panic! At The Disco, the trio have found time to release two new songs. Take in the tender melting, vigorous pounding splendor of 80s-inflected ballad Freaking Out via its video above. Then stream aptly titled Summer Days below, which is quite the warm prancing electronic track, with just a hint of reggae/ska in its scratchy, raspy vocals and infectious cadence. Both sublimely lifting tracks are available, here. If you get a chance to catch A R I Z O N A while they’re on tour with Panic!, make sure you get out there early enough for a transcendental experience. 

It’s impossible not to sensually contort your torso to Body Language, a provocative R&B pop song with creamy, silky crooning from Eventide, a duo based out of both Los Angeles and NYC. It’s a luscious first introduction to the pair for us, even though Eventide has been a force in the scene for a few years. There’s no way we’ll be missing out on any of their music now that we’ve been wooed by their nimbly prancing beats and svelte pop. Body Language is available from iTunes, here. Stream more of Eventide’s music via Soundcloud, here.

We were immensely thrilled the other day when we caught word that Marian Hill would be visiting San Francisco in April with a headline show at the Warfield, plus they’re bringing LA crooner Michl with them, too. Now we’re wildly ecstatic, because the Philadelphia duo have come back strong with a bewitching new tune, too! Marian Hill drenches us with their sultry prowling electronica, R&B, and trap on Subtle Thing, whose deep enthrallment is far from subtle. Subtle Ting’s warbling, pitching, and jabbing production align with their biggest hit, Down. Subtle Thing is a darkly winding, serpentine curling single that heralds the impending arrival of the group’s hotly-anticipated sophomore album. Aside from their stop in San Francisco, Marian Hill’s upcoming full-scale North American headline tour will take them all across the U.S. They’ll even be making an appearance at Coachella. Subtle Thing is out now via all digital retailers, here.

New Party Nails single So Broke arrives two months after the Los Angeles based pop chanteuse toured nationwide with the likes of PVRIS and Lights, and one month after she worked with GETTER on his single Solo. She’s even linked up with LA electronic duo Battle Tapes on her new offering, a dance-ready explosion of peppy beats, sassy cooing, and gritty synths. So Broke is like HOLYCHILD and Fickle Friends gone super dance pop and electro; it’s vivacious and vibrant, irresistible and contagious. Party Nails is currently working on a debut full length album and planning a spring tour. Stream more of this rising starlet’s music on Soundcloud, here.

Lo-Fi - Interferences [Electro Spain]