The Weeknd has delivered the eponymous track off his upcoming record Kiss Land . After entering this hedonism theme park, Abel Tesfaye so passionately croons away his most daring confessions. Amid various screams, the nearly 8 minute track quickly gains an aggressive path with an unrelenting thump of synth power. Alot of different beat changes on this, so listen closely to the horror.
There’s come a song released around May every year that only needs one listen to see how much Summer hit potential it is. This year, LA’s brand new Smallpools have struck gold with their debut single “Dreaming”. This is synth-pop perfection that has massive crossover appeal and should be on every radio station in the country within weeks. Hooks that are instantaneously memorabl e, a huge bridge of “woah oh oh”, jangly riffs and sprightly synths all spell out the recipe for success on here. A west coast Ghost Beach comes to mind after a few listen. Sure I [...]
There’s not many more bands we love with all our heart in this world than Lexy and the Kill , and if you’ve been following HCM for any bit of time, you’ll know this adoration well. So today we are so happy to share the “We Can’t Dance Alone” B-Side, “The Ballad of Love & Hate”. A absolute powerhouse of a tune featuring a gigantic set of riffs, and Lexy’s soaring vocals that would all be appropriate in an arena setting. When her voice gets all raspy near the climax, my heart melts just a little bit. [...]
After recently being championed our British Invasions , the innovative trip Benin City debut the first single “Faithless” off their debut record Fires in the Park. The track is a darkly melodic play that uses Joshua Idehen’s Theophilus London-style vocals to spectacular use. Their signature ”electro bass” back play works wonders as the complex soundscape fools with all other emotions. Pretty much taking every gene and making something incredibly unique is what these guys do best, and this is just another demonstration on how good these guys are.
Leeds based Swimming Lessons has crafted a beautiful underwater adventure on new single “Double”. Drowning yet evocative vocals from Ben Lewis light the way over a playful and expansive electronic landscape that feels as hopeful as it is adventurous. A hugely inspirational offering that can offer our dreams a chance at reality. Close your eyes and be ready to ingest all of this sparking magic.
While sadly we still don’t have any word of new The Naked and Famous music on the horizon, the band will release a remixes and B-Sides EP on May 20th. Peaking our interest is this Kids of 88 assisted “A Source of Light” which is a reworking of Passive Me Aggressive You track “The Source”. Yes, this is technically not a new song, but this does just enough to breathe new life into a 3 year old song.
Newly signed to her own Saint Records, Solange gives us a treat in a collab with it-man Kendrick Lamar on a re-working of “Looks Good With Trouble” from last year’s Truth EP. The soulful, bedroom-approved cut has an eerie overlay that is especially noticeable once the Compton rapper starts up. Frequent collaborator Dev Hynes is once again masterfully behind the boards. Buy the single now .
San Francisco The Dodos are gearing up to release their new record Carrier August 28th on Polyvinyl. After the very sad death of their guitarist Christopher Reimer, a slightly more aggressive sound seems to have been introduced. The pop-aesthetic is still there, but just hiding in the shadows as a more guitar-centered sound is explored. Still a great track though, and it’s wonderful to see this band back in the limelight.
Gorgeously infectious spaghetti western vibes are in abundance on the new track by London’s Men’s Adventure . The pondering of lost cowboys are on display as the sun is just about to hit the ground for the night. Never before has the feeling of giving up felt so exuberant and playful. Their new Solitary Trip EP will be out June 24th on Dirty Bingo.
The Miami Horror-affiliated Honeymooon have dropped their 2nd single “Sure Stuck”. It a delightfully sinful combination of 70’s pop with a 60’s era psych attitude that works best if you free your mind of any stresses. A pulsating groove that is heard throughout will help us all call for our inner-hippie out on the nearest beach. An album will be out later this year.
He released one of the best songs of 2012 on “Pull Me Down”, even made a Rihanna song bearable to listen to and now the up and coming star Mikky Ekko releases a new demo “Disappear”. The gorgeous ambient underlay provides all the minimalist emotional scenery the man needs to use his incredible set of pipes to stunning use. The raw energy is captured in a swelling cinematic movement, one that builds to inescapable close. How anyone would not want to run away with this world class talent is mind-boggling. After careful consideration, this [...]
Manchester’s The 1975 continue to be the hardest working band in the business as their fourth EP IV is due out next week on Vagrant/Dirty Hit. The album closer “fallingforyou” is a tender love story told in a muggy R&B-flavored electronic soundscape. This band already knows how to write a song and make girls around the world melt in their presence, and this will heighten both of those claims.
Indie Babe of the Week The Australian-born, London-based up and comer George Maple (who you might have heard on a Flume or Snakehips song) has stepped out on her own again and released the down right sultry “OPST”. A more mellow approach than her previous collaborative exper iences, the beautifully soulful voice is given a static, piano-led playground to work with. A classical talent that fits perfectly in with a moody post-modern sound. She’s currently working on her debut record with the likes of Bondax, Snakehips and Shadow [...]
The Channing Tatum of the production game, Ryan Hemsworth is set to release a new EP Still Awake next week. Our first taste is the utterly romantic “Perfectly”. If there was any ever musical form to express the love for your one and only in life, this is it. The woozy samples show that sometimes feelings are too intense to be said through an easily interpretable language. The Canadian prince continues to prove how he can do no wrong.
Danish dark-pop starlet MØ uses a more heavy set load of kung-fu electronics on the first official single from her debut album, the sinister “Waste of Time”. Becoming more intimidating by the minute, the songstress tells tales of broken love through strained black and white imagery. Karen Marie Ørsted is just so powerful and soulful at times, that it’s so fun to hear her competing with the oncoming riffs at the track’s peak. Last week, MØ also put out a video for the MS MR remix of “Pilgrim”. The debut [...]
Del’Boy drops some animated visuals for new single “Half Pint”. The subtle, jazzy beat creeps up on you as we learn all about the struggles of growing up.
Splashh continue to deliver hazy waves on the All I Wanna Do” b-side “Today (Fade Away)”. Heavy psych-pop riffs fill the air as raw energy starts to take over. Even though the band has hit their most aggressive, the hazy charm remains fully intact. Once again, this band makes the type of songs that are best heard while laying in the sand as the undying sun sits overhead. Stream and download below. The debut album Comfort will be out in September on Kanine.
It feels so good to have Fenech-Soler back in our lives. While we still have to wait until September 2nd for the sophomore record Rituals , we can now feast our ears on the set’s first single “Magnetic”. As we still have “Lies” on constant repeat here at HCM HQ, I can happily report that this explosive new single can stand right next to that classic gem. This is obvious perfect electro-pop and this feels like it has major charting potential. The boys are back. The video explores the confusion between reality and fantasy [...]
The hottest LA chanteuse on the scene at the moment, Banks , hooks up with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs to deliver a delectable slice of electro-pop on “Warm Water”. Though I have lived next to the awful and constantly freezing Atlantic Ocean my whole life, I imagine this is what it sounds like it when your feet first touch down on Pacific Ocean soil. Full of warm unabashed coolness and silky melodies that put you in the most serene on moods.
Can hardly find any information about these guys (besides the fact they’re from Lake Orion and a man named Joshua Coy Jouppi is involved) but COY MAN BOY have crafted the perfect Summer campfire ode on the instantly lovable “My Brothers”. Full of charming harmonies, a chugging ukulele, and hazy thoughts all the way through, this is one to have on blast as you enjoy your lakeside residence in a couple of months. Shout out to Hilly Dilly for the introduction.
Hand Clap Movement
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Noteworthy (Stream): Telekinesis – Ghosts and Creatures
