NEW MUSIC ROUNDUP 8/20 – Top 10 Tracks

With so much new music coming out every week, it can be hard to know what to listen to first. Every week, we highlight some of our favorite tracks to kick off your weekend. The best way to keep up with our selections is by following our ‘New Music On-Repeat’ playlist on Spotify. This week’s picks include tracks from Remi Wolf, Future Islands, Kevin Abstract, and more!

1. 1. Remi Wolf – “Quiet On Set”

Pop scientist Remi Wolf announced her debut album Juno with the release of two new singles “Quiet On Set” and “Grumpy Old Man”. We’ve been following Remi Wolf since her 2020 hit “Photo ID”, and fallen in love with the fun, fascinating pop landscapes she creates and her quirky persona. “Quiet On Set” is a grooving track with a bit of mania lying just beneath the surface of its swagger-drenched exterior. Remi’s punchy vocal delivery gives a nod to Oliver Tree, but the effortlessly cool track is totally Remi.

1. 1. 2. Sam Ezeh – “Fantasy”

Sam Ezeh is truly a master at the helm, writing, producing, mixing, and even creating the visuals for his projects. Today the Swedish musician gives us a fabulous new retro single “Fantasy”. “Fantasy” is a song you can’t help but groove along to, with luscious rhythms and sultry harmonies that transport you back to the golden age of disco.

1. 1. 2. 3. Ginger Root – “Neighbor”

Ginger Root is the indie soul project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cameron Lew, who has self-described his music as “aggressive elevator soul”. Ginger Root just released their new EP ‘City Slicker’, which includes one of our new favorite tracks “Neighbor”. This song is unequivocally fun due to Lew’s production flares such as distant xylophone trills and warbling synths.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. DMA’s – “Viol”

Australian three-piece rock band DMA’s surprised fans with a new EP today ‘I Love You Unconditionally, Sure Am Going To Miss You’. The band returns to the strongest incarnation of their sound on this EP, which the band describes as “a noisy guitar pop explosion that brings us back to our roots”. “Viol” is one of the most exalted tracks on the record, and it teems with shining riffs and feel-good nostalgic alt-rock.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. swim school – “see red”

Edinburgh four piece swim school released their debut EP ‘making sense of it all’ today, introducing us to this promising indie-rock band. One of our favorite songs on the record is “see red”, a biting breakup song focusing on hindsight. Swim school’s influences are readily apparent throughout the EP, but especially on “see red”, blending the sound of indie bands past and present such as The Cure, Slowdive, and Wolf Alice.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mills – “The Store”

This is the first new music from singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Mills since his April EP ‘Train of Thoughts’. Mills was born in Bowling Green, KY and carries a slight southern influence into his joyous indie pop. “The Store” has the melodic swagger of a great Nashville songwriter and the ethos of sun-drenched Los Angeles.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Future Islands – “Peach”

Baltimore synth-pop quartet Future Islands released this new one-off single “Peach”, marking their first new release of 2021. This track is more mellow than their usual work, but still carries all of the opulent atmosphere we’ve come to love from the group. Their US tour is set to begin in September, and we can’t wait to see them on the road again.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Kevin Abstract – “Sierra Nights” ft. Ryan Beatty

On his second solo release this year, BROCKHAMPTON’s Kevin Abstract partners with longtime friend and collaborator Ryan Beatty to create this ode to the end of summer. With pandemic restrictions loosened, this summer felt like the first tiny taste of normalcy. But as the future becomes uncertain as we move into fall, we can all relate to the feeling of premature nostalgia for those sunnier days. Abstract captures that wistfulness masterfully, with his ability to craft winding feel-good vibes shining on this track.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Blossoms – “Care For”

English quintet Blossoms are masters at translating effortless joy into music, and that remarkable ability quickly propelled them from gigs at local clubs to festival stages in their early rise. Their synth-forward Brit-pop is instantly appealing, and this new track “Care For” is a charming disco-inspired love song that everyone will love.

1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. LANY – “never mind, let’s break up”

LANY is back with another poppy breakup anthem from their forthcoming album ‘gg bb xx’ out September 3^rd. The group has become known for their ability to craft relatable pop tunes that really connect with listeners. “never mind, let’s break up” is a bright, hopeful perspective on breakups that balances its simplicity with precise production that lets the songwriting take center stage.