Half pop singer, half hippie, Zella Day instantly pulls you in with her starry-eyed, carefree intonation.  With her recent single, “Sweet Ophelia,” Day seems to join these two converse approaches into something somewhat intoxicating.  Day’s voice spirals throughout the entire track and only breaks to to explode with a hook heavy chorus that makes all the blood rush to your head.  “Sweet Ophelia” can be found on Day’s recently released, self-titled EP.  Enjoy.

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 Minipop creates hazy pop tracks that should be the soundtrack for just about any dream sequence.  Since forming in 2004, they have crafted sweet little pop tunes that are equal parts enchanting and endearing.  “Chances,” off their latest EP, is perhaps their catchiest tune to date, starting off with dripping guitar chords until they are consumed by the misty voice of songstress, Tricia Kanne.  Enjoy.

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There is something in Cannon’s music that separates them from the spate of synth pop bands that seem to emerge every twelve minutes or so.  Earlier this summer, we highlighted the R&B laced “Up All Night,” off of Cannon’s debut EP of the same name.  This time around, the focus is on “Neon Light,” a more upbeat track that has massive soft disco elements.  The contrasts between “Up All Night” and “Neon Light” shows the group’s flexibility in embracing various influences, all with the purpose of making danceable grooves.  “Neon Light” moves seamlessly between verse and chorus with sparkling tones and appropriately placed buildups (the hallmark of any great disco track).  Enjoy.

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It’s no secret that Polyenso draws its inspiration from the likes of Radiohead and Coldplay.  “17 New Years,” the first single off what will hopefully be their sophomore album under the name Polyenso (they previously released music as Oceana), looks to be taking inspiration from an unlikely source and combining it with their love for their alternative rock and pop roots.  “17 New Years” has unmistakable R&B and neo-soul flavor, which works surprisingly well as an extension of what they created with their first album, One Big Particular Loop.  Polyenso makes the marriage of alternative, experimental rock with soul seamless.  “17 New Years” has me excited for what’s to come.  I hope it does the same for you.  Enjoy.

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How could I not post about Be Forest after seeing them last night live for the first time?  This psychedelic dream pop group rarely makes a stateside appearance so it great to see them and even better to witness how well their music translates live.  Be Forest is a cross between tribal music and the XX, with a mix of pounding, rhythmic drums and near ambient melodies.  “Airwaves,” from their debut album, Earthbeat, is a perfect example of the hypnotic tones Be Forest conjures up, and is even more consuming when seen live.  Enjoy.

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Battleships basically likes to torture us.  They come out with an incredible song and then make us wait months and months for the next track.  It’s a punishment I’m willing to endure when every song they come out with is so powerful and intimate.  Their most recent track, “You Can’t Change It,” basically keeps the streak alive with us sitting patiently and then being rewarded with a track that mixes beauty and frustration and connects with you on every level.  Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for a debut album.  Enjoy.

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Zola Blood leave little on the internet about who they are and therefore leave a lot to the imagination.  One thing we do not need to imagine is the level of talent based on their first single, “Grace,” which was released over the summer.  Dark and rich, “Grace” gives us a hazy peak into a band that looks to be taking a more ominous approach to synth music.  The electronics are grinding, the bass is heavy, the vocals are desolate, and my fascination is barely containable.  Enjoy.

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There must be some kind of secret rock ballad school in the UK that trains bands to craft emotional powerhouse tracks capable of leveling cities.  England’s Racing Glaciers definitely took notes because their recent single, “First Light,” off their third EP, Don’t Wait For Me, is one of those exhilarating songs that seems to make your heart race faster with each passing note.  The verses are delicately crafted and lead to choruses that soar with horns, mercilessly pounded bass drums, and open, inspiring lyrics.  Looks like they’ve graduated from that rock ballad school with honors.  Enjoy.

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I might have been in the minority of people who didn’t love The XX’s second album, Coexist.  However, a remix of one of the bonus tracks, “Reconsider,” produced by band member, Jamie XX, captures the essence of what made the trio’s first album a game changer.  Not as subdued as the whole of Coexist, the “Reconsider” remix has sharper beats, a more aggressive pace, and is a great reminder of what made The XX a dominant force in the indie scene and one of the defining bands of dream pop.  It’s good to have them back.  Enjoy.

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I very rarely post covers but Chet Faker’s “No Diggity” is just too cool to ignore.  Chet’s scratchy voice achingly lays out the verses with a relaxed smoothness adds another dimension to a track that has probably been played to death by anyone over the age of 30.  The music is more stripped down than the 1996 classic, with just a synthesizer and some beats, which adds to the laid-back vibe of 2014 version.  Chet keeps the essence of the track intact while adding enough of his own personal stamp to make it fresh and original.

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