It is no secret that I was floored by Shrines, Purity Ring’s 2013 debut album.  It was dark, sharp, complex synth pop with southern rap beats thumping through most of the record.  Just yesterday, Purity Ring unveiled their new track, “Push Pull.”  The lighter feel and the absence of those deep beats from the dirty south can be heard immediately and may herald a newer, more accessible pop sound for the duo.  Even if this is a departure from what what Purity Ring previously mastered, it appears their creativity in lyrics and orchestration remains intact.  “Push Pull” may be more digestible for the masses but it still has the signature of a matured pop group ready to expand into new terrain.

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“10,000 Emerald Pools” is the debut single from emerging indie artist, BØRNS.  A Michigan native now soaking in the west coast, laid back vibes of LA, BØRNS is translating his new state of mind directly into his impressive, dreamy new track.  BØRNS is a one man show, so don’t be fooled by the vocals…that’s all the work of this new star.  The new indie mainstay just signed with Interscope and after hearing his masterful indie pop debut EP, Candy, Interscope just made its best move all year.  Start listening to BØRNS now so you can brag you were one of the first.  Enjoy.

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It was only a few weeks ago that we posted a track by the slick pop group, Cannons.  Right around that time, the LA-based trio released their new single, “Night Verses.”  Cannons are creating quite an impressive track record of complex synth tracks that pulsate with lush electronics, danceable beats and Michelle Joy’s icy yet intimate voice.  “Night Verses” has Cannons revisiting dream pop territory laced with R&B, which they clearly know very well.  Like their other songs, “Night Verses” has a shadowy feel, mixing a sense of mystery and allure with each beat.  This is how dream pop is supposed to sound.  Enjoy.

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It’s been eons since GRRL PAL released their ethereal debut single, “Amazon.”  Finally, the indie duo returns with their remarkably chill follow-up single, “Paradise.”  A sharper use of electronics snakes through this exotic, pulse soothing track, as Jay Daniel’s voice effortlessly floats above with each verse.  Hopefully, we won’t have to wait over a year for a third track.  But while we wait, it helps to be able to have a little “Paradise.”  Enjoy.

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Scoop “Paradise” for free by clicking the arrow on the Soundcloud player.

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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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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Whenever pop music aspires to be more than just pop music, it’s worthy of our attention.  Such is the case with “Strange Enough,” the second single from the mysterious NY artist, Verite.  “Strange Enough” is darker and delves into more emotional complexity than your average pop fare, making it unique amidst a sea of songs churned out with cheerful electronics and upbeat, lighthearted vocalists.  Verite is off to a pretty impressive start and it will be interesting to see how she continues to stay miles ahead of her peers.  Enjoy.

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Most indie female songstresses use breathy, pixiesh vocals to disarm you.  But on Indian Summer’s “Shiner,” guest vocalist Missy from Ginger and the Ghost drops eerie vocals that are pulling double duty: scaring you while luring you in for more.  Indian Summer has been grinding it out as producers for the past few years and has found a unique sound with their latest piece of work.  “Shiner” starts off like a ghost in the shadows and then the bass drops, shattering the ground at your feet.  I’m hooked.  Enjoy.

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Scoop “Shiner” here

Any song opening that reminds me of “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama is automatically on my must play list.  “Up All Night” by Los Angeles’ Cannons embraces 80s pop while feeling current and a bit futuristic.  The trio have perfectly honed their self described “future boogie” into an insanely groovy track that is seductive and funky at the same time.  I may be prone to exaggeration but based on the few songs released by Cannons so far, we have a slick new synth pop group that is poised to take the indie world by storm.  Enjoy.

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Child Actor’s Sedgie Ogilvy can lay down vocals that seem so cold and distant yet warm at the same time.  Perhaps it’s her smooth delivery or how perfectly her voice is contrasted over sparking, sharp synths.  “Against the Night” also strikes a balance between intimacy and brash electronics, with lyrics that are at times a call to arms (It had to be you and me/Against the night) or a reveal of vulnerability (Hold me close and everything starts to burn/I know it’s late but it’s never too late to learn).  “Against the Night” is the group’s first new song in over a year.  The new track evidences growth for the group in production since their debut album (Victory) and recent EP (Promise) while also more reflective of the music they crafted with their first EPs over two years ago.

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Scoop “Against the Night” for free from the soundcloud player