This week was about new voices and old sounds. Producers and bands you haven't heard of playing songs you feel like you already know all the words to. Meet Jordan Bratton, Twerps, and the rest of the fresh faces that call up comparisons to Elliot Smith and The Feelies, and cop cosigns from TV On The Radio and Fabolous. I think we've all been fiending for some new friends, so scroll down and introduce yourself.
Salva, "Freaky Dancing"
"Unsurprisingly, [LA is] where the producer calls home, and you can definitely hear some of its endless, sunny space in the glazed sheen of the track's sustained bliss, made up of big synths and immaculately programmed drums."—Alexander Iadarola. Read the full write up here.
Weyes Blood, The Innocents
"Her practice of "unhinging" her voice when she sings, as though she were "blasting harmonically" through "two open alligator jaws"... helped explain the almost debilitating swell of emotion she manages to pack into each one of melodically acrobatic folk songs, although there was one thing she said to me that day—something that actually didn't make it into the piece—that actually made me tear up."—Emilie Friedlander. Read the full write up here.
Kali Uchis, "Know What I Want"
"Lurking through texts and banishing suitors to the friend zone is juvenile, sure, but if Kali has a songwriting gift, it's making adolescent love sound as achy as it feels."—Matthew Trammell. Read the full write up here.
D33J, Rich Gang's "Lifestyle (Vacation Edit)"
"D33J breaks the sleepy paean down and resurrects it as a wavy, thumping jam that isn't really about anything except making you feel a lil drunk."—Liz Raiss. Read the full write up here.
Twerps, "Back To You"
"Despite being about self-loathing, jealousy, and a potentially damaging relationship, the track is bittersweet; the classic-feeling chorus and whimsical melodic flourishes project a specific sort of optimism, like, life's shit now—but maybe it won't always be such a bummer."—Patrick D. McDermott. Read the full write up here.
Grace, "Pluto"
"[Dave Sitek] produced Grace's debut single, "Pluto," which manages the neat trick of going from understated to ginormous without breaking so much as a sweat."—Ruth Saxelby. Read the full write up here.
Jordan Bratton, "Danger ft. Fabolous"
“There are a lot of temptations and distractions out here, and sometimes you gotta remind yourself to stay true and focused. I remind myself with this song."—Jordan Bratton. Read the full write up here.
London O'Connor, "Oatmeal"
"London O'Connor's droopy angst ridden anthem "Oatmeal" reminded us of middle school Saturday's spent leaving sweat stains on a Playstation controller, annoyed at everything and nothing."—Matthew Trammell. Read the full write up here.
Angelo de Augustine, "Old Hope"
"Smack me in the face with an Elliott Smith tape. Bury me in Nick Drake box sets. And play "Old Hope" again."—Duncan Cooper. Read the full write up here.
Ekka, "Last Chance To Dance"
"The places where formative experiences with music occur are often very special, but there’s nothing really like the euphoria (or melancholy) of an amazing club space."—Alexander Iadarola. Read the full write up here.
