From the opening strands of Kid Mountain’s new single "Hangman," it’s apparent the band isn’t leaving listeners ‘hanging’ when it comes to their influences on the first single to their upcoming record, The Birds Are In Misery. If the album’s title, and the visible nod to veteran kings of misery, Modest Mouse, are anything to go by, Kid Mountain is gearing up to tell a few stories or two about subjects more on the sadder side, a stark contrast to the title of their record released in 2012, Happies. The band seems like they're ready to tackle the incredible confusion that can result from miscommunication; the song kicks off with a grunt, perhaps showing off obvious frustration. Kid Mountain takes us through what could be perceived as a stream of consciousness, starting with some thoughts about coupons, before slowly drifting into a more serious conversation with the lyrics, "If you're the sun strong and brave / then I am a person trapped in this cage." Keeping with the band's Soundcloud description where they detail their desire to "Make eclectic music that bridges the gap between mindless dance tunes and thoughtful societal conversation," "Hangman" maintains the anxiety-inducing feeling of an old school game of hangman: you never know which direction you'll be taken. The official video for "Hangman" was released on February 25 via BIRP.

Los Angeles genre-bending artist Moses Sumney released his gorgeous and ethereal debut album Aromanticism into the world this September. Sumney has made a big impression on artists like Solange and Sufjan Stevens for good reason. His infusion of soul and folk come together on this album in a way that leaves us begging for more. A prime example of this heavenly blend is found on the third song of the album, “Plastic.” A previous version of the song can be heard on the first season of Issa Rae’s HBO series, Insecure. This new version serves as one of the more simplistic songs on the album, featuring just a fingerpicked electric guitar, a synth and Sumney’s captivating voice. The hook of the song repeats the line “my wings are made of plastic,” each time sung in a slightly different way than it was before, continuing to imbue the phrase with new meaning. This song of vulnerability, self-awareness and secret-spilling is the kind that you can leave on repeat and get lost in for hours.