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Mallrat - Rockstar
Mallrat - Rockstar

Mallrat - Rockstar


Australian singer Mallrat’s languid new single “Rockstar” strips her electro-pop down to something darker, claiming ownership of her own heartbreak. Pulling away from her usual electro-pop form, the track finds Mallrat leaning into a 90's Britpop and psych rock sound straight from the dated living room in the single’s album art. Trading in bouncing synths for weary chords, the song exists in the exhaust haze her last lover left behind. “Don't think you're slick for cashing in on my magic,” she calls out, and you wonder what it truly takes to obliterate those memories. Someone can take advantage of you in every which way, and even the glamorous distraction of being married to a rockstar, having a family and shelves lined with awards may never be enough. 

But by reclaiming the narrative, Mallrat shows that there’s strength to existing in those feelings. Melancholy evolves into a self-satisfied apathy; she knows now that “When you call my name it’ll be too late,” while the groggy guitar outro serves as the final blow, pummeling those insecurities into the ground. In a statement, Mallrat explained how the songs she’s written lately “have been me realising my power.” While she’s made her name known with a handful of EPs since 2016, “Rockstar” is the lead single from her upcoming debut album due sometime in 2021.

Ysabella Monton on October 8, 2020
Refs - Boarding It Up

Refs - Boarding It Up


Don't be fooled by REFS' small social followings; this music is the real deal. Brooklyn based Zachary Lipkins' REFS has melded pop with a myriad of textures to create beautiful synth confessionals. He has only released four singles, but a couple have already been featured on HBO's "Girls," The CW's "Riverdale" and MTV's "Scream". This new single builds off of the projects R&B/synth-pop sound with a emotional rawness akin to James Bay. Lipkins' vocal control is not only impressive but incredibly emotive, bubbling all of his feelings into the track so that we too, are filled to the brim. Though we don't know much about REFS, Lipkins' anonymity and short collection makes these releases all the more anticipatory. We can't wait for more.

Natasha Cucullo on January 12, 2018
Lukas Frank - Shame (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)

Lukas Frank - Shame (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)


This ultra somber and haunting song co-written by Lukas Frank and Phoebe Bridgers and can be found on the fourth episode of the new Netflix show Godless. With the repeated line "Where is God now?" heard various times throughout it under the grimacing Western sounding guitar tones, it's the perfect fit for a show about outlaws in the Wild West or if you just like really sad music.

Dara Bankole on January 12, 2018
Pale Grey - Seasons

Pale Grey - Seasons


Belgian indie group Pale Grey’s single, “Seasons” off of their new album, Waves is the perfect complement to a quiet fall afternoon. It starts off with a simple beat and some garage-like synths that quickly fill up the track with a feeling of longing. Though it sits at just over two minutes, the song packs an emotional punch with minimal production. It asks the question of whether or not you can go on when the one you love passes away, and in that contemplation is where the song shines.

Nick Arcos on January 10, 2018
JR JR - Clean Up

JR JR - Clean Up


Indie favorites JR JR, formerly known as Dale Earnhardt JR JR, have returned to the scene with new music after their self-titled LP back in 2015. The new single, “Clean Up” offers a look at the mind of someone coming to terms with their addictions and indulgences. The duo uses a throbbing bass line, simple plucked guitar and harmonies to illustrate the conflict that happens when one willfully chooses something that is bad for them. “Clean Up” brings JR JR to a more provocative realm, and one that we are excited to see more of in the upcoming album.

Nick Arcos on January 7, 2018
Henry Jamison - The Wilds

Henry Jamison - The Wilds


Henry Jamison is a storyteller at heart. It may be in his blood — his father, a classical composer, and his mother, an English professor — but Jamison is a writer and artist in his own right, evidenced by his debut album The Wilds (released October 27th)Beyond writing, recording and arranging the album all on his own, Jamison has a special ability to bring each track to life. Take his song, “The Wilds”: it’s instrumentally rich without being overbearing, letting Jamison’s narrative whisk you away. “The Wilds” sounds like an old-time American love story - unassuming and familiar, but nevertheless, still surprising.

Natasha Cucullo on January 7, 2018
Moses Sumney - Plastic

Moses Sumney - Plastic


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.

Dara Bankole on October 22, 2017

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