Zola Jesus: “Fall Back” 

Dark-wave queen Zola Jesus has traded drones for strings on her recent re-imagined album Versions, which consists of orchestral renditions of her past recordings. “Fall Back,” the album’s sole original track, confirms that orchestral-pop is a good look for Zola Jesus. Once Nika Danilova’s powerhouse vocals kick-in during the chorus, it becomes a competition between her and the orchestra to see who can ascend to greater heights. She may be singing “I would do anything to be the one with you,” but the breathtaking string arrangements makes her yearning sound far more celebratory than brooding. 

https://soundcloud.com/sacredbones/zola-jesus-fall-back

 

The Belle Game: “River”

“River,” the lead single off The Belle Game’s debut album, Ritual Tradition Habit, is a perfect piece of reverb-soaked indie-rock that is reminiscent of Grizzly Bear circa Yellow House. Lead vocalist Andrea Lo’s beautiful and seductive voice soars, while the guitars pay homage to your favorite Walkman songs. If you have an affinity for 00’s guitar-based indie-rock, (as many of us do), this is the track you have been waiting for.

https://soundcloud.com/thebellegame/the-belle-game-river

 

Keep Shelly In Athens: “Recollection” 

Why Shelly should stay in Athens is unknown, but if it means more atmospheric electro-pop in the vein of their recent single “Recollection” than don’t let her leave. The only adequate adjective to describe “Recollection” is euphoric. Its use of blissful synth pads and dreamy melodies immediately transports you back to the weightless days of childhood. If you are looking for a break from the banality of daily life, let “Recollection” be your escape. 

https://soundcloud.com/cascine/keep-shelly-in-athens/s-zV4a9

 

Into It. Over It: “Spinning Thread”

Lately, Into It. Over It mastermind Evan Weiss has been occupying his time with side projects such as Pet Symmetry and Their/They’re/There. This fall, though, he will be returning to his day job, with producer Brian Deck (Iron & Wine/Modest Mouse) in tow. “Spinning Thread,” the first single from his forthcoming album, Intersections, finds Weiss aligning his pop-punk vocals and disheartening lyrics with off-kilter rhythms to create a tightly wound anxious anthem.

https://soundcloud.com/triplecrownrecords/into-it-over-it-spinning

 

Washed Out: “It Feels Alright”

Portlandia fans rejoice: Washed Out has returned in all his chill-wave glory. “It Feels Alright,” a standout off his latest album, Paragosm, consists of psych-pop melodies dowsed in reverb and served with a side of orchestral flourishes. He even “put a bird on it” during the track’s atmospheric intro, which features samples of chirping and a harp.

It’s a kaleidoscope of sounds that somehow meld together to create a fluid, dream-like, soundscape. 

https://soundcloud.com/mac11-music/washed-out-it-all-feels-right