New Music Wednesday, August 10

1. GL — Hallucinate

I found GL courtesy of Purple Sneakers, an Australian based indie blog/twitter/podcast that supplies all the hits of Australia’s underground. This synth heavy, 80’s type groove just makes you happy all over. The video for “Hallucinate” just dropped early last month, so keep a look out for what else is to come from these talented Aussies. They’re making a few stops around Australia on tour this September showing off their new album Touch.

2. London Summers — Valley

Probably my favorite on the list this week. London Summers has been in the industry for quite some time, but “Valley” is his first personal release after some legal issues with last release, “Downtown Savanna,” according to Pigeons & Planes. “Valley” has a smooth, slow vibe to it, with scratchy, deep vocals leading a steady, continuous beat. I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for his debut album Wifi Cassanova dropping this fall.

3. Kehlani — Gangsta

Even though I’m not down with romanticizing Joker & Harley Quinn’s unhealthy, Stockholm Syndrome-esque relationship, I’ll definitely listen to “Gangsta” on repeat all week. If you haven’t listened to the Suicide Squad soundtrack yet, let me just leave the link right here. It’s probably been the most talked about movie & soundtrack of the year, so do yourself a favor & take a listen. Highlights also include: Panic! At The Disco’s cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Kevin Gates’ “Know Better,” Grimes’ new track (that was featured in my last New Music Wednesday), & “Standing in The Rain” with Action Bronson, Mark Ronson & Dan Auerbach.

4. Regina Spektor — Bleeding Heart

Two weeks ago Regina Spektor dropped Bleeding Heart, her first release since 2012, & it doesn’t disappoint. A one Regina Spektor once opened the doors to my slightly weird, extremely melodic music taste back in high school when I was first experimenting with music that wasn’t top 40. I attribute a lot to the great Spektor, so finding out that she is planning on releasing her new album Remember Us to Life reportedly by September 30 of this year had me geeking out like a once 16-year-old me. Fair warning, this song will almost definitely get stuck in your head, so make sure you’re in the mood for a light, repetitive & fun tune.

5. Fleurie — Sparks

The video for “Sparks” dropped Friday & it’s full of as much indie-pop realness as you could get, honestly. With hipster-esque date elements such as bonfires, Jeep rides, retro rollerskating rinks & beanies galore, it’s a fun compliment to the song’s very simple & fun tone. Fleurie, meaning, “in bloom,” in French, backs an effervescent punch in the chorus that just makes you feel so, so good.

6. DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber — Let Me Love You

It’s the battle of the Justin Bieber featured DJ mixes this week. DJ Snake just released his album Encore Friday, with single “Let Me Love You,” which sounds a bit like 2014's DJ Snake radio hit & mixing bowl of talent, “Lean on,” featuring MO & Major Lazer. Now for the epic DJ hit factory battle. Major Lazer, non-ironically, is also charting with his mix featuring the Biebs &, you guessed it, MO. I’m sensing a trend? Maybe even a bit of a DJ rivalry? Either way, if it’s bringing us Bieber infused pop textbook hits, why not go along with it, right? Watch the video above if you want a taste of yet another compilation of Justin Bieber ego factory clips. It’s not my favorite song of the week by a long shot, but I just thought the whole chart aspect of this rivalry was worth mentioning.

7. Great Good Fine Ok — You’re The One For Me

I decided to include Great Good Fine Ok in this list this week even though this song/video aren’t exactly new. I posted a Fickle Friends single in last week’s New Music Wednesday & mentioned a Great Good Fine Ok remix to it. Little did I know that I was about to lose my mind finding out they were more than just remix DJ’s or producers, & that they had their own easy, groove-pop singles that I instantly fell in love with. I’m embarrassed to say that I’m late to the game, not knowing about them as long as I had. But I’m here to swallow my pride & share them with everyone & hope they touch someone else who has been unfortunate enough to not come across them yet. They’ve released some new singles with Panama Wedding & Orla Gartland that are well worth checking out & will be touring for the rest of the month. Check them out on Spotify & read up on them with this update from Vortex Magazine.

8. Clean Bandit — Tears feat. Louisa Johnson

Ok, I honestly wish they had kept the same tempo at the start of the song throughout the rest of it, but you’ll definitely find me bopping to the first minute of this song over & over again. Let’s talk about Louisa Johnson for a minute. If you haven’t watched her journey on X Factor…go youtube it RIGHT NOW. She’s phenomenal. That being said, I’m so overjoyed & entertained by her in “Tears.” It’s almost as if the music industry has been taken over by bands & DJs featuring artists in their songs instead of singing them themselves, but I’m not complaining with bands like Clean Bandit & The Chainsmokers giving up hit after hit that you know I’ll be blasting at any & every house party. I mean if I had house parties…that is.

9. Alison Wonderland — U Don’t Know

Four main reasons why I’m putting this song on the list this week. One, Alison Wonderland just made history performing a solo EDM set as a female artist at Electric Daisy Carnival in Vegas in June, a feat that surprisingly has never happened on the KineticFIELD main stage. Fellow Australian Anna Lunoe also performed that night, both making history. Two, the video for “U Don’t Know” features McLovin. Enough of a reason, right? Three, her stage name is Alison Wonderland. Why didn’t I think of that first? Lastly, it’s a bop & I do what I want on this blog. Boom.

10. Phantogram — You Don’t Get Me High Anymore

Phantogram has announced the release of their new album, Three. Peep the sexy, & sometimes icky, video release of the first single off of Three, “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” Can we talk about the fact that Sarah Barthel can pull of a jet black bob with bangs one day and a bleach blonde blunt cut the next? Get out of here with all the sexiness.