Orions Belte - Le Mans

Norway’s Orions Belte make the kind of music you could easily hear it soundtracking a casino montage in St. Tropez, or see Audrey Hepburn floating across a dance floor to. Their debut singe ‘Le Mans’ feels like Connan Mockasin has put it thought the production wringer after a night on the tiles with Orchestra Baobab and Henry Mancini, but there is a massive pop sensibility to it that gives you a cheeky wink throughout.

Saltwater Sun - The Wire

You can tell when the summer is getting nearer as all the sun drenched anthems start to appear. Saltwater Sun have thrown their hat in the ring with new single ‘The Wire’. Husky and sultry vocals from Jen Stearnes are the main event, but the euphoric guitar and glorious middle 8 come close. ‘The Wire’ has raised to bar for summer anthems to come. This Reading quintet mean business and if ‘The Wire’ is anything to go by they’ll be around for a while.

Son Lux - The Fool You Need

Lopsided beats and squelchy synths dominate Son Lux’s ‘The Fool You Need’. The video was directed by Jean-Paul Frenay and is based on the circle of life and death, and the daily struggles that go along with that. Its fitting as Ryan Lott has always written lyrics that are open to interpretation, so these images fit the song perfectly. “I am not letting go, no matter what you do”. After hearing, and see seeing, this nor are we.

Magic Wand - Realms

Since 2009 Dexy and Chris Valentine have been releasing music as Magic Wands. Their previous albums are full of hazy guitars and delicate vocals, post-punk vibes with goth leanings and a smattering of synth pop, in a nut shell skewed Pothic (goth pop). New single ‘Realms’ is the first offering from their new album ‘Abrakadabra’. ‘Realms’ is about tuning out the static of life and focusing on what’s important. This is something we can all relate to, but it never sounded this exquisite before.

Sangam-Felt Blue (Bruised Skies Remix)

Bruised Skies has been making elegant and airy electronic soundscapes since 2012. Sangam’s ‘Felt Blue’ now been given the Bruised Skies treatment. At times it is reminiscent of Vangelis’ 1970’s work. Minimal synths slowly intertwine, while amping a claustrophobic feeling. ‘Felt Blue’ feels like it inhabits a place between the speakers and you, just floating in the ether, before winding a way to your ears.

Chastity - Children

We all went through teenage angst and alienation, to varying degrees of severity. Brandon Williams channelled this create something that feels like what Faith No More would have sounded like if they had followed the hardcore route. Since hearing their original releases anticipation has grown for a Chastity long player and ‘Death Lust’ is almost upon us. The first offering is ‘Children’. This is two and a half minutes of crunching guitars and soaring vocals that make teenage apprehension and malaise sound how it feels.

Shy Layers - Gateway

The last time we heard from Shy Layers was 2016, as he’d just released his self titled debut album. It consisted of 10 tracks that somehow effortlessly mixed electronic pop music and yacht rock. It shouldn’t have worked, but did beautifully. Now JD Walsh has returned with his follow up ‘Midnight Marker’. Lead single ‘Gateway’ is full of everything that made his debut so engaging, clever hooks, hushed vocals and a sense of fun seldom heard in electronic music.

The Internet - Roll (Burbank Funk)

Its been three years since The Internet released their flawless album ‘Ego Death’. This was soul funk odyssey, that channelled Hip-Hop and R&B to create something that at times was danceable, but had a firm message. Now they’ve returned with new single Roll (Burbank Funk). It is three minutes of Cloud R&B. Hypnotic bass riffs pull you one way, infectious beats keep you marching on the spot, while stream of consciousness lyrics float about you. Ultimately this is a groove based monster that demands to be danced to. “Listen to your heart, Listen to your heart, What’s it saying?”. Its saying “This is great and I need more”