Elison Share Fruit Flies Single

I love the way the music Elison creates feels like its stuck between two worlds, which is often where I find myself as a listener. Their latest single toys with the more ethereal edges of dream pop, though only in the chorus, allowing the song’s clarity and pop affection to shine in the bubbly verses. You can’t stop tapping your feet, letting your toes dance inside your shoes, lost in the swirling hooks of the melodies here. Still, walking that fine line is where the band seem able to perfect their sound, flirting with listeners who love the dark corners just as much as we love an anthemic hook.

Roller Derby Share Say How Come Video

I covered a lot of ground at least year’s SXSW, and one of the band’s that absolutely knocked it out of the park was Germany’s Roller Derby. I’d been super high on the band before their show, but their latest single illustrates the group continuing to perfect their pop sound. Here you get the comforting tones from Philine Meyer’s voice, hanging out there almost like a more earnest Nico; it’s a great performance, and one that’s sure to captivate. Still, the band has refined their sound, allowing the chorus to represent the powerful punch, while the verses toy with the dreamier vibes. Hopefully this new single means we’ve got a new LP on the horizon.

Phantom Handshakes Drop Passport (How Far I Will Be)

Phantom Handshakes will be dropping their new latest LP in a little over a week or so; it’s shaping up to be even more special than the previous release. With this new single, the band highlight their ability to kind of maintain this melodic dreaminess, keeping the song tethered to that central piece, which in this case comes from Frederica’s voice. Where other acts might push to be overly explosive, or push the beat beyond the vocals, this duo hold it in place, allowing the listener space to let the mind wonder in and out of consciousness as they draw their ears towards the speaker. A Passport to Remain is released on November 3rd.

Phantom Handshakes Share Stuck in a Fantasy

I’m getting to a point in my life where I almost don’t even have to listen to a Phantom Handshakes tune, as I know it’s going to be right up my alley, and spin in my head for months. This new single might be my favorite piece, however, as the heavy chug of the guitars sets up the perfect contrast for Federica’s voice; she’s floating through this song like a whispering angel, hanging just on the cusp of the blossoming jangles and brooding chugs. It’s dream pop for those in favor of escapism, and listening in, your mind sets out on vacation, drifting towards euphoria. This new single also comes with great news that the band will be releasing A Passport to Remain, their new LP, this November.

Turquoise Share Le Bruit Single

Don’t often get asked to share tunes from Belgium, so when I got this new Turquoise single, I had to jump at the chance right? It just so happens that the song’s this dark bit of dreamy pop that suits my tastes, so an added bonus. After some quick synth stabs, the bass line begins to brood beneath the mixture, coated in these heavy vocal notes. But, when the song hits that chorus, it opens up a bit, like a ray of light sort of bursting through the cracks of the song. If you’re into it, this single comes with a more pensive bit of pop on the B-side, so be sure to stop by and check out our new Belgian friends.

Phantom Handshakes Drop The Flowery Man Single

One of my absolute favorite dream pop acts, Phantom Handshakes, has a new single out this week, and they’ve given us an advance listen we’d regret if we didn’t share with you immediately. Understated jingles hang on the horizon, waiting for the drums and synth washes to catch up, while Federica’s voice coos atop the mix. Once the opening verse kicks in, my focus immediately shifted to that vocal; it has this really unique way of hanging a tonal switch at the end of each syllable. There’s also a moment when she steps away from the sort of shimmering nature, and delivers this softer melodic vocal that perfectly slides into the mix. Toss that performance in with the classic twinkling guitar sound, and you’ve got yet another hit on your hands; I hope we get a follow up to No More Summer Songs real soon.

Blue Cove Share Thrive Single

I’ve written about Chicago’s Blue Cove previously, and with another single floating out there, I wanted to be sure it got some love from me. This track begins with a really nice vocal working over a lightly strummed guitar, setting you up for the drop in around the 50 second mark. It’s here that the song transcends the opening and begins to churn the music into something more akin to the dreamier realms of pop music we found on their first single. Throughout, the vocals continue to wash against your speakers, constantly hitting you with those hazy notes that encourage your midweek daydreams.

Plastic Mirror Share Tenterhooks Video

When you’re dropping Beach House and Cocteau Twins references, you’re generally going to get a listen from me. Such was the case when I came across this new track from Plastic Mirror, and I’m glad I took the time here, as the tune will surely reward those with similar tastes. For this track, I’m feeling more of the Beach House vibe, with the duo letting the song takes its own approach to the opens space the guitars and drums create. In the chorus, you get a nice hook, though it doesn’t feel too obvious, playing off the dreaminess just a bit more. It’s early, and the perfect place to indulge your dreams, so turn this tune on and enjoy.

Brand New Music from Phantom Handshakes

I was super in love with No More Summer Songs, the debut LP from Brooklyn’s Phantom Handshakes; they’ve just returned with this little pop delicacy to sneak into your day. Listening through, the musical elements feel really dense, but in a certain manner, they stay out of the way, letting Federica’s voice sparkle in the front of the mix. Having spent a lot of time with the band’s work, this might be her best vocal performance; she has masterful control over the melodic tones, letting them hang in the air as the guitars rise from behind to support. Flat out, the band rips. Plus, all digital sales have proceeds going to Emergency.

Blue Cove Share Here You Come Single

Chicago’s music scene has definitely been a hot place to find some great tunes the last few months, and here we are with this new track from Blue Cove. The band currently operate in the dream pop realm, toying with the more boisterous brand once the song hits the 2 minute mark; it explodes, almost seeming to raise the volume as the jangling guitar lines burst through your speakers. They never seem to lose sight of the hook, which inevitably seems to revolve around Steph Nikolas’ vocals. They’ve had a bunch of tunes float out, so keep your eyes peeled for news on an official release any day.

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