Radio Atlantis – “True Colors”: As soon as I saw in the press release that this artist makes deep house and is endorsed by AFROPUNK I was intrigued. Though my political views aren’t often in line with AFROPUNK’s core audience, such and endorsement usually means that the artist is making important music. This is a summer tune to bump in your car when you’re on your way home from that party or event you just left and you’re kind of winding down but still coming down from that high of a night well spent. Pop, deep house, and a bit of dream pop all rolled into one.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273462734″ /]

ERIC13 – “Devil’s Highway”: Rock and roll have been making light of the dark side pretty much as long as it has been a genre, and this feel good tune falls somewhere on this spectrum. The song by the Combichrist member basically takes a classic rock sound and adds a bit of an industrial twist to it. As mentioned in the press release, the single features Ashley Dzerigian (Filter, Ceelo Green, Adam Lambert) on bass and Chris Reeve (Filter, session work for Combichrist) on drums. As someone who loved Filter’s Title of Record years ago, I can definitely appreciate this.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xAI2nCUV0U[/youtube]

The CMDWN – “Ro$es”: The rise of alt-R&B continues in America with THE CMDWN from Provo, Utah. When have you heard of a band from Provo getting ready to make waves? Now you have. Some may find the lyrics to this song a bit cutesy, but the production is on point and the melodies are contagious.  Their debut EP titled Doubt releases August 19th. Some allege you can hear a bit of Banks, The Weeknd, The Neighbourhood, and even Bring Me the Horizon on this track. Can you hear those influences?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR_GEWKBfRU[/youtube]

Velvet Bow – “Lily Fuzz”: It’s not too often that we choose to write about a band from the land down under that isn’t already making waves in the States, but Velvet Bow commands attention with their single “Lily Fuzz.” The band from the Victorian Coast cheerfully declares in the bridge that “I’ve got nothing to tell you” in their slice of garage pop that ought to appeal to fans of Courtney Barnett, All Dogs, and perhaps even the Strokes. You’ve heard this sound a lot before, but you can’t deny a catchy tune when you hear it.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271195808″/]

 

Beach Slang – “Punks in a Dive Bar”: Who woulda thunk that Beach Slang would be back so soon with another record? With single “Punks in a Dive Bar” they continue their takeover of the the sunny punk realm. The record, titled A Loud Bash of Teenage Feelings, is as much about raw angst as it is about perseverance. “Punks in a Dive Bar” may well be the title of a set up of an improv skit as well, but Beach Slang is unapologetically making the music they want after nearly breaking up last year. This is a fun song and a good refresher or intro to this mentality.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273334148″ /]