Judah and the Lion – “Going to Mars”: If ever it were possible for a folky band to sound spacey, Judah and the Lion have mastered it. You probably already know about the genre fusion this Nashville group has become so adept at pulling, but the release of “Going to Mars” proves why they deserve a slot on the latest iteration of Twenty One Pilots’ Emotional Roadshow tour. I fully expect a Tyler Joseph guest spot on their next record. Also, the song seems to build upon a foundation that Imagine Dragons laid – but expounds upon it more creatively than they might. Just a hunch, though.

Mister Moon – “Peer”: Allow us to bring to your attention a new project from north central Ohio, though. Mister Moon brings to the table a brand of dark dreamy pop rock with an ever so slight tinge of angst injected into the tunes. This is especially true in the band’s most recent single, titled “Peer.” It’s the sort of sound that would be suited for a dark venue late at night. Who is Mister Moon anyway? The project seems to thrive under a more ambiguous persona, and the mystery adds an aura to the song as assertive as the bass grooves that march on in “Peer.” I enjoy the fact that Mister Moon is taking on elements of various trends on the fringe of alternative pop music, yet chooses to create their own celestial path that is paradoxically minimalist and lush.

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Ledges – “Teenage Daydream”: Many, many bands are chasing after an ambient pop sound that is accessible to the top 40 audience. It’s a trendy sound, and hitting on a song that is not only catchy but distinct and memorable is quickly becoming a more elusive goal. Ledges have shown that they are up to the challenge with the release of “Teenage Daydream”, which has a soaring chorus and is just vibe-y enough to make them stand out from the crowd of Walk the Moon imitators. This band isn’t imitating anyone.

Carl Louis – “Come With Me (featuring Frøder)”: Want EDM with a lot of synth? And bonus airy vocals that hail from Sweden? Well here ya go. The result of all these elements is something that lands squarely between M83 and Daft Punk. I want to fly back down to south Florida where I was last week and blast this track with the windows down. I bet the effect would be euphoric. Or better yet – head full speed down the Intracoastal Waterway in a motorboat with this jamming.

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