PUBLIC – “Heartbeating”: My, my – how far this band has come. PUBLIC, formerly known as CROWN, have opened for Twenty One Pilots as teens and now they are touring veterans with the likes of Walk the Moon and Oh Honey. “Heartbeating” is the latest release from the trio, and they find themselves sharing a producer with Bad Suns. Rad! This is the strongest release from the band yet. This is the summer single you didn’t know you were waiting for.  Just listen already.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/198963082″ /]

J-Moula – “Living Life in a Dream”: Wanna hear a creative beat? Well hear ya go. The flow of J Moula and his friend Londyn ain’t half bad either. The song is simultaneously otherworldly and all too familiar. The verses come straight from real life experience and it’s cool to hear that vulnerability.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/143205627″ /]

The Splashing Pearls – “The Richman’s Arcade”: Dream pop meets folk is what comes to mind. It sounds like a couple of folks raised in the deep south decided on the fly to do a collaboration with Real Estate and the results are pleasing to the ears. While the press release’s claim of “fast rhythms” is debatable, the song definitely holds nothing back. The male vocals sound a bit like Colin Meloy at times, yet not plagiarized.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/198523644″  /]

Why We Run – “Comfortable Lie”: This is the first release from the Aussie band, which the band says is about “casting yourself adrift and leaving everything behind to start afresh.” An accurate statement, I think. The song is pensive, with hints of melancholy and hope interspersed. A very bittersweet, but mostly therapeutic vibe is portrayed throughout.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ANWaFItlR8[/youtube]

Roomful of Teeth – “High Done No Why To”: What’s interesting about Roomful of Teeth is they don’t portray themselves an acapella group. They choose the genre of “vocal” instead. This group is no Rockapella. No gimmicky dudes in rattails sing-asking “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” This is a very deliberately composed journey. You never quite know where they are going, but that’s alright. The adventure is a relaxing one.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-MBHevexj0[/youtube]

Skipping Girl Vinegar – “Dance Again”: This is indie alternative pop straight out of Melbourne, Australia. I feel sorry for the homeland of this band, as down under they are approaching the end of the summer season (actually, it’s fall there) while here I’m getting wind of the song just in time for the warm weather. I’m actually regretting my choice of long sleeve shirt on this 75 degree day in Ohio! Am I hearing steel drums? I sure hope so. It might just be cleverly played piano. But can I pitch this to my alternative station please?

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/192951702″ /]

WORKERZ – “Erase (feat. Jaw)”: Other than info that this song will be used in an upcoming Ubisoft computer game and name dropping a few guests not much has really been revealed about WORKERZ. I’m always in favor of discovering new tunes by whatever means possible though, even if it’s a vague press release that does the job. “Erase” is dark – almost too dark for a club. I could see this rolling during a title sequence for a horror flick or dystopian sci fi film. In spite of being repetitive, the song goes by pretty darn quick!