Empire of the Sun – “High and Low”: Par for the course for everyone’s favorite fantasy post-apocalyptic dream pop duo. Heavy on the synths, heavy on Luke Steele’s vocals. Vocals that are somehow monotone yet colorful at the same time. This lead single doesn’t pack the same punch as “Walking on a Dream” (though it sounds like a relative) or “Alive.” My prediction is this song will end up as a classic to make Empyreans (as they call their fanbase) go wild, but that this will make a nice “middle of the show” deep cut to play.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxAS75Bn6ek[/youtube]

PHANGS – “Cul De Sac”: I’m just gonna get right to it – “Cul De Sac” is nostalgic dream pop. Jake Germany made this song with a 90s childhood feel in mind, and as a kid who spent ages 4-18 on a cul de sac, this definitely gives me the feels. Even the spelling of the project name – PHANGS – recalls a time when folks liked using the word “phat” unironically. In all seriousness though, the feel is airy, carefree, and nice for the beginning of the school year. If PHANGS was around during Nickelodeon’s All That 15-20 years ago he would have been a musical guest.

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Lion Sphere – “Sisters”: Andrew Belle much? Lion Sphere is by no means ripping Belle off but the vocal similarity is uncanny. Beats and ethereal pop are the name of the game here, but everything is mixed such that the song doesn’t pack a huge punch, but rather seems to lurk in the background. This isn’t a function of turning the volume up or down. The textures of these beats are just kind of soft at the end of the day. If you are looking for something catchy from Berlin, Germany you’ll be pleased to happen upon Lion Sphere.

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