Best Songs of the Week

Swear to God if I blabber on about Scandinavian pop one more time I'm going to implode. But there's no denying it—there's something going on over there. Sonically, Danish artist Kill J has some hip-hop influence and a darkly melodic vibe à la Purity Ring in "Phoenix." But she's also got an incredibly engaging vocal delivery and a crisp, cold production as slick as a steel countertop. Combined, this mix of the gratifying boom plus the intrigue of experimentation is another win for Scandinavian pop sensibility. *Implodes* - Confusion

With serenely smooth vocals and shimmering synths, the beginning of SAFIA's "Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues" opens like a lot of other delicate electronic songs out there today. What sets it apart though happens at around the 2 minute mark, where it suddenly switches up the style of the track with that pronounced "drop" standard in most dubbed out house offerings. It's an unexpected but pleasant change; one that in the hands of a lesser talented group may not have flowed so seamlessly but here it does, and impressively so. -Katie K

There's been an influx of "indie pop" in the larger stratosphere of music of late, a trend toward synthesizers and electronic drum beats. But Italian duo M+A take these trendy sonic signifiers and mix them with elements of funk and disco that brighten up the mood—even mixing in old-fashioned sounds of scratching and marching piano riff that roots this track firmly in the historical context that laid the groundwork for today's digital sounds. At turns lush, tropical and slinky, the vocal lines luxuriate in the beats and riffs, turning this track into one long spine-tingling delight. - harmonicait

If you've got a voice like young Jamie Isaac, then the less clutter you've got in your songs distracting from the vocals the better. Accompanied by a simple but beautiful piano melody Isaac really sells the loneliness that he's singing about, with the result sounding like something that should soundtrack panning shots of a desolate nuclear wasteland at the end of a film. - Constant Gardner

While many so-called indie R&B artists have followed the downtempo, atmospheric model set forth by e-savior the Weeknd, few have successfully made their bones on the psychedelic freakouts that occasionally creep into the music of Frank Ocean and Miguel (arguably the two commercial and creative bastions of the "genre"). To reduce Jack Magma to indie R&B would be unfair, but to be sure his music shares some of the genre's better qualities. The big exception: Magma digs dip into a bag of tricks and sounds that spans the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s to create something that feels both familiar and idiosyncratic. "Superpowers" begins as a synthy, 80-s leaning funk jam, but its second half burns with uncommon creative energy and decisions, blistering with guitar solos and a breathtaking drum break of an ending. Magma's first single "Cat Gotcha Tongue?!?" was a eyebrow-raising first step; "Superpowers" is proof that it wasn't an accident. - Jon Tanners

I distinctly remember the first time I drove playing Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not with my newly acquired driver's license. It was sunny, the windows were down, and I was blasting the damn album, feeling like real bad ass (note: I drove a '93 Toyota Corolla, and I lived in the most stereotypical suburban neighbourhood imaginable). No shits were given as I zipped around in my car, peeling through stop signs, going 60 km/hr in school zones. Arctic Monkeys just has this effect on me, where I think I'm this larger-than-life, James Dean-type rebel character, even though I am actually the furthest thing from it. And it feels good. The band does it again with "Do I Wanna Know?" sparking fear for what may happen when their pending album gets released, as who knows what sort of badassery I might engage in? (Rolling through school zones could get really shifty, you know?) - Joyce

I'll admit, I'm a sucker for Mikky Ekko. His voice is the perfect blend of old soul and new-age pop that's seamlessly able to depict a whole range of emotions, convincing in each one. His latest track, "Kids" is no exception. The nostalgia-inducing song has all the right ingredients for a great pop anthem: catchy percussion and an undeniable hook that's neatly tied together with Mikky's charming vocals. I wouldn't be surprised at all to hear this on an upcoming film soundtrack. - Katie K

After embarking on his own electro-pop solo projects, Will Sheff has returned to the tributaries of his primary project Okkervil River, and the initial single "It Was My Season" promises that their seventh record will be a detail-oriented fanfare of old organs and rollicking drums. Above the mess and mire of the tracks strings and dreamy plinks, Sheff's voice wails like a forgotten child, chronicling the love and loss that inhabits life, regardless of the weather. Thankfully, Okkervil River will flood our banks with their seventh studio album The Silver Gymnasium this September, and if this track is a taste, it will be a welcome wash. - harmonicait

Gesaffelstein had the best... week... ever. How does someone go from being a "who the fuck is THAT" on Yeezus credits to then putting out an awesome single on Skrillex's OWSLA imprint?! He killed Internets life on two different levels and UOENO. This techno-charged banger does just that: BANGS. The video is even more twisted, but this is one of those tracks that, if you're driving while it's on, you might accelerate a bit more. Maybe too much. No slick roads, skater. - Khal

When Two Inch Punch takes on a remix, he always turns it into a clear and recognisable Two Inch Punch song, and this Portugal. The Man remix is no different. The British producer has made some brilliantly futuristic R&B with the likes of Mikky Ekko and Javeon McCarthy, and for this edit he ramps up the glitz and glitter with funky, party-ready results.- Constant Gardner

I'm an odd duck, I know this. Can't help it. While I was enamored by Kanye West's Yeezus leaking last week, I knew I was the only asshole saying "wait, Swindle's album drops next week, too!" Released on Mala's Deep Medi Musick imprint, Swindle brought the bass music scene to its knees with this set, and "Start Me Up" is one of the more anthemic tunes of the lot. The big draw is the loop that kicks off in the intro that Swindle slyly revisits throughout the track before dipping into some thumping, undeniable beats. Catch me in the corner eyes closed to this. - Khal

You'd think that at some point, I'd get tired of Miguel's "Adorn." But nope, here I am, writing about Miguel again. While Star Slinger's remix of the sexy single isn't as sleek and seductive, the bubbly rework makes it far more appropriate for you to play in broad daylight. I mean, I couldn't even begin to count the times I made my friends think that I just wanted to seduce them, when I just wanted to introduce them to Miguel. So thank you, Star Slinger, for saving me from any more awkward conversations about how I need to keep it in my pants. - Joyce

With an aching, sweet voice and a knack for poignant phrasing, Vicktor Taiwo possesses the sort of talent that doesn't require gimmicks to connect. While our introduction to his music, the excellent "Digital Kids," leaned on modern vocal and production techniques, "Castles" is a bit more old-fashioned, riding a breezy soul-funk groove that wouldn't sound out of place in the early 90s. It's Taiwo's vocal tone and particular lyrics--a take on wooing a potential lover, played up with beautiful, unique images and lines that paint it almost as the anti-Zedd ("clarity escapes me/I'm with you" opens the second verse)--that sell "Castles," elevating it well above potential retread. - Jon Tanners

Compared to his intricate electronic work on remixes, edits, and originals, Ta-ku's new album Dowhatyouleave is strikingly simple. It's straight hip-hop production in the style of Dilla and Madlib, but what's most striking about it is not the simplicity, but the potency. "Boom" is only a little over a minute long, but it's arranged perfectly, and that dulled thump of the bass drum sates a basic hunger that isn't satisfied by most of today's busy soundscapes. - Confusion