MØ’s run will not stop. “Waste of Time” is the latest in her unblemished record of worldbeating electro-pop tunes. It’s MØ, no doubt, but “Waste of Time”‘s engine is gassed up on a few different types of sounds; namely some very sultry guitar leads and stuttering hip hop-schooled drums. Right, as if you need any more from us, anyway, it’s MØ, get to it.
MØ 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Freddie Dickson. The name of West Londoner Freddie Dickson we project will line the coffers of Critics’ Bests of Lists in 2013 and beyond. “The End” is the sort of confidently-written accomplished dark pop that Mercury Prize nominations are made of (really). “Shut Us Down,” the debut four-track EP from Freddie Dickson, is due May 20th.
Freddie Dickson – The EndFreddie Dickson 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
On new track “Games”, Munich’s Claire distill through neatly-constructed synth pop an interesting mix of sounds and influences for the genre. Touchstones from house, to urban music, to more traditional pop are all assembled here, and done so in a way that’s both different (a standout song in a currently crowded genre) and tuneful (there are three of four melodies here that could be a chorus.) A++
Claire 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
The anticipated sophomore album from East-London quintet Chapel Club is titled Good Together. The band’s return welcomes their appetite for innovative pop music. Although, frontman Lewis Bowman’s baritone and the band’s guitars have been checked-in for a medley of analog synthesizers and samples. Good Together was recorded at a self-built studio in Los Angeles with producer Tom Biller and you can almost feel the disco psychedlia glitz of Hollywood’s recent decades throughout the band’s exploration of pop on the album. Chapel Club have also released a new video for their next single, “Shy.” Sample both the album and video below and be sure to pick up a copy of Good Together on June 3rd via Ignition Records.
Chapel Club: 
(Facebook)
Straight from the soundboard of Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show to yr B3 earphones; it’s the new Katy B, the 90’s house-ref’ing “What Love Is Made Of” and it is amazing.
Katy B (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Perfect indie pop (or whatever iteration you want to call it) is a very popular phrase in the music blogosphere. That much we know. But really, truly, and actually, Swedish band NONONO’s “Down Under” is that perfect indie pop record and certainly one of the best tracks of the year.
NONONO 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.7
Recent signees to some dude called Paul Epworth’s Wolf Tone label, Glass Animals impress with possibly the band’s strongest track to date; the slow motion lurch-groove of “Black Mambo”. Impeccably arranged (those little bits of strings and keyboard bloops seem to ebb in and out of the track in only the most perfect of places), “Black Mambo” will draw you in immediately with it’s robust arsenal of hooky melodies and instrumentals. Not to miss.
Glass Animals (Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Oh lawd. Rudimental collaborator (“Not Giving In” “Feel the Love”) John Newman’s new (& debut solo single) “Love Me Again” is very impressive indeed. While not straying too far from a Rudimental-esque sound (not that’s really a bad thing), Newman brings an urgency and punch to the song that makes the track and his vocal performance both very very believable. (It’s like Mr. Newman is singing directly to YOU directly into YOUR headphones with each and every spin of the track. He needs YOU to listen.). We expect nothing less than for “Love Me Again” to absolutely smash the UK charts this summer. Awesome.
John Newman (Facebook)
Rating 8.6
“Last Forgiven” is a new favorite. The track comes from NYC based artist Luke Rathborne in anticipation of his forthcoming LP, SOFT, which is set for release July 3rd. The album was produced by Emery Dobyns and Albert Hammond Jr. While you can definitely hear Hammond Jr’s arrangement experience on some vertical qualities in “Last Forgiven”, more than that, “Last Forgiven” has a timbre that ushers in the sound of summer and all the menacing fun in life that’s yet to come. Rathborne performs May 14th in New York City at Glasslands, be there.
Rathborne – Last ForgivenRathborne 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
You might not know it yet but you (will) know Joe Janiak. Other than his vocal and co-write feature on Bondax’s mega track “Gold,” Janiak apparently has his own arsenal of pop tracks to complement those serious vocals chops. “Steel Toe Boots” ‘fires at will’ with a patient and well conducted arrangement of sparse guitar and piano work, atmospheric effects, beats… and that voice, seriously check out that voice! Get familiar with Joe Janiak and grab a free download of “Steel Toe Boots” below.
Joe Janiak (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Joel Compass shares his thoughts about things “Fucked Up” with this latest track taken from his forthcoming Astronaut EP. The recently Zane Lowe minted ‘Hottest In The World’ track doesn’t fall short. With its eye clearly set on the r&b pop sound of tomorrow, “Fucked Up” is something of a jam.
Joel Compass (soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
