“Sweet November”, the latest release to come from SZA’s Z LP out tomorrow, has the instrumental and production couchings of a sticky middle 70’s mid-tempo burner from the reverb-drenched keybords to the high gain distorted guitar leads. That stylistic swerve provides a well-matched counterpoint for the thinner almost jazz-like body of SZA’s voice. We are into it.
SZA 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Enjoy Auckland-based HIGH HØØPS excellent French disco-inspired remix of another great Kiwi export BROODS‘ track for “Bridges”.
BROODS 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
The subterranean late-night pop of “Blue Break” is the title track from 19 year old UK singer Jamie Isaac‘s just released EP. “Blue Break” is driven by stabs of simple piano chords that filter down through the mix like tiny depth charges and provide the frame for Jamie’s deep-in-the-pa reverb-y vocal.
Jamie Isaac 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Moses Sumney, who’s spare loop machine-aided vocal sermon at Central Presbyterian was probably our favorite performance of all of SXSW, releases today “Mid-City Island” his debut EP. The five songs, which were recorded by Moses on a 1980’s-era four track recorder, are dotted with cascading loops of voice and deeply soulful and effective harmony which create the center on which Moses’ singular, boundless in its capabilities, lead vocal orbits about in a romantic ethereal whirl. The number of stunning moments “Mid-City Island” contains are numerous (that outro on “San Fran”, the harmonic voicings around “Plastic’s” instrumental) and we give the EP our highest recommendation.
Moses Sumney 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.5
Today’s dose of romantic Eurobeats-influenced late night pop takes the form of lauded UK producers Mom Tudie & Tom Misch’s stunning new collaboration “Waiting On You”.
Mom Tudie 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.5
“Levels” is the new track from NZ boy-girl duo She’s So Rad. The song, composed and produced under the duress of band member Jeremy Toy’s recovery from serious injuries resulting from an unprovoked physical attack, succeeds on its immediacy of melody and intense visceral emotive quality. A++
She’s So Rad (Soundcloudk)
Rating 8.2
The impressive Wolf Alice announce today second EP “Creature Songs” out May 23rd on Dirty Hit Records. The driving (but a thoughtfully composed sort of drive) “Moaning Lisa Smile” is the EP’s lead single and knocks it clear out in the big chorus, face melting, and must listen categories.
Wolf Alice (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Little to no information is out and available about new Aussie duo Klo consisting of cousins Simon Lam and Chole Kaul, “Make Me Wonder” is silky smooth; built around a minimalist beat and on point production choices the track has been on a constant repeat for a day or so now. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Klo 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.8
“Oh do our neighbors up north know how to to party. Grimm, a Toronto native and maestro of the DnB scene has paired up with fellow DJ/producer Rainer to create a new project. Their first offering is the is chilled house flip of PartyNextDoor’s “Persian Rugs”. With some more remixes and EP on the way, we will patiently for the next track from the duo. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Rainer + Grimm 
: (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.7
We interviewed Kyogi a handful of months ago and he has been pretty quiet up until recently. Putting a nice spin on London based Arkon Fly, the now 16 y/o wiz does this funky track justice. The single originally got a bit of love from BBC Radio 1 and Zane Lowe and now this remix should help its trajectory. Looking forward to more from both. Reviewed by Brian Litwin
Kyogi (Facebook)
Rating 8.3857
Munich-based LCAW re-styles “Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me” from London Grammar into 7 minutes 12 seconds of fresh and clear Balearic-infused night-time nu-disco.
LCAW 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
“Meet Me There” is the new single from ex-Portico Quartet artist Nick Mulvey. We loved the Brazilian/W. Hemisphere-influenced Cucurucu (Nick is actually an ethnomusicology graduate); While “Meet Me There” is rhythmically more straightforward – it shares the commonality of worldly soulful qualities in its melodies and sound. First Mind, which “Meet Me There” as well as “Cucurucu” are both excerpted from, is out May 12th.
Nick Mulvey (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
