Marcè Reazon – “Rain” ft. Euro League

This song begins with crickets, breezes into a distant woman’s vocal, and then breaks in with elegantly spoken rap. Marcè Reazon keeps a river running type flow in the producing of this song, and there is never a misstep or wrong note. Complete with piano appearances, fluid electronic effects, and some barely-noticeable-but-still-beautiful-singing in the background, Marcè really outdid himself with this one. The verses throughout the entire track are solid as well and help aid with the head bopping the song demands, but the real stand out in this song is the beat. Beauty has been defined, and you can find it in Marcè Reazon’s “Rain”. Get to know this Long Beach native now so you can say “I remember when” when he is gracing the covers of magazines and Billboard charts.

SZA – “Aftermath”

SZA’s “Aftermath” is what you get when you blend a cup of smoky haze, an ounce fresh lyrics, and a dash of rainbow sprinkles. This creamy goodness is exactly what you need after a huge meal, and just want to drift off to sleep. A head-nodding, lo-fi, soulful song about how “livin as a unicorn gets so lonely”, “Aftermath” is a hip-twistin’ slow ass jam.

But, before you listen to the song, I would like to leave you with the opening verse that SZA drops on you: “I apologize for waiting to tell you for so long that I am not human … / I am made of bacon, Fairy tales / pixie dust I don’t feel / I hung myself and didnt die i am omnipotent / I’m alive I’m not real I’m alive”. If that’s not next level, then I really am not sure what is.

Check out SZA’s “Aftermath” below, and get ready for her full length, S, in exactly one week from now.

Julian Cruz – “Get Yours”

Yes! Finally! Another XO affiliated Canadian to become obsessed with. May I present to you, Julian Cruz. Employing a low-key and chilled out producing style, complete with breathy lyrics and a guitar warbling in the background, Cruz created a great song to get completely lost in. “Get Yours” is his latest release since his mixtape Black Heart, and it is good to see that, if his other songs are anything like this, his sophomore effort will not disappoint! Check out Julian Cruz’s “Get Yours” below and prepare to fall in love:

Parlovr – “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely”

Parlovr’s first single off of their newest album, Kook Soul, is “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely”. If you are not familiar with Parlovr, they have a chilled out WAVVES enthusiasm and Diiv-esque musical vibe about them. “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely” not only has a great title, but also provides just the beach going tune I need on these 80+ degree days in Southern California.

Check out “You Only Want It ‘Cause You’re Lonely” below, and get ready to hit the beach (or at least the pool).

Dive – “How Long Have You Known”

A compressed vocal track, watery sounding guitars and an overall haunting sound comprise Dive’s newest track, “How Long Have You Known”. This track is perfect for a 60 degree day at the beach. How so? It has an icy feel to the musical tracks, and a windy, whispy vocal track that reminds me of ocean breeze flowing through hair (weird metaphor? What?). Okay, so I am not as good at describing rock music. But since I rarely slip into this genre and find something that I like, this track is significant enough to catch my eye (or ear, as the case may be).

Check it out below and let me know what you think of “How Long Have You Known”.

Gem Drops Two, a Dropping Gems Compilation

S.Maharba has been on my radar ever since hearing his remix of a WU LYF song. It’s been a while since hearing from him, but recently, he posted that he was included in the new Dropping Gems compilation, Gem Drops Two. The tracklist is killer, and I’ve spent a bit of time listening to the 320kbps digital versions. I can’t wait until my cassette arrives.

If you donate $15 or more, you can choose to get a cassette, which only exist in limited print of 150. All proceeds from sales go to the American Cancer Society, and this isn’t a bad way to give and feel charitable.

Essáy & Stumbleine – “Rhiannon”

Essáy, Stumbleine

Essáy, a producer from Germany and Stumbleine, from the UK, have collaborated on a track “Rhiannon” (and provide two remixes you can peep below as well). Both create wide open sound-scapes splashed with reverberated drum machine kicks. Too sensual to be lounge music (in a good way, of course) but definitely deserves a space with proper acoustics, it would fill the space perfectly. Listen to more from Essåy and Stumbleine to get your electronic/chillwave fix.

Essáy & Stumbleine “Rhiannon” + Remixes by Nocow and Owsey by ESSÁY.

Puro Instinct – Stilyagi

Local band Puro Instinct teamed up with another Los Angeles local Ariel Pink who worked with the band produce their debut album Headbangers in Ecstasy. After watching Drive recently, I feel like this is one of the songs the main character would listen to in his car while driving around LA. AMIRITE?!

James Blake x Bon Iver – “Fall Creek Boys Choir”

James Blake and Bon Iver collaborated and created this wonderful piece called “Fall Creek Boys Choir.” Here’s to hoping they work on a full album together… maybe with Kanye West? Okay, that’s bordering “wishful thinking.”

Washed Out – “Eyes Be Closed”

If there’s one thing I love about summer, it’s the lo-fi, synth-drenched, fuzzy-pop songs that come with it. Enter Washed Out (Ernest Greene) who got my attention with his track “Feel It All Around” (feat. Caroline Polachek) when it was featured on Adult Swim’s Singles Program. Today, I am so happy to post a new track from Sir Greene, “Eyes Be Closed”. This track will be featured on his forthcoming album Within And Without due to be released July 12th via Sup Pop.

Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed

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