Lava La Rue

It's the time of year when i'd normally be putting together a list of artists to hunt down and check out during SXSW, but alas.  It's for the best.  Hopefully we'll be in a position to do this again in 2022.  Anyway, i'm still clicking on all manner of pop artist i've never heard of with new material in the ether, and a lot of the time, you can kind of just tell who would have been here to perform.  That's the vibe i'm getting from UK artist Lava La Rue and her mix of quirky pop, R&B, and hip-hop.  Check out "Magpie," the opening track from the new "BUTTER-FLY" EP below and order the record here from Marathon Artists.

Pond

Pond is the new psych rock project from former Tame Impala bassist Nick Allbrook.  New album "The Weather" is due in May on Marathon Artists, and if "Sweep Me Off My Feet" is any indication, Pond will be traversing the synthy, poppy waters of his former band's "Currents" LP.  That's a good thing.  Watch the video below.

Hazel English

Oakland by way of Australia artist Hazel English will be putting out her debut EP, "Never Going Home," in October via Marathon Artists.  Watch the lyric video for the synthy and jangly guitar pop of "I'm Fine" below.

Jagwar Ma

It's Independence Day, and we should all be outside, hanging out with friends, family, and loved ones, grilling food, eating too much, drinking too much, and handling dangerous explosives.  And what better way to soundtrack your day of patriotic shenanigans than with some psyched-out, bloodshot jams from Australian duo Jagwar Ma.  Listen to "The Throw" below and try not to hear the Mad-chester influence.  Get the "Howlin" LP from Marathon Artists.