Twisted Wires - Struck Twice

I don't know too much about dancey synth rock band Twisted Wires, though i have certainly enjoyed all of the infrequent tracks i've heard from the part-Houston/part-LA four-piece that Italians Do It Better has released over the last half decade.  The band's latest is the smooth and silky dance jam "Struck Twice."  Listen below and download here.

Wojciech Golczewski

Wojciech Golczewski is a Polish film score composer and musician, who most notably provided the soundtrack to the excellent throwback horror film "We Are Still Here" (definitely worth checking out if you're a horror nut like me).  Earlier this year, the artist released an album of original material inspired by films called "Reality Check," and it's great, synthy fun.  Currently, you can grab it digitally or on cassette over here, but a vinyl version will be available on Mondo tomorrow.  In the meantime, listen to album opener "The Puppets Dream" below.

Dylan Cameron

As far as groovy electronic, experimental, and synth pop music goes, you really can't go wrong with the slate of artists on Holodeck Records.  The label's latest offering comes from Austin musician Dylan Cameron and his debut LP, "Infinite Floor."  Cameron crafts a kind of organic electronic music, taking bits of dub, house, and ethereal ambience to make a sound that feels fluid and tangible.  Listen to "Forest Drone" below.

RIP Gene Wilder

Boo 2016!  Just, boo!  There goes a large chunk of my childhood.  RIP Gene Wilder.

Cold Cave

I dig that Wes Eisold's post-punk project Cold Cave pretty much just releases whatever he wants, in any kind of format he wants, eschewing traditional full-length albums (since 2011) in favor of one of singles, videos, and the like.  On September 9th, Cold Cave will be releasing the "The Idea of Love" b/w "Rue the Day" picture-disc 7" via Heartworm.  Watch the video for the A-side below.

Blood Orange

It's been out for a couple of months, and somehow i failed to give it any attention, but i gotta say i'm digging on "Augustine," a single from Blood Orange's new album "Freetown Sound."  It's wonderfully, deliriously 80's-inspired, like some kind of synthy, dreampop B-side Michael Jackson recorded in an alternate timeline.  Watch the video below and grab the record from Domino.

Tim Heidecker - I Am A Cuck

On his latest song, "I Am A Cuck," comedian Tim Heidecker goes the political comedy route, parodying Simon and Garfunkel's "I Am A Rock" to skewer the "alt-right," the steaming, festering side of the political right whose views are rooted in racism, misogyny, and white nationalism.  And it's pretty effective, using that movement's buzzwords and insults, and spitting them right back at them.  Seriously though, fuck those guys.  Listen below.

Mick Jenkins and BADBADNOTGOOD

Chicago hip-hop artist Mick Jenkins is readying his debut LP, "The Healing Component," for release next month on Free Nation, a release that probably would have gotten lost in the shuffle for me, if not for the fact that the rapper/singer features Toronto jazz band BADBADNOTGOOD on the haunting and moving soulful jam, "Drowning."  The slave narrative and visuals that accompany the video definitely adds to that moving effect.  Check it out below.

Las Kellies

Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean we can't still jam on some sun-drenched and deliciously dreamy garage rock.  Argentinian female three-piece Las Kellies have a new record out in October on Fire Records called "Friends & Lovers," and going by first single "Summer Breeze," we're looking at a wonderful mix of garage rock fuzz, psychedelic pop, and reverby, shoegazey luster.  I'm digging on it pretty hard right now.  Listen to and watch the bleary-eyed 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.

S U R V I V E - Wardenclyffe

Here's another new one from Austin synth band S U R V I V E's upcoming new album "RR7349" LP.  "Wardenclyffe" sounds ominous and menacing and should excite the band's burgeoning fan base.  Listen below and look for the record September 30th from Relapse.

Chromatics - Dear Tommy

Remember back when "Dear Tommy," the new and upcoming album from Chromatics was supposed to be released in time for Valentine's Day...of 2015?  Well, a year and half later and some teases later, the band just released the title track and a late 70's/early 80's horror movie-styled video to accompany it.  They also shared a full 17-song tracklist for the record, so maybe we'll be getting soon.  Hopefully.  If Frank Ocean can do it, these guys can too.  Maybe.  Fingers Crossed.  Watch and listen below and keep an eye on Italians Do It Better for any further updates.

Pallbearer cover Type O Negative

The excellent Arkansas doom metal band Pallbearer have a new EP, "Fear and Fury," out on Profound Lore, and the three track album closes with an amazing and all out banging cover of Type O Negative's "Love You to Death."  Gotta credit my friend Brian on the heads up as i'll be jamming this one for the rest of the day.  Download here, pre-order the vinyl here, and listen below.

Angel Olsen - Sister

Angel Olsen has released another single and video for her upcoming "My Woman" LP, due the first week of September on Jagjaguwar.  "Sister" is a sprawling and beautiful lament, and like the two singles that preceded it, has me super stoked for this new record.  Watch and listen below.

No Age - Separation

Hooray!  New music from No Age!  It's been a while.  Listen to "Separation" below and be on the lookout for the "Separation" 7" the band is self-releasing next month.

Cory Hanson

Wand's Cory Hanson is embarking on a solo project, this November's "The Unborn Capitalist from Limbo" on Drag City.  Dropping the psych stomp and crunch that Wand is known for if favor of more lush and haunting psych-folk, the new record seems set to explore a different side of the artist...and it's damn pretty.  Listen to "Ordinary People" below.

Frank Ocean

Okay, so yesterday i lamented about not listening or buzzing about any of the new Frank Ocean music popping up on the web over the last three days due to my (maybe unfounded, but probably not) distaste for all things Apple.  But now, we've had two new albums (one official and one not)...and goddamnit, they're so good.   I'm not even really an R&B guy, but Ocean's stuff just seems to transcend genre.  So, i guess i'll figure a way out to listen to both "Endless" and "Blonde" via other channels and patiently wait for a vinyl release.  But in the meantime, check out the NSFW video for "Nikes" below.

Helena Deland

As much as i'd like to partake in the Frank Ocean bonanza that's going on online on the internet right now, i'm abstaining since the only way to hear/see all that stuff is via Apple Music...and i refuse to succumb to the Steve Jobs machine.  No Apple.  No iTunes.  No iPhone.  (Maybe i have an iPad, but it was gift, damn it.)  It's overrated, underwhelming, monopolistic bullshit, and i want no part of it.  SO, let's all drift away on some wonderfully lush and beautiful dreampop from Montreal artist Helena Deland.  "Baby," from the new "Drawing Room" EP is a haunting and gorgeous piece of smoky pop music, the perfect selection to begin a dreary, rainy Saturday morning...or for just about anywhere or anytime else too.  Listen below and get the EP here.

The Tyde featuring Bernard Butler

The Tyde is the long dormant project of Beachwood Sparks member Darren Rademaker.  The upcoming "Darren 4," the first album in a decade or so features former Suede lead guitarist Bernard Butler on guitar and backing vocals on the single, "The Curse in Reverse."  It all sounds like the lush and hazy psychedelic pop we would have heard from members of Elephant 6 back in the day, and that's just lovely.  Listen below and pre-order the record from Spiritual Pajamas.

Scott Walker - The Childhood of a Leader

I don't know anything about the new film "The Childhood of a Leader," except that it's based on a short story by Jean-Paul Sartre and that the legendary Scott Walker provides the score.  I'm most interested in that last part, an epic section of music made by a 74-piece orchestra.  Listen to "Run" below and get the record from 4AD tomorrow.

The Body - The Myth Arc

Probably my favorite album of the year, experimental metal duo The Body's "No One Deserves Happiness" continues to make it into almost daily rotation.  Check out the uneasy new video for album closer "Myth of Arc" below, directed by Thou's Mitch Wells and be sure to grab the record from Thrill Jockey.

Danny Brown - Pneumonia

Dark, grimy, and paranoid, Detroit rapper Danny Brown's latest, "Pneumonia," features an assist from Schoolboy Q and stark, ugly, almost sinister production from Evian Christ.  Sign me up.  Listen below and look for the upcoming "Atrocity Exhibition" LP from Warp in September.

GosT

It's overcast and rainy here in Austin, and has been for a few days now, so here's some Satan-indebted retro-techno from synth artist GosT.  The artist's upcoming "Non Paradisi" LP is due at the end of September from Blood Music, but in the meantime, check out the delirious and horror-fueled video for "Maleficarum" below.

Stranger Things soundtrack

It's been a month, and i'm still pretty obsessed with all things "Stranger Things," the soundtrack in particular.  The whole thing is being released in two volumes, part one of which came out digitally and part two following on Friday this week.  Lakeshore will be releasing Kyle Dixon's and Michael Stein's score on CD next month, and vinyl versions should follow after.  If you haven't checked the music or the show out yet, get cracking.  They're both fantastic.  Listen to "She'll Kill You" below.

Weyes Blood

I've been following the smoky, hushed and haunting, and dreamy career of former Jackio-O-Motherfucker member Natalie Mering, aka Weyes Blood, ever since 2011's beautiful and droney "The Outside Room," and the artist manages to be just as intoxicating with every subsequent release.  New album "Front Row Seat to Earth" is out in October on Mexican Summer, but you can and should watch the video for first single "Seven Words" below.

Ode To The Explorers

Parsec is a new record label out of Italy that specializes in experimental, ambient, and deep house electronic music.  Their introductory EP, "Ode To The Explorers" features four artists i had never heard of (Berserk, VDG, Ablaze, and buMMer respectively) who offer up some tunes inspired by the Apollo 11 mission.  Listen below.

King Dude

Fresh off of a split single with the legendary Julee Cruise, King Dude is prepping a new album of gothy, rockabilly-tinged Americana called "Sex."  Listen to album opener "Holy Christos," featuring Foie Gras on backing vocals below, and pre-order the record from Not Just Religious Music.

Twin Peaks

Over two years in the making, the good folks at Mondo/Death Waltz finally unveil their vinyl reissue of Angelo Badalamenti's score for David Lynch's "Twin Peaks."  This is one of the quintessential soundtracks out there, and wholly worth your time and cash.  Get it here and listen to the "Twin Peaks Theme" below.

Thee Oh Sees

On Friday, we get a new album from garage rock stalwarts Thee Oh Sees.  The oddly titled "A Weird Exits" finds the band doing what they do so well, raucous garage jams with just the right amount of psychedelic flair.  Listen to the wonderfully dreamy "The Axis" below and get the record from Castle Face.

Martyn Lenoble and Christian Eigner cover David Bowie

It's been seven months since we lost David Bowie, and apparently i'm not the only one who still hasn't gotten over it.  Martyn Lenoble (Porno For Pyros) and Christian Eigner just released a cover of Bowie's "Cat People (Putting Out Fire) featuring crusty, old Mark Lanegan on lead vocals and Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan on backing vocals.  It's a divine slow burn, and proceeds for the single benefit the American Liver Foundation.  Listen below.

Grimes - Medieval Warfare

"Suicide Squad" came out last week, and it's supposed to be one big hot mess, but at least it's got a pretty killer new jam from Grimes on the soundtrack.  Listen to "Medieval Warfare" below.

Brain Tentacles

Because everyone should listen to something completely bonkers sometimes, here's "Kingda Ka," the opening track from Chicago's mind melting prog-jazz-metal experimenters Brain Tentacles upcoming self-titled album.  Get it from Relapse and enjoy.

Katy Goodman and Greta Morgan cover The Replacements

Katy Goodman (whom i've had a crush on for years, but it's okay because my wife does too) and Greta Morgan (whom i've never heard of, but it's okay because she seems like she's probably pretty cool too) made a covers record together called "Take It, It's Yours," where the cover songs from all kinds of bands like The Wipers and The Misfits.  They also took on one of my favorite songs by The Replacements.  "Bastards of Young" was a great entry point for me for Paul Westerberg and The Replacements, and the ladies' dreamy pop version is great entry point for their collaborative record as well.  Listen below and get the record later this month from Polyvinyl.

Myrkur

Later this month, Relapse will be releasing a live album from one-woman black metal artist Myrkur.  "Mausoleum" features stripped down, acoustic reinterpretations of songs featuring a haunting choir and recorded in the historic Emanuel Vigeland Mausoleum in Oslo, Norway.  It's awesome, and transcendent, and you should totally buy it.  Yeah, you.  Listen to "Jeg er Guden, I er Tjenerne" below.

BADBADNOTGOOD - Timewave Zero

Toronto jazz band BADBADNOTGOOD have already made one of my favorite albums of the year with last month's release of "IV," and they've still got more music up their collective sleeves.  Out this week on Innovative Leisure is a new 7" from the band featuring two tracks that didn't make the album.  Listen to the sci-fi sounding "Timewave Zero" below and get the record here.

Katie Gately

Katie Gately's music can be particularly hard to describe or pin down.  Is it electronic?  Sure.  Is it dancey?  It can be.  Is it weird?  You betcha.  I sometimes find myself wondering what manner of alien or imaginary woodland creature created these often bizarro, warped pop tracks.  Listen to "Tuck" below, taken from Gately's upcoming debut, full-length LP, "Color," out later this year on Tri Angle.

Drowse

Portland artist Drowse makes droney, noisey, shoegazey music that sounds like it was recorded in equal parts in some dark forest in the middle of the night and in a tunnel...and i mean that in the best way possible.  The new "Memory Bed" EP is out today.  Listen to the whole thing below and grab it here.

Alcest

French metal band Alcest are very adept at challenging any preconceived notions as to what metal music is supposed to be, often eschewing traditional sounds or elements, and embracing whatever style they want to in order to create the kind of music they want to.  I think that's admirable, even if it can piss off purists or leave old fans behind.  Follow your muse.  Anyway, Alcest has a new album, "Kodama," coming out in September on Prophecy, and this Japanese influenced record finds the band taking many of the shoegaze elements they played with on 2014's "Shelter" and pushing them back into a darker, more metal context.  Listen to "Oiseaux de Proie" below.

Warpaint - New Song

Looks like we've got a new song, and an upcoming new album, from the dreamy LA four-piece Warpaint called, adequately enough, "New Song."  On the track, the ladies go full on summer vibes, crafting a piece of warm and synthy dance pop to sweat and move to.  Listen below and be on the lookout for the "Heads Up" LP from Rough Trade in September.

Carla dal Forno

I first came across the Berlin by way of Melbourne musician Carla dal Forno with her smoky, experimental, and sometimes bleak work on projects like Tarcar and F ingers.  Heavy, heady, atmospheric stuff to be sure, and now the artist is prepping her debut album under her own name, the upcoming "You Know What It's Like" coming soon on Blackest Ever Black.  Watch the video for "What You Gonna Do Now?" below.

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Skeleton Tree

Any kind of release from Nick Cave is always an event in and of itself, but the upcoming new album from The Bad Seeds, September's "Skeleton Tree," has an accompanying film called "One More Time with Feeling" that will be released the night before the album, and will be the first place you can hear the new songs.  This will be the first new music from Cave since losing his son last year, and i feel that the record may be an emotionally tough listen, for my ears anyway.  Watch the trailer for the movie/record below and pre-order the album here.

Ex-Cult - Summer of Fear

It's always good to get new music from Memphis' Ex-Cult, and the crunchy and paranoid "Summer of Fear" does not disappoint.  Listen below and get the upcoming 7" of the same name in a couple of weeks from Famous Class Records.