Summer is rapidly coming at us and so are the tracks that have made this year, so far, a great one for music. Listen to some of our favorite tracks mostly new, but dates ones we love too. Hopefully, you find something new that you like. Enjoy!

1. Proud - (Sandy) Alex G

Proud is one of our favorites from (Sandy) Alex G’s (what he’s now officially going by so as not to get mixed up with another musician of the same name) May 19th album release “Rocket”. The single feels like a nod to Elliott Smith’s “Either/Or”, starting out as an encouraging love song with “I’m so proud of you/And everything that you do”, but takes a sharp, though casual turn in the second verse with “I wanna be fake like you/Walk around with rocks in my shoes”.

2. Chastity Belt - “Different Now”

This Chastity Belt single has been holding us over until the much anticipated record I Used To Spend So Much Time Alone comes out June 2nd! Check out the music video for “Different Now”! 

3. Gorillaz feat. D.R.A.M. - “Andromeda”

It’s been 6 years since hearing anything new from Gorillaz and we can’t help but dance to this new weird synthy beat. Weird synthy beats + D.R.A.M.’s voice is a collaboration we never knew we needed. 

4. Adult Mom - “Full Screen”

Possibly our favorite opening lyrics to a song ever “Do you full screen your porn?”, this lead single from new album Soft Spots is a reminder that we all grapple with complicated relationships and painful, confusing love, but you move on and things will work out the way they will work out. 

5. Globelamp - “Washington Moon”

Globelamp perfectly materializes our yearning for being in multiple places at a time. The mix of the simple guitar strumming and Elizabeth La Fey’s crooning reminds us of those nostalgic summer nights lying in a field of grass and looking up at the moon, wondering what else is out there for us. “I want a California sun and a Washington moon/ In the same room/At the same time”

 6. Todavia - “Fix Myself”

Todavia is Rhyan Riesgo’s dream-pop project and new album “Shyness” is perfect for those cool nights looking at neon lights and self reflection. This is one of our favorite tracks and every tiny element from the guitar, to the synth, and echoes of her voice come together to create an incredible wall of dreamy noise that runs right through your transparent body. The chorus is too catchy and too real “I can’t fix you/Til I fix myself”.

7. Perfume Genius - “Slip Away”

We are always excited for new Perfume Genius. The harmonies and driving drum beat makes you feel like you are running through a forest, jumping off a cliff, and upon falling, you start to fly. Check out the music video.

8. Girlpool - “It Gets More Blue”

Another great album release in the month of May is Girlpool’s Powerplant”. There's an element of muted California surf punk tones and gut wrenching lyrics about trying to make something work that just wasn’t meant to be. Check out the music video here.

9. LCD Soundsystem - “call the police”

James Murphy is back with LCD Soundsystem after 6 years of hiatus. The new track feels like a political critique, a tribute to David Bowie, and a new song to bang your head to, all in one.

10. HAIM - “Right Now”

Everyone collapsed on the spot and got back up to tweet about it when HAIM released a live video of the new track “Right Now” that was directed by the one and only Paul Thomas Anderson. 

11. Star Roving - Slowdive

This is Slowdive’s first track in over 20 years, the last one being in 1995. The shoegaze band is coming back full force with their new self titled album that was released last month. 

Bonus Track: “Twin Peaks Theme”  by Angelo Badalementi

It is happening again.

curated by richelle chen & kevin fernandez