London-born and Vienna-based SOHN has been making big strides in recent years. 2014 saw the release of his debut album, Tremors, a subtle mix of soulful vocals and chopped up electronic beats, which earned him rave reviews across the board.
His single “Signal”, released in September on legendary independent label 4AD, is an understated mellow number, with mesmerising vocals and swells of perfectly sampled synths. The keyboards remain firmly in the background, while the drum machine beat gives the pace as the song builds up to a awesome finish.
The song comes with a video directed by and starring Milla Jovovich. For more info, go to Sohn’s website or Facebook. Buy on
With their subtle mix of alternative psychedelic lo-fi and dreamy chillwave, Danish duo Slowes create evocative pop soundscapes with an electronic twist. Jack Kilburn (vocals) and Anders Hamann (drums) formed Slowes in 2015, under the name More, and have since released two singles: “I Need You” and “Sweet”.
With a string of live performances scheduled over the summer, as well as a couple more singles expected before the end of the year, the boys are keeping busy ahead of the release of their highly anticipated debut EP in early 2017.
Back after a long break, Parisian dreampop wunderkind Anoraak (aka Frédéric Rivière) has just released the brand new Figure EP on his own imprint Endless Summer Music. The opening track, “We Lost”, is a collaboration with long-time friend Slow Shiver, a new project from Italian-born LA-based Valente Bertelli. It’s a nostalgic ballad which offers the perfect balance between Anoraak’s lush synth arpeggios and Slow Shiver’s delicate vocals over a steady beat.
The EP also includes the dreamy, synth-driven “Odds Are Good”, which was featured last year on the compilation Eskimo Recordings Presents: The Orange Collection. This finely crafted tune mixes moody bass lines with 80s-tinged synths and evocative vocals to create a perfect example of sophisticated and contemplative synth pop.
More info and music on Anoraak’s Facebook and SoundCloud. You can now buy the Figure EP on
“Made Of” was first recorded in 2012 by Swedish electro/house band Nause and became a major hit in Sweden. However the version featured here is a complete rework by the hand of fellow Swedish artist Viola Martinsson and it is a far cry from the danceable euro beat of the original song.
Viola Martinsson - Made Of
This dreamy, ethereal cover of “Made Of” was recorded specifically to be used as the music theme for the Volvo campaign “Made by People”. There is no official video for the song but you can watch the long version of the ad below.
Eclectic avant pop four piece Clock Opera emerged from London’s alternative scene in 2012 with a collection of euphoric synth-powered songs that earned them great reviews and hundreds of dedicated fans. After a three-year hiatus, they are returning with new music that explores the darker side of things in a journey through ghostly chords and profound emotion.
Clock Opera - In Memory
Single “In Memory” is the second sample of the quartet’s forthcoming sophomore album, to be released this summer. Over dark synths and slow-paced drums, singer and Clock Opera mastermind Guy Connelly is joined by Che Albrighton (drums / samples), Nic Nell (keys / samples) and Andy West (guitar / bass) who arrange their musical building blocks around his captivating falsetto vocals to create a song filled with recollections and nostalgia. Free download here.
