Elke is back with her sophomore record Divine Urge, which sees Paramore’s Zac Farro return to take on percussion duties while songwriter Jake McMullen joins Kayla Graninger (Elke) on co-production duty. The first single from the record, ‘Enchanté,’ lands somewhere between the blog-era synth-led quirkiness of Chairlift and YACHT and the maximalist radio pop of that same period, with jarring switches in vibe and tempo helping to relay the song’s message regarding the divides between humankind, nature, and technology. “Nature works together with what’s fighting against it without the opponent knowing. It finds a way to keep growing by adapting.” Graninger philosophizes while introducing the track’s Bérénice Bear Eveno–directed video, which sees the songwriter embodying the aforementioned factions of mankind, technology, and the natural world. “This is why no matter how much we develop as a society, we will always have to return to nature—it is wiser than us and cannot be controlled. Sometimes we as people wish to possess the earth to feel alive, but nature teaches us the opposite, to just be alive is to possess the nature inside us.” [via FLOOD]

Enigmatic alt-pop artist Tlya X An continues her journey with the release of her new hyper-pop single, ‘Ninja’. Following the acclaimed ‘Mi Mind Unknown,’ Tlya once again takes the reins as director and editor, collaborating with Oliver Whitehouse to deliver a deliciously quirky music video alongside the track. Carried by a driving drumbeat and Tlya X An’s unique, magnetic vocals, this latest offering masterfully blends hyperpop, R&B, and glitchy electronica. Channelling the pulsating basslines of M.I.A., Charli XCX’s glossy allure and a touch of Grimes’ eccentric genius, ‘Ninja’ is another vibrant portal into Tlya’s unique musical landscape. A heartfelt ode to her sister, born from a reflective London getaway, ‘Ninja’ celebrates their sisterhood, shared joys, and challenges. Yet, the accompanying visual is a mind-bending departure. Directed and edited by Tlya and filmed by Oliver Whitehouse, the video is a surreal dreamscape featuring heart-headed dancers, edgy choreography and a blood-drinking drummer (Lawi Anywar). Inspired by the song’s lyric “Even dreams of hell can be beautiful” from Joe Dispenza’s ‘Becoming Supernatural,’ the video presents a daring visual interpretation of the idea. It conveys the notion that life, in all its complexity, is a work of art and even in the face of adversity, can be seen as a masterpiece. This striking juxtaposition of the song’s intimate message and the video’s provocative imagery showcases Tlya’s artistic range, proving she’s as fearless a visionary as she is a musical virtuoso. “I wanted to keep the video simple inspired by the production and use a white studio,” says Tlya X An of the video “The driving forces of the song are the drum beat and the vocals which have a little choreography that me and my dancers have been perfecting over time mainly for my live shows. The original moves came to me from the beginning naturally before I even had dancers working with me and over time evolved to something more concrete which you can see in the video.”

Surely Shirley, which is made up of twins Anisha and Jenaya Okpalanze, have been serving up sugary melodies and doo-wops backed by swaying grooves for a while now, with a meticulous approach to both their music and their visual output. Directing or co-directing their videos, the pair have built out a Surely Shirley world which feels like it lives somewhere between a 60s dollhouse and a Wes Anderson film, with their music perfectly syncing with the pastels and performances we watch unfold. That’s no more evident than in the ‘Lavender Blues’ clip which dropped along with the EP. Complete with claps and shimmering guitar lines, Anisha and Jenaya’s vocals bounce between softly sung hooks and dreamy harmonies, as a groovy beat keeps everything glued together. [via Life Without Andy]

Northumbrian electro-folk musician and producer Frankie Archer has announced her new EP Pressure and Persuasion and released new single ‘Barbara Allen’ along with an entrancing accompanying video. New single and EP opener ‘Barbara Allen’ is one of the most re-told songs in the English language. Frankie’s spiralling interpretation – co-produced by Jim Moray – transcends expectations. “It’s about a mean, cruel-hearted woman (irony there),” Frankie explains, continuing: “It’s 350+ years old but is dripping with the same expectation that’s laid onto women today.” Melding otherworldly electronic production that snaps and darts between the age-old prose, Frankie utilises harshly chopped and distorted fiddle, pitch-shifted vocals, swinging drum samples and a rich assemblage of analogue and digital synths, with her distinctive approach to folk storytelling opening up a new way of understanding the fabled tale. Discussing the song and her re-imagination, Frankie said: “Barbara Allen is summoned to the deathbed of John, a man she doesn’t really know, so he can tell her he loves her, and expect her to love him back. In some versions of the song he tries to guilt-trip her into it “For I am sick, I’m very bad // One kiss from you will cure me.” Barbara rejects this random man and is branded ‘cruel-hearted’. In most versions she actually dies of sorrow the day after he does (often this is told as a warning to girls not to be so cruel).” “In my telling of the song I explain that Barbara isn’t cruel, and John is actually a bit unreasonable for expecting her to – out of nowhere – immediately love him and kiss his dying mouth (grim) and heal him. “It’s not for me to fix you, John”, she says. The song definitely turned into a band song rather than a folk tune, but the lilting 6/8 hi-hat in the verses keeps the trad feel. I also (sacrilege) added a kind of pop chorus. A lot of trad songs don’t have choruses but this one needed it to reinforce over and over again the message: ‘I don’t owe you anything / I didn’t ask for your attention / Lechery is not a compliment’ – comments that our society was not ready to hear a woman say 350 years ago and still apparently struggles with today.”

London-based, internationally assembled instrumental four-piece, Los Bitchos, release their eagerly anticipated second album, Talkie Talkie, via City Slang alongside a new video for the track, ‘Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie’. ‘Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie’ is a cinematic odyssey through 80s synth pop that would slot right into Black Mirror’s storied San Junipero episode. About the track, the band said: “’Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie’ feels like driving around Miami in the 80s, Grand Theft Auto style, or chatting to friends on old landlines or walkie talkies. It was the first song we recorded for the album and the first time working with our producer Oli Barton-Wood. We had such an incredible time in the studio and ran wild with some electronic drum sounds and some impromptu vocals. We love the blend of sparkly synths and smooth guitars along with bold, fat drums and bass lines. This song ended up inspiring the album title, Talkie Talkie, which has a cheeky ring to it. We could imagine it in neon lights outside our imaginary club. We had a great time with some retro phones and 90s bedroom setups, and dancing our lives away!” Watch the video, directed by Tom Mitchell, below.

With their Crown The Witch headline tour just around the corner now, Bambie Thug has unveiled a brand-new single to celebrate. Entitled ‘Hex So Heavy’, the killer track is described by the singer as “a witches’ siren, a warning to those who have crossed me. This song channels the energy of those experiences – deception, betrayal – and turns them into something transformative: strength, resilience. It’s a reminder to those who have wronged me, that life has a way of making sure we all face what we’ve set in motion. As Jojo Siwa says, ‘Karma’s a bitch…’ and it’s about to come around.” Speaking about the accompanying video, Bambie reveals: “I was thrilled to collaborate once again with Camp Productions, who worked with me on ‘Doomsday,’ for the ‘Hex So Heavy’ video. Kassandra Powell, one of my favourite directors, brought her incredible vision to this project, and our creative chemistry was undeniable once again. “The video tells the story of a shapeshifting witch conjuring spells of revenge from the underworld, and a cunning nymph above ground who has stolen a magical machete from the witch. The nymph, basking in her ill-gotten gains and the adoration of others, believes she’s escaped unscathed. But little does she know, the witch has been watching and waiting to strike back. Drawing inspiration from Suspiria and Lord Of The Rings, ‘Hex So Heavy’ is the first chapter in a saga about reclaiming authenticity stolen by another.” [via Kerrang!]

‘NASTY’ finds Kate Leah sticking to her viral breakup anthem formula in a song that’s all about swiping an ex-boyfriend back from his new girl. Described as “guaranteed to inspire you to drunk text your favourite ex,” ‘NASTY’ is paired with a music video that shows Kate’s bedroom antics as she plots to win back her ex. [via Rolling Stone Aus]

Global superstar singer/actress/versatile powerhouse Halle delivers a sublime new sound with latest single release ‘Because I Love You’. Co-penned by the British phenom Raye, ‘Because I Love You’ introduces a new side of Halle—mature, confident, and ten toes down for her paramour, while also playfully reminding him of her own worth— “you ain’t used to girls that can do it high fashion, you f* with a ten, amen.” As Halle reflects, “‘Because I Love You’ is a song for anyone who has ever been deeply in love. It’s an anthem that tells the story of all of the beautiful passion and euphoria you can feel with that person.” She then touches on the song’s accompanying visual. “The video dives deeper into how vulnerable it makes you feel. I hope people enjoy listening and thinking of the person they love the most.” The song was produced by Grammy nominated producer DemJointz who has worked with artists including Rihanna, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, and more. The song arrives with an official video produced by Lottie Abrahams and directed by Allie Avital. The cinematic official video, features stunning visuals, Halle is once again showcasing her acting chops, impressively playing multiple roles—both as the innocent and devoted girlfriend to her love interest and the sultry temptress threatening to pull them apart.

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Yeah Yeah Yeahs are officially back. After announcing some shows and signing to Secretly Canadian, the trio has announced a brand-new album, Cool It Down, which will be out in September. It’s their first album since 2013’s Mosquito. Now, they’re sharing its lead single, ‘Spitting Off The Edge Of The World’. The track features Perfume Genius and was produced by Dave Sitek. “I see the younger generations staring down this threat, and they’re standing on the edge of a precipice, confronting what’s coming with anger and defiance,” Karen O said of the track. “It’s galvanizing, and there’s hope there.” Perfume Genius is also in the song’s music video, which was directed by Cody Critcheloe, aka Ssion, who goes way back with the YYYs — he designed the album artwork for their 2001 debut Fever To Tell. Karen O had this to say on the song and video: “This is how our new story begins, we present to you with heads bowed and fists in the air ‘Spitting Off the Edge of the World’ featuring Perfume Genius. A note on this video, it’s a dream collaboration with one of our favorite artists of the 21st century Cody Critcheloe who did the artwork for our first record back in 2003 and has been making visionary music videos for the last decade. The time to collaborate again came with ‘Spitting,’ the shoot in Kansas City was dream-like, the dreams you have after eating something really greasy right before bed; bizarre, poetic, and intense. Perfume Genius was incredibly gracious to roll in the very cold mud as my co pilot and steal scene after scene with his surreal charm. We trusted Cody implicitly, he surpassed expectations and gave us our November Rain. YYY’s spirit is alive and well through the eyes of Cody Critcheloe. Custom Yeahs limo was largely his handiwork, fueled on love.” [via Stereogum]

At the beginning of April, Florist announced their new self-titled album — their first as a full band since 2017. So far we’ve heard two singles, ‘Red Bird Pt. 2 (Morning)’ and ‘Spring In Hours.’ Now, the band is back with another one. Florist’s latest is called ‘Sci-Fi Silence.’ “‘Sci-fi Silence’ is a love song about the mystical forces that attract us to one another and the spaces in-between words that can hold profound communications,” Emily Sprague said in a statement. “It is also a reflection on our impermanence and the acceptance that it is worth it to invite love and connection into our lives even for just a moment.” [via Stereogum]

Amelia Moore released her debut EP, teaching a robot to love (Capitol Records), and shared the official video for the track ‘i feel everything.’ Directed by Sam Cannon, the phantasmagorical clip brings to life the EP’s striking cover imagery, with Moore addressing the robotic object of her affection in song.

Caylie Runciman aka Boyhood shares her literally perfect new single ‘Stroke It’, taken from the gorgeous, just announced new Boyhood album My Dread, coming this fall. Listen above via the stunning video by director Monika Kraska. [via Gorilla vs Bear]

Continuing to refuse to be pigeonholed and stick to one genre are Perth / Boorloo’s Mal De Mer, who now give us the fantastic song and video combo that is ‘Mirage’, the last taste of their forthcoming Sanguine EP, due out July 8. Sure to cause instant head nods, Mirage packs bright, shimmering guitar lines, deep horns and twinkling synths, with vocalist Saskia Fleming’s engaging vocals bringing it all together. On the creation of ‘Mirage’, drummer James Marelich explains, “It’s always a great feeling finishing music and finally releasing it, but this one feels especially surreal as we only wrote it a couple of months ago! Watching it transform from an idea into a full-fledged piece of music so quickly has been awesome”. Featuring a super fun and tongue-in-cheek video directed by long-time collaborator Sarah Gelmi, the video hilariously details an exaggerated break up, with vocalist Saskia elaborating “The video is a satirical send up of leaving a crappy relationship – it taps into the joy of moving on and looking back with relief.” [via Pilerats]

Lous and the Yakuza has released a new track ‘Monsters’ on Columbia Records. In ‘Monsters’, Lous and the Yakuza comes to peace with her past while exploring the thoughts and emotions that linger within us. Examining the wounds that forged her, she opens up to the little monsters living in her head and under her bed, which continue to follow her and with whom she now coexists in peace. “My monsters do not scare me, they are part of me” she explains. “Not all monsters are bad.” Produced by El Guincho and Mems, ‘Monsters’ is a soaring mid-tempo song with a catchy, dreamy melody. The track is enhanced with a one-shot music video which recalls the universe of Anime Master Hayao Miyazaki, known for his unique way of transforming the atrocious into wonder. [via Radio Facts]

Arriving just a few short weeks after Maggie Lindemann’s recent single ‘how could you do this to me’ (feat. Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn), the alt/rock songstress has released her latest collaborative video/track ‘break me!’ featuring siiickbrain. ‘break me!’ is from Maggie’s forthcoming debut album SUCKERPUNCH, which is expected to drop later this year. Directed by siiickbrain, ‘break me!’ is a chaotic, industrial-tinged video that explores the feelings of “fear and adrenaline” vs. “the calmness and peace” that come with being in an altered state be it from drugs, alcohol or love, according to Maggie. “‘break me!’ featuring siiickbrain is about being intoxicated,” Maggie shares. “It’s all the feelings it gives you, that rush of fear and adrenaline, but also the calmness and peace. The video is meant to convey the juxtaposition of the two – one moment you’re euphoric and the next you feel like you’re broken, suffocating and your heart is decaying.” [via Broadway World]

Jaguar Jonze has shared a music video for ‘Swallow’ off her new album Bunny Mode, to mark the record’s arrival. The ‘Swallow’ clip is another enticing visual from Jonze, who directs most of her video content herself. The eerie affair features large, shibari (Japanese rope bondage) spiderwebs, jarring, horror movie-esque choreography, and finishes with Jonze doing the once viral ‘chubby bunny’ challenge, where participants stuff their mouths with marshmallows. [via NME]

Leah Kate is putting both middle fingers up to her ex-boyfriend in her new ’10 Things I Hate About You’ music video, which follows the TikTok pop-punk darling giving a press conference revealing all the things she despises of her former love. “Revenge isn’t always best served cold. I wanted the video to be a little more immediate, a little like a slasher movie. Or the threat of one,” Kate tells Rolling Stone. “I loved having all the other angry girls behind me like a Greek Chorus, just to show that guys who are serial heartbreakers shouldn’t think that they can get away clean.” The video laces clips of Kate singing into the camera as she’s surrounded by a gang of girls who seem ready to throw hands as she counts down all the reasons why she’s done with her former man. [via Rolling Stone]

The Sex Lives of College Girls and Broadway star Reneé Rapp is making her solo music debut with ‘Tattoos,’ a vulnerable tale about the fear that comes with growing up and falling out of love.“Fifteen and 16 I had to be strong/ 22 I’m still scared of it all,” Rapp belts in the song’s chorus over moody piano chords. “Cuz I know one day I could wake up and you’ll be gone/ And I’ll just be lonely/ Missing holding your hand when we’re half asleep.”Rapp has been teasing the single on TikTok for months now, finally revealing its release date last week. In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the 22-year-old opened up about what the song means to her in the context of her career thus far. “I was literally a baby forcing my family to record my ‘concerts.’ Always knew this is what I wanted to do,” Rapp wrote. “I knew it was what I loved more than anything. I’ve dreamt of my first song coming out since I [was] little. I’ve been telling y’all I’m going to release music for six years. I’ve been hustling at this shit for five years. I’ve been embarrassed turned down by labels for four years. At one point I was even in a girl group lmfao and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. I’d get turned down and messed up all over again to be here. Y’all have stuck with me through all of that and more not even knowing it. Making music is the only time I’m smiling like hell and nothing else means a fucking thing. Thank you for sticking w me. I love you like crazy.” [via Variety]

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