Destroyer - June

Let’s get the most important thing out of the way first: Destroyer’s Kaputt is a masterpiece. If you haven’t listened to it, then I suggest you stop what you’re doing and dive right in. Dan Bejar’s experimental, adventuristic nature wasn’t necessarily going to allow him to continue with the same formula just because it works - but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been longing for a sound that resembled Kaputt since the decade or so it was released. That is until Destroyer released his newest single “June,” off his upcoming Labyrinthitis LP - and it’s exactly what I needed to fill that aforementioned void. It’s actually more like two songs in one, with the opening half sounding stylistically similar to “Kaputt” (the song) before a stark shift into a sound that’s completely wild, unconventional, and absolutely necessary. Initiated by a basic plucky guitar riff, Bejar produces an ever-evolving melody of pads, guitars, and swirling vocals that vibes with every chemical building block in my body. And honestly, that’s all I can say before concluding that you’ve just sort of got to hear it to believe it.

LORA - bittersweet

LORA’s “bittersweet” is just that - bittersweet. It’s melancholic and unsuspectingly uplifting. It’s a dark room with hints of light creeping in at the faults of the window blinds. The lyrics paint a somber picture, but they are in seemingly perfect conflict with the wholesome melody and brisk BPM. The first thing that stands out from Australia-based singer/songwriter LORA, AKA Hannah Mundy, is her sheer versatility. The vibes of “bittersweet,” highlighted by some Sylvan Esso/Postal Service-style arpeggios and crinkly percussion, are quite different from that of her previous single “slumber,” which seamlessly blends the styles of Sofi Tukker, Kaytranda, and mallrat into one cohesive banger. And what’s undeniably clear after giving her growing catalog a spin is that LORA has all the right moves to elevate her status to the ranks of those aforementioned, genre-bending trailblazers.

The ACBs - Be Professional

On this edition of Flashback Friday, we are reflecting on another incredible and overlooked song that’s near-and-dear to our hearts. “Be Professional” from Kansas City outfit The ACBs is a truly one-of-a-kind track. From our listening perspective, it’s a tune that feels like it could have only been made in the exact time and place that it was - no sooner, no later, and never to be recreated. We could be completely wrong about how the events transpired, but we envision “Be Professional” as one of those “epiphany” songs, whose unlikely conception is the result of a few key stars aligning at just the right moment. And the end result is something organic, wholesome, and exactly what we needed at that fateful time in our lives.

Goth Babe - Driving South (feat. Blood Cultures)

It’s kind of odd to say, but Goth Babe has a sound that ruled the airwaves about a decade or so ago. That was a simpler time. A time when the prospect of getting through all the weekly releases felt more like a gratifying chore than an insurmountable task. But music also just plain sounded different back then. Maybe it’s because musicians weren’t compromising the creative process in order to maintain streaming relevancy. Or maybe we at Lower Frequencies have simply succumbed to that inevitable Golden Age fallacy - where those warm feelings of nostalgia create a skewed sense of the past. Regardless, it’s always a treat to her an artist that’s capable of fostering those feelings of historical longing - which is where Goth Babe x Blood Culture’s “Driving South” comes in to play. It’s a tropical pop ballad featuring Latin percussion and sparkly lo-fi synths that’s a stark change of pace from Goth Babe’s previous guitar-centric, Phantogram-esq single “Running Around.” They are both featured on his excellent new Santa Catalina EP, which is the latest in a long line of location-based EPs. And what’s abundantly clear based on both sound and intention is that Goth Babe’s Griff Washburn is making music for all the right reasons - the way artists used to do it - about a decade or so ago.

ill peach - COMATOSE

A single run through of ill peach’s 8-track catalogue makes one thing abundantly clear - they march to the beat of their own gritty, meticulously crafted drum sample. Specifically, in the case of their newest single “COMATOSE,” it features a powerful DnB groove that you can’t help but gravitate your focus toward - despite so much other chaos occurring within the mix space. There’s a lot we love about this LA gritpop, hyperpop, (fill in the blank) pop duo, but it’s their sheer versatility that stands out the most. From the grungy alternative rock highlighted in “GUM” to today’s featured hyperpop ballad, ill peach pulls off the challenging feat of maintaining a core, signature sound whilst exploring a variety of genres within the pop realm. There’s no telling what style of sound they might venture towards next, but they can certainly count on us tagging along for the ride.

Meltt - Only in Your Eyes

Meltt’s sound is one that appeals to a broad audience. Regardless of whether you’re in the psychedelic rock Tame Impala camp, dabble more with the dreamy soundscapes of Bombay Bicycle Club, or even find yourself more electronically inclined with a Glass Animals focus, Meltt’s going to give you a reason to come back for another listen. That sentiment rings especially true with the release of their new single “Only in Your Eyes,” which features layer after layer of lush guitar melody atop a sleek, rhythmic bass line. We’re officially aboard the Meltt hype train and are anticipating more excellent tunes to melt in to from this Vancouver-based four piece in 2022.

Gypsy & The Cat - Time to Wander (Joan of Arc Remix)

Today we’re starting a new trend at Lower Frequecies: Flashback Friday. These days will be dedicated to a core selection of incredible, overlooked songs of the past decade that made a lasting impact on us. A little over ten years ago, Gypsy & The Cat put out what we consider to be one of the best records ever made, Gilgamesh. Today’s track of the day, “Time to Wander (Joan of Arc Remix),” holds a special place in our heart. Now, what’s interesting is that the remix of this song is not especially different to the original version. It’s almost like it’s the same song, just mixed differently. And while the original is plenty beautiful in its own right, this version highlights all the most essential ingredients of this spellbinding tune just a little bit better. We hope by sharing it that it might resonate with another person the same way it does with us. Thanks for tuning in to Flashback Friday and we’ll catch you on the next one!

Quiet Light - Alight

We at Lower Frequencies don’t necessarily have an agenda about featuring under the radar acts over more mainstream ones - we’re just focused on good music. With that said, we value opportunities to provide exposure to the up-and-comers in any capacity we can. That’s the route we’ve chosen today with our featured song “Alight” from Austin-based singer/songwriter Riya Mahesh. “Alight'“ is a poignant tune that demonstrates a knack for insight and introspection beyond that of most 21-year-olds. And like Phoebe Bridgers, she does a wonderful job at providing that little bit of extra detail to her lyricism - detail that might be considered insignificant if it didn’t bring out the sheer humanity and realness of it all. We’re excited to see what’s next in store for Mahesh and her Quiet Light moniker.

Renata Zeiguer - Evergreen

The chord progressions in Renata Zeiguer’s “Evergreen” are clearly designed to keep you slightly off kilter and outside your comfort zone for its brief 3:07 runtime. At times, the song seemingly feels in conflict with itself as it transitions from a somber, lo-fi Mazzy Star-esq rock ballad into a whimsical and enchantingly upbeat refrain of swirling flutes and Zeiguer’s ever-so-lovely falsetto. It’s an intriguing and equally challenging listen that we’ll be looking forward to hearing in the full context of her upcoming LP Picnic in the Dark - out April 8th. Check out the gorgeously shot music video for “Evergreen” below.

Jaguar Sun - Midnight Man

The sound coming out of Jaguar Sun’s “Midnight Man” is gushing with nostalgia. For us, listening to the new tune from this Ontario, Canada-based singer/songwriter can’t help but bring us back to the days of discovering Air Review’s “America’s Son” and “Young” almost a decade prior. It’s a nostalgic track in itself, too, as Chris Minielly writes about his reflections on past places and faces - before acknowledging that what’s to happen next is out of his hands. We’ll be on the lookout for a few more single releases in the lead up to his sophomore LP All We’ve Ever Known, out June 23rd.

Sipper - ily<3

Say what you will about Sipper, but it’s hard to criticize the guy’s work ethic. This NYC artist has seemingly put out a song a week for the last century - and the only reason that’s a noteworthy feat is because they are all, well, quite good. Our personal favorite of the batch is his newest release, “ily<3,” which blends hazy lo-fi rock with some retro synth pads that you might find in a cheesy 80s pop song, such as this gem from When In Rome. Part of the Sipper appeal is that he clearly doesn’t take himself too seriously, but that hasn’t prevented his ever-expanding catalogue from gaining mainstream momentum. We’ll be looking forward to his next LP release later this year.

Foxes - The Kick

We’ve been on the Foxes bandwagon since the release of “White Coats” a near decade ago. And it’s been a real treat watching her career grow and evolve from that point to now. Throughout that stretch, Louisa Rose Allen has seemingly explored every nook and cranny of the pop genre - and one of our favorites off her brand new LP The Kick is the ultimate testament to that statement. The title track “The Kick” features a smooth blend of disco, modern pop, and 80s nostalgia - kind of how The 1975 have so meticulously perfected that same distinct sound. It’s an undeniably fun and superficial dance tune that, at the same time, manages to demonstrate a considerable amount of substance of soul. The Kick currently stands atop our list of favorite pop records of 2022 - and while you’re at it, we strongly suggest you check out another one of our favorites from 2021, “Kathleen,” off her excellent Friends In The Corner EP.

Josaleigh Pollett - bad dreams

Josaleigh Pollet’s “bad dreams” is a hard tune to pin down. The electronic percussive elements sometimes feel as if they are at odds with the rest of the song’s lo-fi, folkish rock narrative. But the more we listen to it, the more we get the feeling that that’s the whole point. And while the subject matter might be inherently dreary, there’s a lot that keeps you coming back for more in this one. The two ongoing lush guitar melodies give the track its needed euphonious depth, but it’s Pollett’s serenading vocals, swirling from left pan to right pan, that ultimately steal the show. We’ll be eagerly awaiting more from this Utah native - with the anticipation of a potential sophomore LP out later this year.

Barrie - Quarry

Barrie’s sophomore LP Barbara is shaping up to be something special. This week she released her excellent new single "Jenny" off the much anticipated record. But we want to take a moment to backtrack and reminisce on the the single before that, “Quarry,” and call it out for the spectacle of sound that it is. For us, it’s a song that was conceived in this time period, but it doesn’t necessarily belong here. And it’s not just the feel-good track of the year, it’s also layered with heart, substance, and a steadfast intensity that comes on rather quickly at the arrival of the slightly impromptu hook. The sheer goodness of this song is also a testament to Barrie’s natural songwriting abilities. It’s not going to bombard you with sound textures and percussive elements in every nook and cranny of the mix space. Instead, all she needs is a lush synth melody, a sleek guitar hook, and her ever-so-charming vocal presence. We can’t wait to hear Barbara in it’s entirety - out March 25th.

Softcult - House of Mirrors

Softcult’s sound is too eclectic and dynamic to relegate them as simply an alt-rock outfit. The songs on their new Year of the Snake EP range from grunge rock to, in the case of today’s featured track “House of Mirrors,” a style a little closer to shoegaze than anything else. But, like we said before, you’ll find elements from a variety of different genres and musical influences in their work if you listen close enough. “House of Mirrors” provides the listener with a resounding, all-encompassing sound of distorted guitar and ethereal vocals that’s reminiscent of vintage my bloody valentine - with perhaps a more modernized production touch. By the looks of it, Softcult has already garnered some noteworthy critical acclaim for their sophomore EP, and once their compelling sound reaches a wider audience, the sky is seemingly the limit for this up-and-coming Canadian duo.

deer scout - Cowboy

deer scout’s “Cowboy” is a delicate tune. As if you were to listen too intently, you just might break something. It’s also a wholesome and inherently sweet song about a person doing their best to avoid the perils of relationships and love - and learning some important details about themselves along the way. According to Dena Miller, the talented folk artist behind the deer scout moniker, this has been an evolving passion project in the making. And after six years and an eventual return to her home base in New York, she’s now ready to release her debut LP Woodpecker. If you’re keen on following the indie folk scene, this certainly won’t be the last you hear of deer scout.

Bathtub Cig - trust no man

Hilary James is the name behind the moniker Bathtub Cig. She self describes her style as “depression pop,” but we personally find a lot of her tunes quite uplifting. She’s been flying under the radar for a few years now, but we feel pretty confident that her excellent debut LP Night Blindness will catapult her into the indie alt rock conversation. Our featured track, “trust no man,” gets better with every listen. Built upon a rather simplistic, Beach House-esque piano melody, this elegant song only evolves from there as it fluctuates between mellow and borderline-intense. And what elevates this tune even further is James’ brilliant dynamic vocal range, which we can’t help but similarly compare to that Beach House’s Victoria Legrand. It’s safe to say that Bathtub Cig is permanently on our radar, and we’ll be enthusiastically checking back in on them to monitor the status of their growing popularity.

golda may - Cracks

By seamlessly fusing elements of dreamfolk and alt-rock, the mystique surrounding golda may might still be budding, but it’s clear based on sound alone that she’s already developed a winning formula for herself. She cites some of her influences as Feist, Grizzly Bear, and Radiohead, and if I had to guess, I’d say Phoebe Bridgers might be found somewhere on that list as well. But what she’s created in “Cracks” is something uniquely her own. It’s a dreamy and ethereally atmospheric tune with some themes that surely run in parallel to may’s own life. And furthermore, it’s a song that reminds us to never take for granted a songwriter’s ability to create art that’s both poignant and melodically dynamic. If golda may keeps up at this pace, we’ll be seeing her on the same concert ticket as those aforementioned artists (OK, maybe not Radiohead) in no time.

The Golf Club - funny lil thing

There are some tracks you simply want to cozy up and live inside. We knew The Golf Club’s “funny lil thing” met these high standards as soon as the hypnotizingly catchy chorus dropped. It comes from another band we’re just discovering as of this early Friday morning - and we are all the better for it. It’s hard to find much of anything about The Golf Club, because any relevant info is understandably masked behind links for country clubs and swinging tutorials. Nonetheless, we’ve got all we need with this brilliant tune and their remaining three Spotify singles at our disposal. “funny lil thing” is a fusion of funk, lo-fi bedroom pop, and even a little vaporwave. But don’t let those genres deceive you from the fact this is one of the most polished productions we’ve listened to in 2022. In its brief 2:17 runtime, it fills the panoramic soundscape with sleek guitar riffs, vocal harmonies, and some percussion cut outs that leave you momentarily suspended in eager anticipation of what’s to come next. We absolutely can’t wait to hear more from this up-and-coming California-based duo.

Beshken - Social Suicide

Kind of like how alt-J or Moderat did when they first arrived on the scene, Beshken doesn’t sound like anyone else on the planet. With the sheer amount of music we’re inundated with on a daily basis, that alone is a feat in itself. The fact that they sound good while doing it - well that’s just a huge plus. Beshken’s new track “Social Suicide,” which will be featured on their upcoming sophomore LP Pantomime, is a doozy of a song. In fact, after quite a few spins, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the vocal production. The chorus design of reverbed vocal harmonies swirling in, out, and alongside some wide symphonic pads tells an epic story without any actual words spoken. And, the closing feelings of excitement I get listening to this tune are the exact same ones I got when I first heard “Fitzpleasure” a near-decade ago. I can’t wait to listen this track in the context of the entire record when its released on 2/18. In the meantime, check out the wild music video for “Social Suicide” below.