Future Islands - Ran

Future Islands music has always been steeped in new wave romanticism. Their latest track "Ran" is their first since their 2014 breakthrough album Singles and is the kind of song that could ably soundtrack a prom scene in a John Hughes movie. As the synths soar to OMD-level heights, Samuel Herring passionately cries, "What's a song without you, when every song I write is about you?" squeezing out every word as if it's he's taking his last breath. This is the kind of earnestness we need in 2017.

Father John Misty - Ballad of the Dying Man

The melody and arrangements of Joshua Tillman's music are so lovely and tasteful, you may miss the bite underneath. Nowhere is this more apparent than on "Ballad of the Dying Man." The song mocks a condescending critic in his last days. it's a persona that's just as reviled as the one Tillman takes on as a performer and yet his ability to find some humanity amongst his disdain somehow seeps through, but just barely.

RØMANS’ - Love Is The Beast (feat. Avelino)

North London’'s RØMANS - is a triple-threat artist: a singer, songwriter and producer. Having already penned songs for John Legend, Alicia Keys, Disclosure, and AlunaGeorge. He has had a hit with Naughty Boy; composed ‘Tears’, a No 5 for Clean Bandit; appeared in the video for Doubt, a song he wrote for Mary J Blige that also featured Taylor Swift; even sat down at a piano with his all-time hero, and fellow Pinner boy, Elton John. His latest track consists of a beat Kanye passed on and he probably regrets it because this song is a banger.

Jay Som - 1 Billion Dogs

The second single from Jay Som (aka Bay Area-based multi-instrumentalist Melina Dutere) highly anticipated debut album Everybody Works, is a fuzz-filled pop jam. With it's squiggly guitar solo and hushed vocals it's equal parts noise and bubblegum.

Major Lazer - Run Up (Featuring Nicki Minj and PARTYNEXTDOOR)

With its electro-beats and dancehall rhythms, Major Lazer's latest song "Run Up" is blast of trop-pop perfection. Nicki Minaj and PARTYNEXTDOOR get in on the fun too, as she drops an awesome verse and he sings the catchiest of hooks. Had they waited a few months to release it, they'd definitely have the song of the summer on their hands. But hey, given all the dreary weather and bad news lately, we'll take it this winter!

Japandroids - North East South West

"North East South West" is among the most earnest, and dare we say, romantic songs Japandroids have ever released. It's a rollicking travelogue that both celebrates and laments the touring life. With a yearning chorus of ohhhh and lots of acoustic strumming, we'll follow this band wherever the road may lead.

Nelly Furtado - Cold Hard Truth

It's been five years since her last album and with "Cold Hard Truth" Nelly Furtado returns a electro-pop anthem of epic resilience. The wobbly synths and funky beat propel her confident vocals. It's could easily sit side-by-side with Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" for those who prefer dancing in a disco made for one.

Tei Shi - Keep Running

Singer-songwriter Valerie Teicher's latest single is just so cool. The sultry ballad floats and lingers much like Teicher herself in the colorful karaoke-style lyric video that accompanies it. Like some of the best R&B it's equal parts smooth and unsettling. Be on the lookout for her debut album Crawl Space out this March.

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