Bloc Party “Truth” (Jerome LOL Remix) Truth EP (out  When it comes to nailing a feeling, LA-based producer Jerome LOL never seems to need more than a line. From the now-defunct LOL Boys’ stunning “Changes” (“Things wont change until we do”) to his unfuckwitable remix of The-Dream’s “Can’t Wait to Hate You” demo (“Today I’m gonna get over you”), his work offers a stark contrast to the maximalism of much of his contemporaries. The former LOL Boy strikes again with his … →

Rhye “Open” (Ryan Hemsworth) The original will appear on Rhye’s Woman (due out 3/5 on Loma Vista) There are some songs that you know you love before you even hear it. I’ve been moderately obsessed with the Sade-recalling duo, formed by Canadian producer Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal of soulful Danish group Quadron, and everything Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth turns to solid, body-rockin’, Trinidad-James-level gold. Sure enough, Hemsworth adds his signature deft touch to the spellbinding, seductive original, resulting in a re-imagination that feels new … →

Shy Girls “Under Attack” From Upcoming Debut LP This luscious, expansive slow jam from Portland septet Shy Girls is guaranteed to make you feel feelings — even if they aren’t positive ones. You can scoff at 80’s guitar tone, roll your eyes at vocalist Dan Vidmar’s charmin-smooth falsetto, or legitimately LOL at the opulent, Hornsbyish sax solo, but the seductive “Under Attack” will make you feel something, which is, of course, the whole point of pop music. It certainly makes me feel something. … →

CHVRCHES “Recover” Recover EP (out March 25 on Virgin) Last year, likely Scottish synth-pop trio, CHVRCHES (pronounced “Churches”), parlayed a pair of delicious, blogosphere-wankfest-inducing singles (“Lies” & “The Mother We Share”) into a coveted spot on BBC’s Sound of 2013 shortlist. Their upcoming debut’s lead single, “Recover,” is bristling with the virility and directness of their past successes, and while the original is brilliant, this remix from UK veteran, CID RIM, stretches it to new heights with a mind-bending barrage of synth … →

Tyler, The Creator “Domo 23” WOLF (out April 2 on Odd Future Records) 5 reasons to care about Odd Future mainman Tyler, The Creator’s new song and video. 1. That it caused “Fookie Bookie” to trend on Twitter. 2. That Domo is doing the fat dude in a pool thing by wearing a t-shirt in a wrestling ring. 3. Surprise Frank Ocean at the end! Even a little Frank is better than no Frank at all. 4. The realization that … →