Dan Bodan “Aaron” DP/Aaron Single (DFA) Canadian-bed, Berlin-based Dan Bodan is the most exciting new DFA signing in recent memory, and his recently-released single features two romantic, graceful slabs of 80’s electro-lounge that have more than a hint of Bryan Ferry, Spandau Ballet, and Paul Weller’s group the Style Council. “Aaron” is a slick, lovelorn ballad that highlights Bodan’s easy, yet passionate delivery and provocative lyrics. It’ll be interesting to watch where Bodan goes from here, but he’s certainly off to a good … →

How to Dress Well “Cold Nites” (Koreless Remix) Digital Single I’ve written thousands of words about the admiration that I have for How to Dress Well’s fractured, lo-fi bedroom R&B, so I thought I’d focus a little on the Scottish teenager behind this remix. The 19 year-old Glaswegian burst on the scene with his pensive neo-dubstep meditation, “Lost in Tokyo” and a release on buzzy UK label, Pictures. His ability to craft emotive, drippy compositions makes him a natural partner for the perpetual heart-on-sleeve … →

Holy Other “Inpouring” Held (Tri Angle, out 8/28) Who would have known that r&b and new age would have made such exquisite bedfellows? Listening to Holy Other makes me realize that I wasn’t totally insane for digging Enya and Boyz II Men in middle school. The Manchester-based producer’s debut EP was amongst my favorites of 2011, and his debut LP is shaping up as one of the releases of the year. Holy Other is a master of mood, consistently crafting tracks … →

Chad Valley “Fall 4 U” (f. Glasser) Young Hunger (Cascine, out 10/30)  Oxford-based producer Chad Valley has always been one of the standouts of the Balearic pop/chillwave scene that peaked a couple years ago, and it’s kind of amazing that he’s still yet to release a proper LP. That wait is nearing its end, and based on “Fall 4 U,” its breathtaking debut single, Young Hunger is going to be well worth the wait. Valley (né Hugo Manuel) enlists the ultra-smooth vocal … →

Gang Colours “Fill Me In” Digital Single Great covers come in many forms. That said, they generally are at their best and most enduring when an artist so stamps their authority and style on the original that it almost comes off as an entirely new track. Such is British down-tempo producer Gang Colours’ take on Craig David’s seminal middle-school slow jam. Over a moody keyboard line, drippy percussion, and ambient filigree, the Southampton native (né Will Ozanne) retells David’s classic story of hooking up with … →