Say Lou Lou
“Better in the Dark”
Better in the Dark (single out November 25th on Columbia)

As much as “Better in the Dark” is another majestic, sweeping slab of magic from the Swedish/Australian Kilbey sisters, the fact that isn’t linked to an impending full-length is a bit disappointing. The duo has been teasing us with near-perfect dream-wave ballads for nearly 18 months, and I expected their newest single to be a harbinger of a long-awaited debut. Though the long wait continues, some Say Lou Lou is better than no Say Lou Lou. Get swept away.

Lee Bannon
“Place/Crusher”
Place/Crusher EP (out now on NinjaTune)

Listed as a one-song EP, the Sacramento native’s debut for legendary UK label Ninja Tune is an engulfing 23-minute ride through the murky mind of one of the best young beatsmiths around. Bannon gained notoriety through his excellent work with Pro Era (Joey Bada$$, especially), but he truly shines on his experimental, expansive solo work.

Place/Crusher‘s genre-hopping movements keep the journey fresh, and Bannon’s deft use of negative space and urbane, melancholic soundscapes are reminiscent of genre kingpins Burial and Flying Lotus. Obviously, it isn’t easy to keep a listener’s attention for 23 minutes (especially in this day and age), but the 26 year-old’s current high watermark does it with ease, revealing more of its genius with every subsequent listen.

Saada Bonaire
“You Could Be More As You Are”
Saada Bonaire (out Nov 12 on Captured Tracks)

This is really cool. The always reliable Captured Tracks is re-releasing this forgotten LP from this 80’s new-wave/disco duo from Bremen, Germany. In the midst of recording back in 1984, EMI pulled the plug on the album due to budget constraints, and nearly thirty years later, the disc gets its proper release. Superb lead single, “You Could Be More As You Are,” is dripping with sultry, á la mode attitude, buoyant synths, and funky bass licks. The disc sounds incredibly modern, thanks to the renewed influence of world music and new age in today’s pop music, and it’s fascinating to stumble on a relic that still sounds ahead of its time, 30 years later.

Wet
“No Lie”
Wet (out 10/15 on Neon Gold)

The Brooklyn trio’s debut single lives in the space between bedroom R&B (Inc., How to Dress Well, Sean Blackthorn) and down-tempo indie (the XX, Deptford Goth). It is a striking, vulnerable statement, that sees the mellifluous voice of Kelly Zutrau gliding over a sparse, guitar-washed arraignment. Though the instrumentation is spot-on, Zutrau’s the star of the show here — delivering a heartfelt dissection of a feckless relationship and sharing the melancholy release of moving on.

Movement
“Us”
Movement Single (out 9/23 on Modular People)

The Sydney-based group has already released one impeccable single this year, and their follow-up to June’s “Feel Real” is more than a worthy successor. On “Us,” the trio dims the lights even further, crafting an inconceivably sexy slow burner. Like The XX with more back to it, the record swims seductively in the space between R&B and deep house — gently, yet forcefully you into the water.

Ejecta
“Afraid of the Dark”
Dominae (out in November on Driftless)

Rejoice! My dude Joel Ford (Ford + Lopatin, Airbird, Tigercity) is back with another electro-pop project. This time, the Greenpoint resident is teaming up with Neon Indian and all-around Mega-Foxx Leanne Macomber, and their debut single is just as luscious as you’d expect. Macomber’s alluring delivery is supported by Ford’s signature, hyper-melodic synths and 8-bit percussion, resulting in a romantic, sprightly summer jam.

Danny Brown
“Side A (Old)”
Old (out 9/30 on Fool’s Gold)

Another killer track from one of the most anticipated albums of the year, “Side A (Old)” sees the 32 year-old Detroit native (and reigning Best Rapper Alive) in a comparatively reflective, mellow mood. While his signature sing-song, uber-hype flow may be palpably dialed back, there is still plenty of tension here — an ever-present in Danny World. It may not hit as hard as a lot of his other stuff (see: Old‘s first single “ODB”), but it highlights the underrated versatility and depth that makes him such a compelling character. September 30 can’t get here quick enough.

And in case you think he’s gone all soft in his old age, check out the video for “ODB.”