Tink x How to Dress Well
“Can I”
Original Appears on Tink’s Winter’s Diary Mixtape

After a couple of weeks away (computer problems, moving to the East Coast), we’re back up and running, and we’re kicking off this week with something special. TP-favorite, How to Dress Well (né Tom Krell) woke up yesterday morning and decided to jump on this devotional slow jam from up-and-coming Chicago singer/rapper, Tink. I can’t say that I’d heard any of Winter’s Diary before today, but it’s pretty tight and Krell’s ghostly falsetto provides a sumptuous foil to the teenage starlet’s saccharine, sweet alone-in-my-bedroom jam.

Friends
“The Way”
The Way Single (Lucky Number)

Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange, Lightspeed Champion, Test Icicles) is having a moment right now. Fresh off writing two of the best pure pop songs of last year — Sky Ferreira’s “Everything is Embarrassing” and Solange’s “Losing You” — the suddenly in-demand producer/multi-instrumentalist penned a storming, unlikely comeback for the Sugababes (MKS’ “Flatline”) and had a hand in this sexy return to form from Samantha Urbani’s revamped Friends project. Though Urbani is definitely behind the wheel, “The Way” has tons of Hynes’ hallmarks — slinky guitar, an infectious melody, plenty of drama — and it’s yet another example the 27 year-old London native’s impeccable understanding of female vocalists and how to best compliment each of their individual voices and talents. ALL HAIL HYNES.

Also, make sure to check out Mutya Keisha Siobhan’s aforementioned, UNFUKWITABLE “Flatline.”

Washed Out
“Don’t Give Up”
Paracosm (out August 13 on SubPop)

If Ernest Greene can outlive chillwave, anyone can. It’s hard to believe that its been nearly four years since the Georgia-native released his genre-defining, 17-minute debut, Life of Leisure, and chillwave’s ultimate masterpiece, the sumptuous “Feel It All Around.” In the last few years, Greene has continued to develop his woozy, summery sound, and the second single from his upcoming sophomore LP is a perfect example of where he’s been heading. Light and breezy without feeling entirely vapid, “Don’t Give Up” is dripping with the kind of nostalgia and easy resignation that tells us summer is here. After a few spins, you can’t help but feel that this cut will soundtrack at least a few of those unending summer afternoons that we spend all winter waiting for.

Dent May
“Born Too Late”
Warm Blanket (out August 27 on Paw Tracks)

A lot of what I love about the South is the same stuff that I love about Oxford, Mississippi-based singer-songwriter, Dent May (real name). Friendly, sheltered, antiquated, earnest, and just plain weird, May has been using his gorgeous, strikingly Brian Wilson-ish voice to craft gloriously cracked oddball pop songs for almost ten years. “Born Too Late” is the lead single from his forthcoming third LP, and its bouncy, summer-friendly spirit is a good backdrop for his affable, slightly melancholy vocals. He’s always been capable of writing great songs (see: 2009’s stunning “Eastover Wives“), but we’re still waiting for a truly great album from the NYU grad. Maybe Warm Blanket will be the one. It’s certainly off to an encouraging start.

Drake, “The Motion” (f/ Sampha)
PARTYNEXTDOOR, “Over Here” (f/ Drake)

Last week, October’s Very Own unexpectedly dropped four new tracks and announced that his third LP, Nothing Was the Same, drops on September 17. His last album, Take Care, was one of the best, most reflective hip-hop albums in recent years. The 26 year-old is at his best when he’s ruminating over evocative, down-tempo beats, and the best of the four tracks are perfect examples of it. Featuring potent spots from a pair of up-and-coming crooners — the UK’s Sampha and OVO associate PARTYNEXTDOOR — “The Motion” and “Over Here” highlight the Toronto-native’s signature ability to seamlessly blend alpha dog narcissism with puppy-dog vulnerability. It shouldn’t work, but it does.

Julianna Barwick
“One Half”
Nepenthe (out August 20 on Dead Oceans)

Each day that brings a new Julianna Barwick song is a beautiful day. The vocalist is gifted with some of the most celestial pipes in the the game, and with the second single from her eagerly-anticipated second true, solo LP, Barwick could light up even the gloomiest of June days (it gets foggy in the summer in San Francisco).

The Brooklyn resident traveled to Iceland to craft Nepenthe and looks to have added a real orchestral quality to her vocal-led past works. Her debut LP, The Magic Place, was one of the albums of 2011, and her follow-up is shaping up to be a worthy successor.

Dornik
“Something About You”
Digital Single (PMR)

On his debut single, it takes young London-based troubadour Dornik Leigh approximately 4.71 seconds to take your breath away. “Something About You” opens with a little over four seconds of ambient noise, which sounds like someone opening a vault. Once the vault opens, Leigh’s sumptuous falsetto comes pouring out, unfolding into an impossibly sexy, Jacko-ish slow burner. Leigh used to play drums with TP-favorite Jessie Ware, and if there is any justice in the world, the duo will release at least one song together. It would probably melt your computer speakers.

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Chvrches
“Gun”
Gun (7″ Single) (out 7/15 on Virgin)

Another day, another bubbly earworm of a single from the Glasgow synth-poppsters. While we are still waiting for a full-length LP, the young trio has proven that they can write the shit out of a pop song. Driven by a delicious, sacharine synthwork and a New Order-style bass-line, “Gun” is an anthemic sing-along, that is along the same lines of their undeniable previous singles “The Mother We Share” and “Recover.” Vocalist Lauren Mayberry’s seductive, cherubic chirp is the perfect compliment to the band’s nuclear hooks and youthful earnestness. Just pure joy.