Listen Up
A haunting tune for TV, Spanish-lyric psych, electro-pop and more new music from the week
Say Yes Dog: Lies
Trio Say Yes Dog (aka Aaron Ahrends, Pascal Karier and Paul Rundel) recently released an upbeat and satisfying electro-pop tune in “Lies.” The second single from their upcoming album VOYAGE, it’s synth-laden with an unwavering groove—making for a delightfully buoyant bop. The video depicts a man in a parachute tracksuit and headphones, dancing at the back of a concert crowd. Unsurprisingly, his unabashed and gleeful solo dance party is a joy to watch.
Lucy Lu: Crucial
London-based producer Lucy Lu’s newest single “Crucial” is a silky, synth-driven track that melts as it moves along. Lu croons—filtered and echoed—with horns, bellowing bass and electronic crescendos in the backdrop. It’s all a bit futuristic, with incredible depth. Lu, while still a relatively new name, teases infinite potential here. You can catch him at his headliner show in London on 11 June.
https://soundcloud.com/lucy-lu-tings/crucial
Florence + the Machine: Jenny of Oldstones
In a moment of quiet amidst the ever-changing character landscape of the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones, squire Podrick Payne begins to sing. Florence + The Machine recorded a version of this track, “Jenny Of Oldstones,” with lyrics by George RR Martin, Ramin Djawadi and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman) produced the haunting track. It’s the second time Florence + The Machine and Game of Thrones crossed paths—the first being season two’s trailer. It’s also one of many crossover musical moments that extend beyond Westeros.
Los Retros feat. Firelordmelisa: Someone To Spend Time With
Los Retros (aka 19-year-old Mauri Tapia) offers up a downtempo, but sunny single with “Someone To Spend Time With,” out via Stones Throw. His melancholy lyrics (about being lonely, even when surrounded by people) and sweet but forlorn vocals are mirrored by the track’s guest vocalist, Firelordmelisa. While there’s a vintage tinge to the track, it’s contemporary. The visual accompaniment, directed by Ross Harris, is more of the same: relaxed, almost bored poolside scenes; lonesome bedroom moments; and a hazy party.
Divino Niño: Maria
Chicago-based four-piece Divino Niño’s “Maria” finds itself at the intersection of multiple influences and sounds. Sung entirely in Spanish, the song is a single off the band’s forthcoming album, Foam, out 21 June on Winspear. With psychedelic references and plenty of warm vibes, the song burns for exactly three minutes, melding together guitar, blissful harmonies, synths, a shaker or two and more.
Listen Up is published every Sunday and rounds up the new music we found throughout the week. Hear the year so far on our Spotify channel.
