Bongeziwe Mabandla: Bendisiti

This week focuses on artists we discovered while in South Africa during Design Indaba 2014

Seamlessly blending lyrics in Xhosa and English, Bongeziwe Mabandla’s heartfelt folk music explores his journey from a rural town in the Eastern Cape province to a prestigious film school in Johannesburg—all in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. “Bendisiti” puts Mabandla’s richly textured voice and penchant for infectious rhythms on full display—drawing on influences like Lauryn Hill and South African Xhosa vocalist Simphiwe Dana. A …

Ajukaja & Andrevski: Rare Birds

Experimental South London pop, Molly Ringwald's favorite jazz tunes, dreamy synth-pop and more in our weekly look at music

The Estonians have infiltrated the realm of deep house—duo Raul “Ajukaja” Saaremets (“Aju” meaning brain and “Kaja” meaning echo) and longtime friend Andrevski composed analog jams on hand-built equipment in their studio located in the country’s capital, Tallinn. “Rare Birds” is a single from their three-track EP Levels-002, which is the second production from new record label Levels, founded by NTS Radio DJ Jon Rust. …

Small Black feat. Frankie Rose: Lines of Latitude

Experimental South London pop, Molly Ringwald's favorite jazz tunes, dreamy synth-pop and more in our weekly look at music

Brooklyn-based band Small Black add a little more sombreness to their dreamy synth-pop sound with their new track “Lines of Latitude,” from of their upcoming EP Real People. Harmonies with fellow Brooklynite Frankie Rose’s ethereal voice gives this track a Superhumanoids-meets-Shy-Girls (albeit more laid-back) vibe. This mystical love song takes its time without dragging down, thanks to a blend of electronic and acoustic percussion. (Rose …