Big Thief: Real Love

We only first heard Brooklyn-based Big Thief back in last October (opening for Here We Go Magic at Bowery Ballroom) and were enraptured by their charged passion and freedom onstage. Since then, the band—led by songwriter Adrianne Lenker—has signed with Saddle Creek and announced their debut album, Masterpiece, set for release 27 May 2016. Off of it, they share their second single “Real Love,” with …

Mitski: Your Best American Girl

New woman crush alert: New York-based Mitski Miyawaki, who goes by her first name when singing songs about her flaws and feelings (keeping the rhythm with her bass). Her latest, “Your Best American Girl,” has a bit of a false first impression: seemingly delicate on its front, it builds into an apex of screaming guitars and Mitski brooding on her identity as “half-Japanese, half-American but …

The Kills: Doing It To Death

With a macabre, clever video to match their song title, The Kill’s latest “Doing It To Death” takes funeral procession choreography to new heights. From sidestepping pallbearers to a smoke-filled eulogy, it steers clear of disrespect in lieu of celebrating physical and sexual effort—altogether making for a beautiful video supporting an entirely enjoyable track.