Sleigh Bells: Hyper Dark

While there might be echoes of “Infinity Guitars” in the intro, Sleigh Bells’ new track “Hyper Dark” proves to be a divergence from their regular programming. There’s lush space around Alexis Krauss’ soft and forlorn vocals, while the moody bass line and glittery synths lend the song a bittersweet but almost sinister vibe. In addition to releasing the rowdier single “Rule Number One” last month, …

Suicide: Dream Baby Dream

Alan Vega—solo artist and one half of Suicide—passed away this weekend, aged 76. Vega (born Boruch Alan Bermowitz) and his bandmate Martin Rev influenced countless musicians (most notably Bruce Springsteen) with their minimal and experimental take on punk music. Their sublime song “Dream Baby Dream” (1979) is one of their best known and most ethereal. At the time, their music sounded quite unlike anything else—proving …

Snakehips feat. ZAYN: Cruel

British electronic-meets-R&B music duo Snakehips (aka Oliver Lee and James Carter) have just released their collaboration with Zayn Malik (aka the Geri of One Direction) and the result is dance-pop at its best. “Cruel” refers to Malik’s object of affection as a “Venus in Converse”—a beacon in a messed up world full of noise, death and tears. It’s a sweet, uptempo tune that ebbs and …