XYLAPHONE | david andrew sitek feat. tinashe

Even though this track was released earlier this year, it is necessary that I write about it still. It is so good. It reminds me of the music that Tinashe was self-releasing through her EPs Reverie, In Case We Die,  and Black Water. It has her breathy vocals, sultry lyrics, and alt-r&b beats. There's something very seductive about this track. Together, these are all the things that made me fall in love with her.

I only wish her album debut-album Aquarius was more like this. Less hip-hop, more alt-r&b. But I must say: I love love "How Many Times."

"How many times can we make love in the night?"

SOLO DANCING | indiana

Introducing: British singer-songwriter Lauren Henson, aka Indiana ("the girl not the state"). Thanks to my good friend Kat who sent me her track "Solo Dancing," I now have it on repeat. 

"Solo Dancing" builds up so perfectly. Her voice, the beats, the composition of it all work so well. There are moments in the song where I think of "Tick of the Clock" by the Chromatics. I love the build up in both tracks. You can call it hipster make-out music, if you want. Haha. What can I say? I love the build up.

Check out the video. There is so much solo dancing: choking the chicken, hitting the meat, petting the pussy, flicking the bean, and even flicking Mr. Bean himself. As suggested by the title and the music video in particular, the track is about wanking. Watch as Indiana plays with the metaphors below.

Sometimes, when you want the job done well, you have to do it yourself. As much as we can try, sometimes you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

artist to watch | laura welsh

Introducing British singer-songwriter Laura Welsh. Just a few days ago, she released her self-titled EP. And, with just four songs on it, Welsh manages to provide us with an impressive debut. I gave myself a few days to digest her material, but her talent is recognizable on the first listen. 

"Ghosts" opens the EP with Welsh's strong vocals. The song itself is reminiscent of the sound of Adele with Florence + the Machine (a similar yet different Welch). Co-written with John Legend, "The Hardest Part" slows down to allow Welsh's voice to draw you in. This is my favorite song off her EP. With her emotive voice and its slow-tempo beats, the track is a beautiful confessional song about her vulnerability to that special someone. Trust me, and press play now.

"Break The Fall" resurfaces her strong vocals as she sings about her cynicism towards love.

"Cold Front" closes the EP with another example of her artistic versatility -- she doesn't have to sing alongside beating drums with every song. She can move you in more ways than one.

With her self-titled EP, Laura Welch successfully delivers a good collection of sultry, soulful pop songs. It is a work of beautiful, tasteful, and well-crafted adult pop confection. Thank you, Laura Welsh, for this impressive debut.

Her self-titled EP is available on itunes and all digital formats now.