This doesn’t feel like winter. With the surprisingly warm weather making mid-December feel like mid-October, things are all out of whack. I could have chosen livelier, more summery new music for this roundup, but I’m still in denial. So here’s a relatively melancholy mix that’s perfect for the winter that may not even come, featuring the week’s best new songs from under-the-radar acts like Mu, Bloodiest, Cian Nugent, Florist and Kehlani.
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5. Mu – “Debauchery”
Not to be confused with Danish pop star MO (who is also great), Mu is a Vancouver dream-pop duo that’s set to release its sophomore album, creatively titled “Mu II,” sometime in February. “Debauchery,” the debut single from the project, isn’t a party anthem but rather an intriguing sample of aquatic synth-pop and gorgeous harmonies. “Debauchery ain’t what it used to be” indeed.
4. Bloodiest – “Suffer”
I don’t write about heavier music nearly enough at RedEye. Sure, metal might not be a major thing our demo listens to, but local sextet Bloodiest should change that. Recommended for fans of surging riffs, a hefty dose of aggression and a keen sense of melody underneath the musical chaos.
3. Cian Nugent – “Lost Your Way”
Intricately plucked and pastoral guitar music is the type of thing I wind down to after a long day. After hearing the masterful work of Cian Nugent, he’s now going to be on constant rotation on my train ride home. Moving from instrumental compositions to sung lyrics, his new song “Lost Your Way” evokes the best of artists like Kurt Vile, Steve Gunn and Richard Thompson.
2. Florist – “White Light Doorway”
Brooklyn band Florist turned a bunch of heads at this year’s CMJ festival, and what separates this group from the hordes of breakout artists from that event is Emily Sprague’s beguiling, compelling voice and her delicate folk-rock songwriting. That kind of presence is an undeniable asset, and the band’s forthcoming album “The Bird Sang Outside” is sure to be a knockout.
1. Kehlani – “Tore Up”
This technically came out last week, but I was so enamored with the surprise release of Jeremih’s “Late Nights” that I missed the boat. My bad, because this gorgeous R&B ballad showcases a moodier side to the bubbling-over young star.
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