I first noticed the Bristol, UK native Falcon Lake, aka Leon Piers, with his dark, hypnotic contribution to the great Night Tape put together by Life Crushed (still available for download here). The boy must have felt the Summer days coming since, because he released a much lighter yet equally mind-blowing “Drown” EP via Bad Panda Records a month ago. 90’s-inspired and seriously dreamy, this impeccable collection of “emotive bass” sounds and luscious guitars definitely has what it takes to get you into a pretty atmospheric Spring vibe. Watch out for more from Falcon Lake on Glyph Recordings soon.

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Falcon Lake | The House Falls Down

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Falcon Lake | Shores

MADE IN HEIGHTS is NYC producer Sabzi from Blue Scholars paired with the lush vocal talents of Kelsey Bulkin. The duo teamed up to explore a new genre all of their own, namely mythical filth-pop. The dreamy post-modern R&B is cut from the same cloth as some of Lykke Li’s more minimal tracks, so take notice. APORIA: IN THESE STREETS is MADE IN HEIGHTS’ self-released second EP. Find it here while waiting for an upcoming new release, hopefully real soon.

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MADE IN HEIGHTS | Viices

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MADE IN HEIGHTS | Wildflowers (Exhale Efreet)

Little Star Dweller takes the term “genre-bending” to a new level. They combine old school hip-hop, psyche rap, indie electronica, uptempo R&B, and modern disco. Whatever you call it, their sound is so tight. Hailing from Brooklyn, Little Star Dweller is formerly Nite Club’s Richard Spitzer, MC Phaze Future and percussionist Cru The Dynamic. And boy, do these three deliver. I would absolutely post every single one of their songs if I could, but since I can’t, here are two treats off their Catch A Killer EP, and be sure to check out the highly “jazzed up” remix of Washed Out’s “Echoes“. More here (for free!)

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Little Star Dweller | Catch A Killer

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Little Star Dweller | Stars

Sub-genres can become quite tedious; in this case dream pop, with infinite repetition and interchangeable songs. Occasionally though, there comes a subtle musical genius that helps take a sub-genre to the next level. Or two laid-back music geniuses, Michael Wharfield and Nick Aister just won me over with their impeccable project, Aloha Tigers. Hailing from Bloomington, Illinois these two dudes are set to release their first full-length album soon, and they are giving away two B-side tracks that will surely make your end-of-the-Summer playlist. Aloha Tigers is all about haunting vocals, feather-weight melodies, assumed nostalgia, and a hint of humor, too (see “Nice White People”). God, I love dream-pop. Get these two tracks for yourself and check out some more here.

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Aloha Tigers | Coven

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Aloha Tigers | Nice White People

Rumor has it that Dead Gaze’s latest superjam, “It’s Not Real” has been recorded with marching band bass drums at the band hall of a Mississippi community college. I honestly don’t know about that, but what I do now is that this psych-rock tune was instant love. Dead Gaze is the brainchild of songwriter R. Cole Furlow from Mississippi, who wants to make you feel good about feeling bad. This implies heavy synth-pop, heartfelt vocals, jittery riffs and fuzzy undertones. Start feeling good now with “It’s Not Rea”l, and feel even better in a few weeks, when Dead Gaze’s self-titled 10’’ drops via Group Tightener.

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Dead Gaze | It’s Not Real

Work Drugs is a self-proclaimed “sedative-wave/smooth-fi” outfit that “makes music specifically for dancing, boating, yachting, sexting, and living.” Please, don’t think of it as yet another bordering-on-boring chillwave/lo-fi project. Work Drugs makes some of the finest laid-back pop jams I have heard in a while. Filled with delicate melodies, impeccable rhythms and ethereal vocals that carry both tenderness and nostalgia. Here is a sample of what Work Drugs can actually do for you, along with a cover of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep”. And since I had such a hard time picking up these songs among all the goodness Work Drugs has treated us to, I urge you to check out their soundcloud for much more.

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Work Drugs | Rolling in the Deep (Adele Cover)

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Work Drugs | Catalina Wine Mixer