Earlier this week, I ended up in the emergency room. Obviously, I am okay. In a fit of what doctors might describe as “eating too fast,” some steak got itself stuck and decided to stick around for a few hours. It was an unwelcome guest and I would have preferred to not feel deeply uncomfortable for 7+ hours, but it re-taught me a lesson many learn in childhood: chew your food thoroughly. So, much like the lesson learned this week, take these new songs and chew on them slowly. Digest them and savor them.

Vitesse X – “Realize”
Roll down your car windows, get on the highway at dusk and just drive; t; watch the sunset glow while the wind whips fiercely through your car. New York Producer + DJ Vitesse X makes music that can feel both ephemeral and wispy while club-ready at the same time. This week, she dropped “Realize,’ a dream pop-esque banger than feels like the kind of music that plays at the end of a coming-of-age film (Dir. John Hughes).

Lionlimb – “Dream Of You” (Feat. Angel Olsen)
Lionlimb is a two-piece featuring Stewart Bronaugh and frequent collaborator Joshua Jaeger (drums). With a new album on the way, Lionlimb’s Stewart Bronaugh creates mesmerizing soundscapes that are enigmatic and otherworldly. This week, they’ve released “Dream Of You” featuring folk rock titan Angel Olsen. Slow and ominous, Angel’s voice floats over mid-tempo pangs of synths and slow percussion, the track echoes 1960’s lounge music with its haziness.

GIFT “Wish Me Away”
Two years ago, New York City based GIFT released their debut record Momentary Presence. Now, having signed to Captured Tracks, the band is back with a second album (some would call this a sophomore album) and have released “Wish Me Away.” The track is a post-punk, perfectly danceable tune that dives deep into the feeling of everything slipping away from you. It’s very catchy. Dreamy? Yes. Poppy? Also yes. Dreampoppy? Some would say.

The Marías – “Lejos de Ti”
The Marías last single, “Run Your Mouth” has been in HEAVY rotation for me since its release, and I suspect their newest track “Lejos de Ti” will follow suit. Their new album Submarine was announced last month, and the Los Angeles-based three-piece came out swinging with “Run Your Mouth” and continue swinging with ““Lejos de Ti,” a hazy and pulsating ode to facing the darker memories of a relationship.

words and thoughts by Conor Rooney