Waterstrider - "Frayed"

The Warriors aren't the only hot act coming out of the Bay Area right now. Oakland sextet Waterstrider released "Frayed" at the end of April but this has "summertime jam" written all over it. Insistent but not urgent, breezy but not light. Boss.

Finland - "No Low Voices"

Maybe it's an inside joke, but the four members of Finland are actually Norwegian. They include bassist Jo Berger Myhre, who has played for Nils Petter Molvær and who served as my entree to the group and their new album Rainy Omen. "No Low Voices" is the album standout, with a push-pull dynamic endemic to post-rock, but what makes it unique is that the song starts with a pop shuffle and Johnny Marr-esque ringing melodic line that eventually folds in on itself around the three minute mark (your standard pop-song length?) at which point it burrows under a blanket of heavy toms and noise for several minutes before shedding it in a chaotic squall.

Theo Jackson - "Moonchild"

I am absolutely infatuated with this song and the way Jackson's voice soars and dips on that chorus while those brushes shuffle.

Also, whistling. How can you not be a fan of whistling?

The album, Shoeless and the Girl, is out now on Dot Time Records.

Ducktails - "Surreal Exposure"

Another gem from the forthcoming Ducktails LP, St. Catherine. Praise be.

ON AN ON - "It's Not Over"

Completely infatuated with this Minneapolis band right now.  And The Wave Has Two Sides is out July 24th on Roll Call Records and this little taste should convince you to pre-order it.

Bilal - "Satellites"

BILAL IS BACK! And he's affecting the world in subtle but consequential ways. Can't wait to hear the rest of In Another Life.

Ghostly Kisses - "Never Know"

Sometimes, a band name is just perfectly aligned with the music created under the moniker. This is one of those times. Ethereal and lovely stuff. Listen to it below and get it on Bandcamp.