Oliver Bouchard

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Legend for a Moment

When Elke and I talk about old music favorites, the Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW) always comes up. This was an exciting moment in German music when local bands with German lyrics adopted new wave and post-punk from Britain. Before that, the 60s and 70s-style Schlager Musik (Hit Music) ruled the

Song Pick of the Day

La Force - protection

The Montreal-based singer/songwriter Ariel Egle, aka La Force, released a “plus” version of her 2023 album XO Skeleton with three new tracks added on a (virtual) second disc. Ariel sums up the vibe of the chill, poetic single “protection:” “Protection is the fruit of vigilance. Protection is laughing when

Song Pick of the Day

Moniah - Sweet Escape

What is wrong with enjoying yourself? “I’m wanting a sweet escape,” sings London singer/songwriter Moniah when she thinks of dropping the pressure of fulfilling the expectations of others. The fast-paced, upbeat songs let you dream of escaping the grind on Friday afternoon for a few days. Moniah says

Song Pick of the Day

Mae Deline - Hate That I Hate You [Video]

“Hate That I Hate You” perfectly describes the state of mind after a breakup. The LA singer/songwriter Mae Deline does not only want to reconcile with her former lover; she also despises any strong feelings towards that person. And so the song flips unexpectedly from cheerfulness into sadness several

Song Pick of the Day

Ela Minus - BROKEN [Video]

“BROKEN” is arguably the most upbeat pop song that Ela Minus has released so far. Until you listen to the lyrics. “I started writing this thinking I was perfectly fine and finished writing knowing I was not,” she admits, and the song reflects this conflict: shimmering synths and cheerful vocals

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The Great Escape

It is October, and we are closing in on the first SXSW Music announcement. From 2013 to 2019, this was a major cause for excitement for us: the moment when our days at the festival began taking shape. In 2020, the pandemic ended our SXSW streak. But while I would

Song Pick of the Day

Jenny Newman - PDA

Today, the LA-based singer Jenny Newman releases her second EP, Love Languages, dedicated to the much-discussed five love languages. The songs alternate between pop and rock and, as a whole, are a delightful, feel-good experience. “PDA” is an engaging track that does not beat around the bush: in the heavy

Song Pick of the Day

ROSIN - nest

“I fell in love. For the first time in years it was a love that felt healthy and was reciprocated,” says Berlin-based singer/songwriter ROSIN. With her new song “nest,” you can indulge with her in one of the most beautiful and intense moments in a relationship. ROSIN further explains:

Song Pick of the Day

Siobhan Sainte - Orchid

Siobhan Sainte is a dark pop singer/songwriter based in New Zealand. “Orchid” – only her fourth song since 2017 – is “a fantasy land where everything’s pretty, sparkly intense.” Airy vocals, ethereal synths, and heavy beats alternate in a mythical sonic journey. Siobhan explains: “I wanted it to be super

Newsletter

What Are They Thinking?

We are fans of the FX TV show “The Bear” since we – somewhat accidentally – stumbled over the first episode. Since then, the show has racked up 23 Emmy Awards and many raving reviews. It is nice to find something early and be on the mainstream for a while. However, season

Music

Lloren - Mad Woman

“Dreams are a dangerous thing for a woman like me,” sings UK singer/songwriter Lloren. Her new song, “Mad Woman,” is a slow-burning, cinematic track that calls for a video filmed in the desert. Lana Del Rey is an apparent musical reference point here, but maybe also as somebody who

Music

Sytë - Give Enough

“Give Enough” is a lighthearted story that probably has a happy ending. The new song by NYC duo Sytë of Nita Kaja and Drin Tashi is an upbeat, bouncy production that lights up any playlist. Listen to our Song Pick of the Day, “Give Enough,” on Apple Music, Spotify, or

Music

Housewife - Life of the Party [Video]

“Life of the Party is the closest I’ll ever get to making the music 13 year old emo me wanted to make,” says Brighid Fry aka Housewife about her new song “Life is a Party.” Everybody is having fun, but you decide you don’t because life is complicated

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Stranger Cat - Witness

We saw the singer, songwriter, and producer Cat Martino, aka Stranger Cat, live at CMJ 2015, and I remember this show as beautiful and mysterious – in particular because I did not hear much of her in the years after. Fortunately, I subscribed to her newsletter, so I know she will

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The Future of Music Began Ten Years Ago

The new FKA twigs single “Eusexua” is excellent and I’m happy about that. twigs, like Grimes, is an artist I have been following from the beginning of her career and feel a personal connection to, despite both having grown into global stardom. 10 to 15 years ago, music discovery

Music

FKA twigs - Eusexua

When FKA twigs appeared out of nowhere at the beginning of the last decades, she released two EPs with songs that required the invention of new genres. Her latest release, “Eusexua,” feels again closer to her origins than most of what she released in the last years: more synth-pop and

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Oklou - family and friends

Marylou Mayniel has been making music in Paris under the name Oklou since 2024. Her first solo single since 2020, “family and Friends,” is a beautifully restrained, ethereal synth-pop track that eschews drums or percussion for the most part. Listen to our Song Pick of the Day on your favorite

Music

Dawn Cadence - holywater

Dawn Cadence, the musical alter-ego of Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer Vanessa Richardson, makes dark, experimental pop music in the veins of early FKA twigs (who has found back to her old form with her latest offering). Her latest song, “holywater,” is a tight, restrained piece, building up to a

Newsletter

Kissed by the Moon

Was the music scene better in New York City twenty years ago? This is a question we can ask ourselves directly because when we immigrated to the United States in April 2001, we lived on the Lower East Side, and “indie sleaze” was happening right there in our neighborhood. In

Music

Carlita - Wish You Knew

Carla Frayman, aka Carlita, is an international DJ, producer, and classically trained musician. While she is known for playing dance bangers at clubs and festivals, she now wants to go the next step and release her own music. “Wish You Knew” is an atmospheric house track with the genre-typical one-line

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aimei 媚 - Dark Arts

“Dark Arts” is about an unhealthy infatuation with somebody who seems to know how to pull all the right triggers. Trapped as she may be, it remains unclear if she even wants to escape. aimei 媚 – the Chinese character is simply her name – is a Bejing-born, London-based pop singer/songwriter,

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Shealagh Rose - Radio Silence

Silence can become very loud and enraging if essential things cannot be said anymore. “Radio Silence” is a common term for that kind of situation. The Canadian singer/songwriter Shealagh Rose put this into a song, and don’t think she takes it as cool as it appears at the

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sadplanet - walk

Shoegaze – music that hits you with a wall of layered guitars and washed-out vocals – is back in full force. sadplanet are five new, faithful practitioners from London, and their third single, “walk,” showcases the genre in all its beauty. Singer Kyra Ho tells her story like a distant memory, while

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Dance to the Machines

I have previously mentioned the Ableton Podcast Doing Music and cannot recommend it highly enough. Roughly every week, producer (and Ableton employee) Craig Schuftan interviews musicians about music, and it is fascinating to get a glimpse into how these creative minds work. The last installment was a bit different: it

Music

Ally Evenson - One Trick Pony [Video]

This song came up on Spotify yesterday, and I have had it on repeat since then. “One Trick Pony” is the new song by Detroit singer/songwriter Ally Evenson, who crossed our paths already in 2020 with her EP Not So Pretty. The track is indie pop at its sweet