ROUGH ONLINE BEST MUSIC OF THE WEEK #28

Having grown up together in their home country of Ireland, Xona and Elliott Mo, known collectively as XO MO, have always looked to find new and interesting sounds since starting the project together, and that explorative nature has led them to their latest release ‘Bad Habit’. Channelling a soaring RnB aesthetic and filling it with eccentric production makes this new offering one of their most interesting and ambitious to date.

With their debut single ‘Drama Queen’ already racking up hundreds of thousands of streams around the world, Irish indie-pop four-piece Milk. Now look to continue their upward ascent with the release of ‘Temperature’. Taking influences from contemporaries like The 1975, this new release couples euphoric pop-rock production with a notable RnB tinge that gives their return a refreshing new angle.

Following on from the success of her debut single ‘Don’t Bother’, which has already amassed hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, Irish singer and songwriter Aimeé now returns with her latest pop banger ‘Break Me’. With a soaring and anthemic production, her newest return sees her take the direction of her debut and ramp up the energy all the way to eleven on this pounding new belter.

With his previous releases ‘Black Diamonds’ and ‘Sacrifice’ already giving his growing fanbase plenty to mull over, Berlin-based producer Demetrius now completes the previews of his debut EP with the release of ‘Speed Of Life’. Since moving to the German capital, he has fallen in love with the country’s thriving techno scene, and has incorporated this into his more pop-laden direction to create a strong and euphoric new cut.

Having made a name for themselves channelling the same dark and ethereal pop as Vera Blue and BANKS, downtempo synth-pop duo Illyin Pipes now look to establish themselves has a true innovator of their scene with the release of their debut EP ‘Lose You’ and its sweeping title-track. Filled with broad and euphoric keys and the soothing vocals of frontwoman Jill Harris, this new offering brings the two to new heights as they explore more of what their sound can offer.

After spending last year releasing string of euphoric and ambitious dance-led singles, Swiss-American songwriter and vocalist KIIRA now returns with her latest offering ‘Four Letter Word’. Seeing her take on a more sombre and subdued direction, this new release highlights the beautifully airy tone of her voice, while channelling the ethereal eeriness of artists like Lana Del Rey.

Blvckhaze – ‘SWA’

Hailing from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, Blvckhaze now looks to bring her native dancehall influences to the UK as she unveils her latest single ‘SWA’. Lifted from her soon-to-be-announced mixtape, this new jam brings together the sultry RnB stylings of artists like Rihanna with a distinctly hard and thumping bashment sound that best reflects her direction to date.

Originally known for penning hits for various country music stars at the start of her career, Atlanta-based singer and producer Seersha has now begun to make a name for herself in the electro-pop world as she returns with her latest cut ‘Lecture Me’. Building on notable influences such as Robyn and Purity Ring, this latest release sees her in fine form as she swoons and serenades us through this wistful and euphoric new gem.

Having already established themselves amongst the diverse and eclectic sounds of Brighton, Swoon have now chosen to pay homage to their hometown on the equally eccentric ‘Bubble’. With its bold and unabashed sound, this new offering sees the punk-inspired outfit knock out a string of brash electronics on this stunning new single, taking cues from the likes of Crystal Castles as they go.

With his 2017 EP ‘AFTERIMAGE’ continuing to grow in popularity, Nashville-based singer and producer R.Lum.R, now signed on to major label Island Records, returns to deliver his latest jam ‘How This Feels’. Continuing the warped and otherworldly RnB aesthetic he has always conjured, this new release sees the frontman bring one of his most confident additions to date on this sultry new offering.