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Lovely new track from Omaha, Nebraska band Saddle Creek, released as they announce their sophomore album Mask. The album, which comes with 3D album art and glasses, is released through Saddle Creek on 11 May and can be pre-ordered here.
Massive track here from Toronto band For Esmé who sound little like CHURCHES meets Robyn. Expect intense hardcore emotive synth pop. Just Yet is taken from forthcoming album Sugar. You can check the band out at the forthcoming WAYHOME festival.
A lovely chilled track for your Sunday from Meeka Kates. Meeka started this track in the summer back when he was living in LA, but recently completed it in Lyon, France. He has tried to capture both the warm summer and wintery elements of these two places and times in the sound and you can really hear that come through. A perfect track for a blustery day by the sea, watching the waves hit the shore. Personally it reminds me of Watergate Bay down in Cornwall, full of wet-suited surfers and kite buggies.
Double-bubble for your Phoebe Ryan needs today... We've got the new Jon Hoeg directed video for Mine, below, and it's every bit as lovely as you would expect. Below that we a Michael Keenan remix of the same track featuring a new verse from rapper Skizzy Mars. Nice.
Another big release from one of this year's most exciting artists, Jack Garratt. Chemical is one of the most upfront dance tracks we've heard from Garratt so far, with some insane grime bass lines, syncopated rhythms and those trademark falsetto vocals coming together to mark a heartfelt bluesy dance-floor freak-out.
Chemical comes as Jack confirms the release of his sophomore EP, The Synesthesiac EP, due on Island Records on 13 April. The EP is also set to include The Love You're Given, which Jack previewed late last year - it can be heard via Soundcloud below and remains one of my favourite tracks of the past year.
Alongside the new release Jack has announced a second live date at London's Village Underground, after the first date sold out in under 48-hours. The new gig is scheduled for 25 May. The Village Underground dates come at the end of an also just announced full tour, and tickets can be grabbed here for just £8 (£10 in London). The full tour dates are as follows:
13th May – Exeter, Cavern
14th May – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
15th May - The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
16th May – Oxford, Academy 2
18th May – Birmingham, Hare and Hounds
19th May – Manchester, Academy 3
20th May – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
21st May – Bristol, Thekla
25th May – Village Underground, London
26th May – Village Underground, London SOLD OUT