Ascendant Vierge is a new transnational and trans-musical duo formed by Brussels-based lyrical goth-pop singer-songwriter-performer Mathilde Fernandez and Parisian DJ and producer Paul Seul, also known to be the co-founder of the collective Casual Gabberz. Before starting this new project, the two artists already connected in 2018, when Seul remixed Fernandez‘s single “Oubliette”.

In astrology, the virgin ascendancy is known for its prudence and its very orderly side. This sounds pretty ironic as “Influenceur”, their debut single, is anything but quiet and tidy. On the contrary, this is a flamboyant song driven by a gabber beat that pounds hard and fast and Fernandez‘ otherworldly, operatic singing. Sounding a bit like French gay icon Mylène Farmer who would be high on ecstasy, the track sounds both tortured and euphoric, making a bitter observation about social media influencers. There are more tracks on the way from this very unique up and coming duo. Meanwhile, put your fluorescent clothes on and sweat your soul away on “Influenceur”.

These days, the Brooklyn scene can feel like a slog of never-ending synthpop singles. Overwhelmed by ’80s-adjacent hooks that lead into wispy, unintelligible vocals, listeners may be searching for something beyond glittery, mailed-in, bubblegum pop. Enter Couch Prints, the newest addition to the borough’s teeming musical ecosystem. Their newest single “Tell U” will fully sate any desire for a newfound, exciting, and experimental synth-based sound.

“Tell U” sounds like the futuristic robot pop that the world has been craving. Opening electro-embellishments bleed into Brandon‘s steady, thumping keys. As the first verse builds to the euphoric chorus with the help of guitarist Jake‘s powerful guitar riffs, vocalist Jayanna sings, “What can I tell you about the cold sweet ground / Held so firm with my toes fanned out/ How could I tell you about the warm release / No truth only honestly.” A spectacularly danceable instrumental track with equally spectacular lyrics? Yes, please.

Viewing the band holistically, Couch Prints proves to be an eclectic bunch. The origin story of the song is a testament to their nomadic roots: The three got together in Paris, France; wrote the track in Denver, Colorado; and recorded the song in a demolished warehouse in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. They explain how their ambulant lifestyle has affected their music, writing of the single, “The final song reflects that feeling of transience and movement and leaving the past behind; whether that’s moving homes or ending a relationship or just changing yourself day by day.” As the group finally settles down in Queens, NY, it will be interesting to see how their newfound groundedness will be injected into future releases.

For now, it’s easiest to let the lyrics of “Tell U” predict what’s in store for Couch Prints: As Jayanna sings, “Oh, the future is so bright.”

Out now on Lanewood Records, “Church” from singer-songwriter Asia is perhaps the saddest track of the season. Asia‘s music simulates crying in the rain by creating a soundgasm of melancholic vocals overlayed on top of swirling, slug-like guitars. The lack of bass or drums creates a vacuous sparseness that accurately sets the mood for Asia‘s devastating lyrics. She starts off, “I just want to go to church / So God can tell me what to do / But if I’m being honest / I’m too scared… to believe in anything.” As the song builds and transitions from depressing to disturbing, the track finds itself in an almost spooky place. The words reflect this shift, with Asia singing, “Light a candle for me / I’ll be playing in the graveyard / Burying my dreams / Deep down next to my dad’s.” As the track takes on a dissonant, screeching quality, the song takes a very welcome ghostly turn before Asia brings it back to earth.

Though she’s based in Belgium, Asia seems to draw inspiration from the American indie scene, with her music edging into Midwestern emo territory. Her sound bears a striking resemblance to the likes of former Pity Sex lead-singer Britty Drake, even tapping into the pensiveness of Big Thief‘s Adrianne Lenker and nearing the vocal depth of the late Dolores O’Riordan. Suffice to say: Her integrity as a singer goes without question, meaning that her vocals don’t need to hide behind fancy production tricks. Compared to a rising music community that seems to rely heavily on electronic embellishments and unnecessary synths, Asia‘s grounded approach is a welcome one.

While “Church” centers around “loneliness, death [and] even alcohol abuse,” the song never falls too far over into the abyss. The religious undertones and Asia‘s ability to make light of darkness reveals a portrait of a searching person, not a sulking one. More than youthful ennui, Asia is able to communicate a grasp of the severity of existing within the modern era with words that reach beyond her years. The repeated phrase of the chorus– “I’m so altered”– touches on the religious aspects throughout the song, playing with the homophone alter/altar. Is she under the influence of alcohol, or a higher power? No matter the answer, “Church” is certainly a spiritual experience– and a fantastic first showing from a burgeoning Belgian talent.

So Sensitive is a new duo consisting of songwriter and vocalist Kira Clark and drummer and producer Keith McGraw. Formerly based in Portland and recording music as Muscle and Marrow, the duo started to embrace a drastic new sound after the disappointment caused by the 2016’s US election. Feeling reckless and angry, Clark and McGraw decided that it was time to move to Brooklyn and to record under a new moniker. The first album under this new identity, Bedroom Drama, deals with sexual identity, obsession, and sacrifice. It is a feminist collection of sophisticated synth-pop songs where desperation, frustration and liberation collide.

Today, So Sensitive are debuting the first single of the album which was born from an observation of Kira Clark. “I was always the only woman or one of very few at the shows. I had never before been so acutely aware of my embarrassing gender, like an extra appendage, something to quiet,” she explains. Questioning the role of women in our society, the subversive “What’s A Girl To Do?” also comes with a stunning and unsettling video, directed by Chelsy Mitchell. Like most of us, So Sensitive have a lot of things to say and to feel angry about. Listen to their first statement song “What’s A Girl To Do?” below.

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The moniker Lisel might not ring a bell to you and it’s actually pretty normal. This project marks the solo debut of singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Eliza Bagg, also known to be one half of Pavo Pavo. “I had found space in the classical world that made sense for me but I realized I needed to make something that was truly mine, that sprung from my own voice,” explains the artist about this new adventure. After one year of writing and recording, her self-produced debut album is on the way and the first single, “Ciphers,” is already available.

Elegant, pristine yet challenging, the experimental pop of “Ciphers” reminds us of Weyes Blood‘s cosmic and shimmering avant-pop, which is obviously a very good point. And the accompanying Jing Niu-directed music video definitely contributes to the magic. About the visuals, she detailed:

[su_quote]The word cipher has two meanings — it can be a coded message, but it can also be an empty hole, a zero. The song is about the haunting uncertainty in the pathways that have been set out before you, and realizing these courses have become more ambiguous and disorienting than you thought — at best entangled, at worst empty. There’s also, however, the glimmer of trying to find authenticity within that reality — the background choir serving as the basis for the song is simultaneously pure and glitchy, faulty but still true.[/su_quote]

Before adding:

[su_quote]The video is set in three surreal, manufactured landscapes: a celestial beach next to a reflection pool, a dark space where a shadow figure mimics and supports my movement, and a river of red silk. My identity is echoed in the pool and splintered in the shadow figure. [/su_quote]

Watch “Cipher” below and stay tuned for more Lisel‘s music.

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As you might have noticed, Montreal is a promised land for so many artists. It “just has a vibe and an energy that brings out something in people, it’s just an amazing place to create,” as MUNYA was stating in our recent interview.

Today, we introduce you to a brand new act from this exciting city. Comprising of singer-keyboardist Adèle Trottier-Rivard and guitarist Nicolas Basque, Bibi Club are your new purveyors of “living room party music”. Lo-fi and hypnotic, their elegant debut single “La Plage” (“the beach” in French) should obviously make some waves in the coming weeks. Listen below.

Hailing from Oslo, 20-year-old newcomer Brigt writes, records and produces all his music himself with a simple leitmotiv: staying away as much as possible from a computer. Young yet nostalgic, the artist draws influence from old movies, musicals but also from The Beatles, and you can definitely hear this vintage touch in his music. His debut track, “Untitled,” sounds indeed like a hidden treasure that would have been played from a cracking soul vinyl, lost in an attic. His smooth, lo-fi and organic approach recalls some other Scandinavian acts to mind (Miljon, Konradsen, Bella Boo), and we definetely want to hear more from both this up and coming talent and idiosyncratic new scene.

Eugenia Post Meridiem strike gold in their first single “Low Tide”. A four-piece band that’s been based all around Western Europe throughout its short existence, Eugenia Post Meridiem are one of 2019’s most promising indie rock acts. Led by Eugenia’s strong vocal presence and her intimate lyricism, this young Italian group rides the recent wave of visceral singer-songwriters like Tomberlin or the Boygenius gang. However, Eugenia’s vocals and her band’s clean accompaniments make her more of an early Sharon van Etten or Torres, which is obviously a very good thing.

After spending most of last summer recording in Berlin, the band is now set to release their debut album In Her Bones. They’re premiering the album with the gorgeous lead single “Low Tide”, a guitar-based pop song that showcases Eugenia’s touching vocals to great effect. A poignant and personal commentary on the world surrounding her, “Low Tide” is as good of an introduction letter as you can ask for. Starry-eyed and gracious, Eugenia delivers her vocals as if she were in front of a tiny audience in an intimate venue: “Are you gonna be one of them?” she sings just before hitting those beautiful notes in a chorus perfectly adorned by meticulously played guitar licks and bass fills. Though lethargic in tempo and execution, “Low Tide” is no slow-burner – it starts off impressively and remains that way throughout its entire length. As far as debut singles go, it’s hard to get better than this.