Today's Top Tune

Share the joy of “Three Piece Suit” from the London-based, eight piece collective Kokoroko. The group comes to us with worldbuilding sonic capabilities, sublime talent, and a vision to unite the African continent and its diaspora with us today! P.S. This track features vocals from singer-songwriter (and Massive Attack collaborator) Azekel.

French neo-psych outfit La Femme have the unique distinction of being one of the few bands to present an entirely live show, i.e. one that’s free from computers or pre-recorded backing tracks, when they are on stage. What this means is that when they are live, you are hearing the present moment. Tap into the hypnotic energy fueling the song “Amazing.” 

Alt-rocking, Melbourne-based dream pop quartet Arbes (a play on trees in French), recently released their debut album Counterways. Jess Zanoni’s breathy vocals on “Full Sight” conjure the wistful embrace of Suzanne Vega. The mathematical and intricate guitar work of this track was the first to be written and built for the album, and it came about during their first full rehearsal welcoming new member, guitarist Ryan Basile, into the fold. 

Hometown hero Eddie Chacon, who you might know as half of the duo Charles & Eddie via their ‘90s mega-hit “Would I Lie To You,” is back with his second solo album for Stones Throw Records. Thirty years after the heyday of his pop success and on the heels of his 2023 LP Sundown, Chacon’s new album Lay Low is due on Jan. 31, 2025. As a bonus, it’s produced by one of our other favorite singers — Nick Hakim. “Empire” is a stunningly soulful track featuring the multi-talented LA staple John Carroll Kirby. 

Canadian-Palestinian Nemah Hassan — best known by her musical moniker Nemahsis — navigates her way as an independent artist, a Muslim, and the child of immigrant parents on her debut album Verbathim.  

“Old Body, New Mind” holds the idea that while she looks the same on the outside, her experiences and emotions evolve on the inside. 

Colombian singer-songwriter and producer Elsa y Elmar recently passed through Los Angeles to open for Mexican singer Julieta Venegas. While here, she treated the crowd to a few new songs from her new album PALACIO to great reviews. A dozen tracks run the gamut of genres with standout “Ké Mal” coming across as especially anchored in Elsa y Elmar’s signature “spiritual pop.” Download the track and listen now for an unflinching confessional approach to her craft. 

Kingston, Jamaica native Mortimer sings at the crossroads between classic reggae tradition and the assimilation of R&B and ‘80s pop on his debut LP From Within. The album is an exploration of love, self-discovery, and the many facets of the human condition. Mortimer captures his inner struggles on “Not A Day Goes By” which features Grammy winning artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. 

Thirteen is a lucky number for David Gray who recently announced a robust world tour to coincide with his forthcoming 13th album Dear Life (due on Jan. 17, 2025). 

Gray defines the album by saying: “A lot has happened to me. There’s been change on so many levels, all the ups and downs and dramas and tragedies and joys that the slow movement through life brings. This record has been a reckoning with stuff that’s been building up like static for years. But I say this with joy and a smile on my face. I know what I’ve done is as good as anything I could possibly do.” And on that note, here’s a duet from the forthcoming album — a duet with newcomer Talia Rae called  “Plus & Minus.” 

Mapache songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sam Blasucci swerves into his love of Motown as you’ll hear on the song “Flower.” You can find the track on Blasucci’s sophomore solo album Real Life — a place where he navigates new sonic territory.   

We’ve got a beast of a track to share today by New Zealanders Lips. It’s called “The Wolf” and it features the sinister sound of E from EELS. We’ll let the band explain. 

“E had heard us on KCRW in LA, and reached out on Instagram,” recalls Lip Fen Ikner. “[It was] right around the time we had this track on the boil and were looking for a cool way to end it." "I’ve been an Eels fan for the longest time, and was truly honored to hear from him. I still can’t believe he was nice enough to go along with our nonsense.”