Soundclouds of the Underground: Summer Soundtrack Edition

ABOVE: (MOST OF) HOCKEYSMITH

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

Now that we can take music just about everywhere we go, it seems like any situation is ripe for a soundtrack, even if it’s just sitting on a couch eating cheese puffs with friends. That’s why we’ve provided the below playlist for your next kickback—when everyone else’s iPhones don’t have any good music, or no one wants to put in the work of playing DJ, these tracks will help you be the hero of the hangout.

Hockeysmith: “Let’s Bang”

Who: Made up of Cornish sisters Georgie and Annie, the band crafts sultry, sublime indie-pop that is effortlessly of the moment. Their sound can oftentimes overlap with that of The xx (and even more so the Pixies), but less is being held back here. The music can be minimal, but with looming synth cries and echoed guitar riffs complementing the dramatic, beautiful vocals, it is never mousy.

The Song: Although the title doesn’t beat around the bush, “Let’s Bang” is far more enigmatic than it lets on. A soft and swift drum pattern sits under piano and the girls’ sultry singing, which, at certain moments, hits a harmony on the head.

Current Project: “Let’s Bang” was just released yesterday, but keep up with what the band does next via their website.

Wookie: “The Hype” (featuring Eliza Doolittle)

Who: Real name Jason Che, London-born Garage legend Wookie is known to many as an important pillar of dance music as we know it. Having been rather quiet for a time, Wookie began making new music in 2012, with the killer “2 Us.” Nowadays, the legendary producer runs Space and Time records, his own label under RCA/Sony Music, and is, lucky for us, cranking out some tunes of his own.

The Song: Doolittle is known by many for her Disclosure collaboration, “You & Me,” so it’s only fitting that there’s a tinge of the production duo’s style emitting from the fun dance track. But being that Wookie is a known influencer of groups like Disclosure, he takes things to another level; a crazy percussion pattern and a ultra-catchy bass melodies mesh perfect with Eliza’s soulful vocals.

Current Project: Check out more of Wookie’s stuff by logging into his Facebook page.

Who: You may be familiar with Tirzah from her frequent work with Micachu of Micachu & the Shapes; songs like “Untitled (No Romance)” prove the two to be a good team, with Tirzah’s sexy, R&B-fueled vocals flowing nicely over the innovative producer’s quirky beats.

The Song: “I’m Not Dancing” finds the duo at it again—Micachu builds a cool dance beat with peculiar sounds, like a humming baseline, the banging of sticks, and the occasional flute. Tizrah compliments all this with the simple phrasing of her warm vocals.

Current Project: Tirzah’s I’m Not Dancing EP is available August 5th, but you can pre-order it now on iTunes.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.