Discover: Børns

Michigan native Garrett Borns, better known by his stage name Børns, has made waves in the pop world with his smooth, quirky electro-pop. There’s nothing Børns can’t incorporate into his music, pulling everything from soft folk to crackling glam rock into his concoctions. Driven by whimsical falsettos and dreamy confessions of love, Børns’ music is all angelic airiness and twisting, silvery melodies, capable of melting even the most stubborn listeners into hopeless romantics. Børns pairs his eccentricly catchy electro-pop with unorthodox lyrics that lend a further sense of surrealism to his music. Lyrics like “paradise, it’s in your eyes, green like American money,” give one the feeling that Børns’ wide-eyed declarations of unbridled love are tempered with a self-awareness and sarcastic playfulness. But that doesn’t prevent any listener from falling head-over-heels into his tempting landscape of starry-eyed romance.

Favorites: “Electric Love,” “Past Lives,” “American Money”

Similar to: MisterWives, Zella Day, Ryn Weaver

Discover: Colouring

Colouring is what would happen if WALK THE MOON turned their energy towards wistful and atmospheric music rather than upbeat radio hits. There are strong overtones of hook-driven indie pop, from the snapping fingers of “Heathen” to the tuneful drums of “White Whale.” But everything is taken down more than a few notches and soaked in yearning and melancholy reflection. “If I Ever Lose Your Love” is the softest and most emotional track among a roster of soft and emotional tracks, relying on cinematic piano-playing and aching lyrics. The piano is a major element in Colouring’s music, but on other songs it is tempered by ambient electro-pop swells and gentle rhythms. Colouring have succeeded in creating a sound that is relentless in its melancholy charm and atmospheric appeal.

Favorites: “Heathen,” “The Wave,” “White Whale”

Similar to: The Japanese House, Moon Taxi, Nightcars