Minimal experimental pop duo HOTT MT are back with "At Night in Chinatown", a heavily layered track that continues their streak of splicing a random assortment of gossamer noises that both soothes the ears and captures one’s curiosity. The accompanying video combines a random sorting of visuals that were mostly shot at their warehouse space, best known to most of us DIY gig seekers as Non Plus Ultra (R.I.P.), as well as a few nocturnal shots of, well, Chinatown. 

"At Night in Chinatown" is taken from their forthcoming second album AU, out May 4 via their own label Mutation Records.

 "Mountains", the new single by electro-pop project JOME, is a buoyant reflection on appreciating the good that we oftentimes tend to dismiss. Harbored by its effervescent and gossamer sounds, the duo of Jesse Marc and Christoph Andersson attempt to find joy in the present moment even if the song is essentially about struggling to win someone’s affection. But you really couldn’t tell from the outset, as "Mountains" offers an emphatic declaration that feels very, very alive.

"Mountains" is the first single off of the pair’s forthcoming debut EP, Tunnels.

The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.

"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez

The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.

"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez

The whirling, somewhat isolated beauty of FYOHNA immediately grabs you with its tense drone and aqueous synth textures on their debut single "Ghost Heart." The duo of vocalist Katarina Gleicher and producer/multi-instrumentalist Elliot Glasser provide a polished and sophisticated atmosphere that seems as if they’ve been dong this for years. The song’s experimental strokes give it an ethereal purity, though it also features the kind of chorus that cloaks you with a welcome embrace.

"Ghost Heart" is the first single off of FYOHNA’s self-titled debut EP, which will be released on April 28. They’re also scheduled for a show at Union on May 25. – Juan Rodríguez

Cones, the debut project of brothers Jonathan and Michael Rosen, play a breezy kind of folk rock that resembles the early days of Laurel Canyon with an itch for classic rock. It’s a sound that they both brought together to Eleanor Friedberger’s band, and now they’re conveying that same sense of rumininating drift into their own hands with their new single "Echoes On". It’s an apt title for a song that gently drifts into the sunset with its meandering strums and lean twangy arrangements, now accompanied with an animated music video that charmigly and dreamily illustrates the beauty of being on the road. 

"Echoes On" is taken from the duo’s forthcoming EP, "Whatever You’re Into". – Juan Rodríguez

CFM, the solo project of Los Angeles artist Charles Moothart, depicts an internal battle between self, dreams, and the ego with his latest single “Rise and Fall.” The Los Angeles guitarist – Fuzz and Ty Segall – continues his signature scuzzy garage blend while extracting classic rock and roll elements alongside slacker vocals. “Rise and Fall” is a constant push and pull of known influences such as Black Sabbath and Grateful Dead, not disappointing for those who adore drenched-out solo breaks. Regardless of sounds that echo the voice of CFM, Moothart states, “There’s a lot of stuff on this record that’s extremely out of my comfort zone, but that’s what I’ve come to enjoy in music.”

Dichotomy, Desaturated will be released April 7th via In The Red Records. – Janette Ayub

Rodes Rollins recently revealed her debut EP, Young Adult, a five track EP filled with a smoldering overcast of love, growing up, and becoming who you are meant to be. Young Adult paints a beautifully psychedelic experience, carrying you to and from your past as Rollins’s voice tells a stunning and nostalgic story: “I don’t know what big girls do, they think don’t follow no they decide.” Her storyline begins with her first song, “Young And Thriving”, and ends with “Feedback”, taking her audience on an emotional journey through young adulthood, love, and making your way back while still being in the high of it all. – Kayla Hay

Todavía take you on a romantic, though potentially tragic, excursion with "Our Luck". The project of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Rhyan Riesgo, the track provides a dark shading of heavily textured and lustruous sounds as she succumbs deeper and deeper into a toxic spell. Its’ surging guitars and seraphic tones are really something for the ears to behold, considerig Riesgo came up with this all on her own.

"Our Luck" is currently streaming on all major platforms. Listen to the track below. 

Moon Ensemble have nestled between their sound and identity through a couple of years of experimentation, and now move confidently into the direction of redefining their existence with their track “Future Colors” via CupaDella Records. The Hacienda-Heights quartet ditch the psych-jangles to evolve into a fuller cosmic entity, led by progressive rock undertones, playful synth distortions, and an addictive guitar riff. Opening with sensual vocals, leading towards the band’s dream-state position, “Future Colors” manages to manipulate these elements through a creative composition while simultaneously pulsating through into the dance realm. Thriving through the duality of vocals and constant bursts of energy, Moon Ensemble make a welcoming statement through their sonic palette of new colors. – Janette Ayub

Sensuality takes center stage on Stalgia’s latest video for their indie-electronic fused single “BDY.” The Los Angeles duo highlights desire and pairs the synergism with a back-bone of alternative R&B, resulting in a simple shot build directed by Nova Rockafella. As Lauren Day falls into the immersion of what is felt when “The rhythms of my body feed off you,” the after math becomes a sensory exploration. Focusing on intimate shots fueling the build of the video, Rockafella’s direction maintains a fresh feel by mirroring Stalgia’s sound. Jumping from party scenes, to stripped-down shots of Day understanding the meaning of touch, “BDY” embodies everything it is to carry a heartfelt desire. – Janette Ayub

The Best of LA Folk/Americana Readers’ Poll has just begun and we’ve got our first winner.

Well, winners I should say, as both Shannon Lay and Lael Neale virtually split the vote for us to determine that it’d be fair to declare it a tie. Lael Neale writes stripped-down, spacious ballads that gain potency with her fragile croon. Shannon Lay, on the other hand, conjures ethereal dreamscapes with a haunting display of harmonic interplay.

Shannon Lay is playing the Bootleg tonight, where she’ll be playing songs off of her recently released LP "All This Life Goin’ Down". Lael Neale regularly plays the local circuit, so make sure to follow her facebook account to find out where she’s playing next.

Lael Neale

Shannon Lay