Fans of The War on Drugs and Kurt Vile should find plenty to love about Gun Outfit’s jangly and serpentine “Strange Insistence” as it conjures the dusty memory of the open road. If yo’re not already aware of the young New York rapper MIKE, let his new track “By the Water” make a proper introduction. He does fantastic work pairing dynamic rhymes with samples from classic soul recordings. There’s something about SPORTS’ “Making It Right” that sounds like it was recorded during the ’90s. It’s some incredibly catchy pop-punk, but with a gritty edge that feels indebted to a degree by bands like Veruca Salt and Pixies. You can get it on a new split 7″ with the band Plush that’ll be out in October. If you’re interested in hearing more new music, there’s a bunch more tracks after the jump from artists such as Chynna, Joker, Kaixen (ft. MRKI), Lamb, Luna Shadows, Nick Wisdom (ft. Reva Devito), Prawn, Teen Daze, and Winter.

Gun Outfit – Strange Insistence

MIKE – By the Water

SPORTS – Making It Right

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Even though Brian Wilson is still out on tour performing the classic Pet Sounds album in full for one last time, that hasn’t stopped him (or, let’s be honest, his label) from putting together a collection of solo tracks and rarities. As part of that, you can hear the unreleased song “Some Sweet Day,” which he recorded back in the ’90s with frequent collaborator Andy Paley. I’d also recommend checking out another lovely song from Happy Hollows, which manages to shimmer, sparkle, and soar in a way only they can pull off. There’s a subtle shift in sonic direction on the new SALES track “Talk A Lot” that feels like a very natural evolution for them. The song settles into a very chill groove that’ll hopefully help mellow you out from the mid-week blues. If you follow along after the jump, you can also stream tracks in this set from Bermuda Triangle, Cones, Coucou Chloe, Holy Wars, Lil Durk (ft. Future & Jeezy), Lina Tullgren, Michael Malarkey, MIKNNA, and Chicago’s own Xoe Wise Band.

Brian Wilson – Some Sweet Day

Happy Hollows – Decide

SALES – Talk A Lot

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Credit to The Helio Sequence for calling their song “Out Among the Sheltering Pines” and then making it sound exactly like you would expect a song with that title to. That is to say, it’s a nice, folksy track suitable for a walk in the woods and appreciating the glory of nature. Of course the city has more than its fair share of songs too, and The National Parks contribute a solid one to this set. “Lights in the City” is a memorable slice of indie rock with some sprinkles of synth for that little extra twinkle. There’s a new SLØTFACE record coming out in about 10 days, and if the energetic “Backyard” is any indication, it’ll be a loud, intense, and incredibly fun collection of songs. After the jump, you’ll find more tracks from the likes of Bicep, Club Kuru, Galantis & ROZES, LYOX x Alex Lucas, Mark E. Bassy (ft. Hailee Steinfeld), Ovlov, Trudy and the Romance, Warbly Jets, and more!

The Helio Sequence – Out Among the Sheltering Pines

The National Parks – Lights in the City

SLØTFACE – Backyard

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Let’s close out the month of August strong, with another collection of quality tracks for your streaming pleasure. You may know A. Savage from his work in Parquet Courts, but he’s got a solo album coming out soon that you might want to check out. “Wild, Wild, Wild Horses” is a very moody and atmospheric trip that’s a world away from the messy garage rock of his other band. Then there’s another new one from DOOM, which is a must-listen if you’ve ever been a fan of his particular brand of hip hop. The “Notebook” series is something he’s doing in partnership with Adult Swim, and it’s pulling together some interesting, unreleased pieces of the past. Then there’s another new one from Yumi Zouma, which falls right in line with the sort of addictive synth-pop you might otherwise expect from them. That’s not meant to be a criticism, because they manage to make great art from tried-and-true sounds. Other artists in this set include A Million Machines, Cap Ferrat, Chayo Nash (ft. Rich Homie Quan), Felix Hagan & The Family, Lock Eyes, Mr. Yolk, Teflon Saga (covering Blink-182), Westerman, and Lone’s remix of a Washed Out track.

A. Savage – Wild, Wild, Wild Horses

DOOM – Notebook 03

Yumi Zouma – Persephone

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The playful and loose rhythms that give Anna of the North’s “Fire” an almost tropical rhythm are only a small part of what makes the track so compelling, and a worthwhile way to kick off today’s Pick Your Poison. It’s the sort of bouncy pop song that can get stuck in your head for days. Elliott Brood’s latest “Dig A Little Hole” has the sort of fun, clap-along rhythm that dominates so many fun childhood campfire songs, but with a Simon & Garfunkel-meets-alt-country melody. What a delight. If you like your folk a little psychedelic, a little weird, and a little lo-fi, allow me to turn you on to Jude Shuma through his latest “Lemonade”. Sometimes it’s nice when a song defies easy categorization. Join me after the jump to stream songs from Basenji (ft. Mereki), G Herbo (ft. Lil Uzi Vert), Kid Bloom, KRANE & MYRNE, OCS, PARENTZ, QUIX & Bishu (ft. Cappa), Savoy (ft. Roniit), and RICCI.

Anna of the North – Fire

Elliott Brood – Dig A Little Hole

Jude Shuma – Lemonade

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There’s not an official theme to today’s Pick Your Poison, but there is an exceptionally large amount of dance-oriented music contained in this set. Don’t ask me why, it just worked out that way. Top of the list are the space-infused synth pulses of DEEJ on a track featuring Baths. If that doesn’t satisfy you, maybe TOBACCO’s “Eye Punch” will provide a forceful hit to your ears. Getting some solid Blade Runner-esque vibes from that one. Dance music with a strong R&B influence dominates Wingtip’s latest, which features a dynamic guest vocal from morgxn. Other artists in this set after the jump include DUCKWRTH, Jadu Heart, Lean Year, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Patrick Cowley, Satica, plus some remixes of original tracks from Blondage, Sofi Tukker, and Tricky.

D33J – Wisp (ft. Baths)

TOBACCO – Eye Punch

Wingtip – Cross Your Mind (ft. morgxn)

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Ah, today’s Pick Your Poison is just enough of an eclectic mix to inspire and energize for the weekend ahead. Cults have a new album coming out in October, and true to form it’s another dose of catchy indie pop. The debut solo record from Jack Cooper of Ultimate Painting comes out tomorrow, and in celebration of that he’s shared another track from it. “A Net” reminds me of Mac DeMarco crossed with The Velvet Underground, so if that appeals to you definitely check it out. Fans of electro-pop will want to invest a few minutes with “Downfall,” the rather addictive new cut from Kllo. And I simply cannot get over the gorgeous serenity that oozes out of every pore of “Cavalry,” the latest from Novo Amor & Ed Tullett’s collaborative effort. It’s that serene chamber folk that’ll get you every time. Beyond those tracks, join me after the jump for more songs from BAUM, Chelsea Cutler, EKALI (ft. Denzel Curry), Harlem (covering Lana Del Rey), Jessie Ware, Joker, Joseph of Mercury, and Lindsrom (ft. Grace Hall).

Cults – I Took Your Picture

Jack Cooper – A Net

Kllo – Downfall

Novo Amor & Ed Tullett – Cavalry

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It’s been a good decade since the Michalka sisters (aka Aly & AJ) have made music, probably because they’ve been busy acting and stuff. But that period of reflection and growth appears to have given their sound a refreshing boost, to the point where they’ve actually made a halfway decent pop song. No offense to their earlier material, which had its fans I suppose. This is certainly the first Aly & AJ track I’ll recommend though. Elsewhere, the era of Bon Iver-inspired meditative pop continues to grow, and Haux’s latest “Cologne” manages to show a lot of restraint by maintaining a very sedate piano melody without going for the very obvious, soaring chorus. It’s surprising in a pleasant way, though maybe also just a little disappointing that big time release never quite comes. That’s less of a problem for Slow Magic, who manage to make a solid bit of explosive dance pop in collaboration with Tropics. It’s got beauty and beats in spades, as most great Slow Magic tracks do. Other artists with tracks in this set include Denzel Curry, Jason Nolan, Novi (ft. Tyler Blackburn), Pinkshinyultrablast, Pollyn (ft. Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip), Sol Heilo, Tom Tripp, WAJU (ft. Kyle the Hooligan), and more.

Aly & AJ – Take Me

Haux – Cologne

Slow Magic – Light (ft. Tropics)

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Julie & The Wrong Guys is Julie Doiron’s collaborative project with Cancer Bats, which sounds very ’90s alt-rock. Think like a cross between Veruca Salt, The Breeders and Local H. You can hear a dynamite new one from their forthcoming record if you look just below this paragraph. Fans of quality electronica should jump onto Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s latest “To Follow and Lead,” which reminds me a bit of The Knife (in a very good way). There’s a surging day-glo quality to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart’s new song “My Only,” as surging synths and fuzzed out guitars meet in a gorgeous collision of sound. After the jump, there’s plenty more music from artists such as Adam Jensen, Conner Youngblood x Nylo, Gold Fir, Loyal Lobos, Morly, Radnor & Lee (actor Josh Radnor + Ben Lee), RahRah, Sam Evian, and The Willowz.

Julie & The Wrong Guys – Love and Leaving

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – To Follow and Lead

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – My Only

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It’s always fun when an artist takes a classic hit and reinterprets it to fit their own unique style. The Blow have done exactly that with Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All,” turning it into something that’s pretty much unrecognizable compared to the original outside of the lyrics. While we’re on the path of strange synth/electronic music, maybe give Carmen Villain’s “Borders” a try, as avant-garde artist Jenny Hval adds her signature beautiful weirdness to the proceedings. Part of me hopes that Happy Hollows manage to earn a bunch of new fans for their forthcoming album that’ll be out in early September, as it’s Yeah Yeah Yeahs vibe really deserves attention, particularly since the YYYs have been on break. Give the catchy new Happy Hollows track “Meteors” a try, and see if it sticks with you. Grateful to have Sleep 8 Over back in action again, this time collaborating with Carlson on a slick track that effortlessly blends R&B and skittering electronica. “Don’t Wanna Hide” reminds me of FKA twigs, in a very good way. Other artists in this set after the jump include Baltra, Dent May, Duds, G Herbo, Knightstown, Oliver (ft. MNDR), Prince Fox (ft. Quinn XCII), SAKIMA, and Summer Heart.

The Blow – Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston cover)

Carmen Villain – Borders (ft. Jenny Hval)

Happy Hollows – Meteors

Sleep 8 Over – Don’t Wanna Hide

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Chicago’s own Bunny have their debut EP Sucker coming out later this year, and everything that’s been released from it so far points to much bigger and better things ahead. You can stream another new song below. I’d recommend getting familiar with them sooner rather than later. As is tradition, every new Cut Copy song has the not-so-secret intention of making you dance. We’re being blessed with a new album from them at the end of September, so prepare your body for those BPMs. Fans of rip-roaring rock will surely enjoy the head banging and toe tapping heaviness that is Slothrust’s “Milking the Snake”. Killer stuff from a band that’s really going places. Other tracks in this set after the jump come from Broken Bellows, Geographer, Holy Boy, Nocturnal Tapes, Peter Oren, Prawn, Strange Ranger, Sunny Colon, and Trippy Turtle.

Bunny – Let Me Be Your Dog

Cut Copy – Standing in the Middle of the Field

Slothrust – Milking the Snake

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There’s a certain admiration I have for British band The Duke Spirit, continuing to make music after more than a decade. Maybe they’ve caught on around the rest of the world, but they’re still a somewhat low profile entity in the U.S. Maybe it’s time for that to change with a new record out later this year. Check out the psychedelic track “Houses” and see if they’re for you. If you’re in the mood for some nice electro-pop with a slight funk edge to it, let me turn you on to the latest from Jim-E Stack. Fans of world-weary singer-songwriter folk can dive right into Micah P. Hinson’s “Oh, Spaceman”, which progresses into a beautiful and lush arrangement as it moves along. Other artists in this set after the jump include BROHUG, Chris McClenney, Diamond Thug, Galimatias, iamBADDLUCK, Living Colour, PLGRMS, Dylan Reynolds, and TOKiMONSTA (ft. MNDR).

The Duke Spirit – Houses

Jim-E Stack – I Did the Best I Could

Micah P. Hinson – Oh, Spaceman

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