Aurgasm

electropop // dream pop

Melbourne-based Helen Croome, better known by her stage-name Gossling, sings tales of love and heartache. Harvest Of Gold (2014) is a blend of whimsical harps, playful leftfield pop and disco glamour that brings to mind Danish electro-pop sirens Oh Land and Hannah Schneider. Yet it is Helen’s hypnotic voice that sets her apart. Her dreamy, eerie child-like delivery is distinct and perfectly layered with heart-warming musical arrangements.

Gorgeous and ambitious debut.
Gossling – Harvest of Gold
Gossling – A Lover’s Spat
+ Purchase/Visit

folk-pop // singer-songwriter

French chanteuse Mina Tindle, a.k.a. Pauline de Lassus, delivers breezy cool songs. Following the line of bright and clever indie-pop from the likes of Feist, Mina crafts little pieces of pop perfection. Her style ranges from acoustic folk ballads to buoyant piano-driven pop, while she moves effortlessly between English and French lyrics. “To Carry Many Small Things” is driven by an upbeat, toy-piano arrangements that brings to mind French superstar Camille. “I Command”, from the new album Parades (2014), is a true pop gem.

Subtle yet incredibly catchy sound.
Mina Tindle – I Command
+ Purchase/Visit

english folk // pop

Keston Cobblers Club delivers a joyous blend of traditional-feeling folk melodies, toe-tapping rhythms and a slightly quirky vibe. While comparisons to the early Noah and the Whale, Mumford & Sons and Beirut are inevitable, the British quintet’s take on English folk revival is unique and refreshing. The album opener, “The Children Who Wear Socks On Their Heads”, A Scene of Plenty (2013), leads with frenetic accordion and percussion is a high-energy foot-stomping musical extravaganza. “You-Go”, taken from the band’s debut album One, For Words (2012), is a delightful pop-folk gem. Don’t miss the band’s take on Vampire Weekend’s “Ya Hey!” with some vintage animation.

Infectiously joyful.
Keston Cobblers Club – The Children Who Wear Socks On Their Heads
Keston Cobblers Club – You-Go
+ Purchase/Visit

pop français // singer-songwriter

French pianist and composer Albin de la Simone is best known for his collaborations with Jeanne Cherhal, Vanessa Paradis and Keren Ann. Although Un Homme (2013) is his fourth solo album, de la Simone is still relatively anonymous among contemporary French chansonniers. His lyrics are clever and his melodies engaging, but what makes de la Simone stand out is his voice and remarkable subtle string and piano arrangements. “Moi Moi”, featured below, is a delightful duet with the lovely Emiliana Torrini.

Elegant songwriting with a dose of whimsy.
Albin de la Simone & Emiliana Torrini – Moi Moi
Albin de la Simone – Le Fuite
+ Purchase/Visit

minimalist pop // electronic

Japan-based Lullatone’s latest EP Falling For Autumn (2013) is a soundtrack of adorable lap-pop (seriously, it’s a genre) tunes and minimalist arrangements for cold weather. The duo’s sound incorporates whimsical layers of samples, claps, whistling and toys that combine into delicate, meandering melodies, which will keep you warm and cozy. While you will have to trust us that the EP is best enjoyed as a coherent piece, here we only have two samples: “The Biggest Pile of Leaves You Have Ever Seen” and “Raindrops Plucking the Last Leaves from a Tree”.

For these cloudy autumn days.
Lullatone – The Biggest Pile Of Leaves You Have Ever Seen
Lullatone – Raindrops Plucking The Last Leaves From A Tree
+ Purchase/Visit