Music Reviews
What I love about Fridays isn't that I get to log off work early (well, maybe a little) or that I have an excuse to attend happy hour...it's that I'm guaranteed new music. And now that we are fully in June, artists are churning out albums and singles to get us through the summer months. This week, especially, is a hot spot for new bangers for your playlists.
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I moved to the New York City area last August, and one of the first venues I heard of was the elusive Brooklyn Mirage. It’s a live music venue located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York where any DJ whose anybody plays night after night in the summer. It draws huge crowds, fans of EDM and people who just like dance music come together in this courtyard-esque venue.

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Australian indie-pop group, Boy & Bear, have become hometown heroes for a reason. They know how to work a crowd, hyping them up with their unique sound and a beat that can make anyone want to move. Over the past ten years, Boy & Bear have created beloved tracks that have solidified their place in music history...and now they're back with their fifth LP, Boy & Bear.

Boy & Bear is filled with 11 classics. With songs like "Strange World" and "Silver Moon", you can already imagine venues packed full singing along. The band is known for their stadium tours, where they play to crowds of over 65,000 in Australia and have sold out international tours multiple times in a row. Their music is perfect when played live, something any fan can attest to.

What's unique about this album is that it is wholly Boy & Bear. They self-produced it, creating most of it in their own studio, and putting their entire identity as a band into this fifth album. It's only right that it's self-titled. You can listen here:



Dave Hosking of Boy & Bear sat down with Popdust to talk about self-producing their own album, Boy & Bear, and more!

Congratulations on your fifth studio album, Boy & Bear! How did it feel different writing this album than any other one before?

Well this one was self-produced so we were really working collectively to get the songs to a good place. We also worked a lot out of our own studio next door to the main studio which allowed us to experiment with different sounds and effects. There is something nice about working locally, there’s often more time to work the songs and you really get to chip away slowly, pushing and pulling the tracks as needed.

What was the inspiration behind the album as a whole?

I think from a sonic perspective we were enjoying the connection between digital sounds and organic sounds. We used drum machines a lot more and wanted to create a hybrid between the hypnotic nature of the drum machines and the more organic elements of performance. Lyrically I think the songs are a lot about the fragility of our own minds. I’m often fascinated by this, the ability to persevere through adversity, to adapt, to dig deep in times of distress and reflect on what we are all capable of achieving.

What was your favorite memory creating your self-titled album?

I think my favourite memories are of when the song really starts to click. That moment when you hear back the final arrangement and feel a strong sense of excitement and achievement. There’s nothing better than hearing the final product come together.

You’re known for your incredible live performances, being one of Australia’s best-selling acts. What’s your favorite part about performing live?

I think performing live really is really important to us. It allows us to show our musicianship and to adapt the songs where needed to the live environment. I love the feeling of performance, the free fall that comes from losing yourself in the music in front of a big crowed. It’s pretty special.

You have a few shows coming up this summer in Australia….what can fans expect from these shows?

We’ve definitely changed the set list up from previous tours, digging deeper into the catalogue but also sharing some of the newer songs. If we get it right it will really demonstrate the vast variety between the songs and hopefully people will appreciate that.

If you had to name a few favorite tracks off the album, what would they be and why?

I really love strange world. I think the arrangement is just so solid and I’ve always loved the lyric. I think it’s a great example of where the arrangement really amplifies the story. The drums to me always felt like they were representing this real sense of determination and energy which suits the songs lyrical drive and sense of hope. I also really love Crossfire. I love playing around with my falsetto and was just super happy at where the vocal finished up. I think the end result was something super hypnotic and full of emotion.

What was it like self-producing and recording Boy & Bear?

It’s always interesting having five chefs in the kitchen (so to speak) but I think we navigated this well. We’ve learned over the years that different people in the band bring certain strengths and weaknesses and you really have to know when to speak up and when to just get out of the way of someone else’s ideas. I’m proud of the fact that we did this on our own and I think it shows what we are capable of achieving when we’re at the helm!

One thing about Brasstracks is that he can make a collaboration with just about anyone and it's a guaranteed hit. But you don't really need me to tell you that, ask his Grammy awards for songs like Chance The Rapper's "No Problems" or Harry Styles' "Watermelon Sugar." He's collabed with big names across all genres like Anderson .Paak, Khalid, and Mac Miller, and his recent singles are no exception.
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DYLVN radiates positivity into the world. You can hear it in his music and you can tell through his social media that he truly enjoys creating the tracks he shares with his fans. A natural-born storyteller with a special way of spinning those stories into songs that everyone can enjoy listening to.

Hailing from San Clemente, California, DYLVN knows how to make a sunny track reminiscent of summery weather and good vibes all around. We first saw DYLVN break through the music industry in 2020 with his single "Dust Of Love", garnering him an instant, well-deserved fanbase thanks to his powerful and soothing vocal range and relatable lyrics. His music felt refreshing and his songwriting proved he deserved a place on our Spotify playlists.

Over the past three years, DYLVN is making his mark on the world through his songs. Now, he's back with a new EP, "Tell Them Stories", a song dedicated to all of the people who supported his music along the way. It's an uplifting track, catchy in all the right ways, an easy add to your playlist. It's good for driving, singing with your friends, and playing on repeat.




DYLVN sat down with Popdust to talk about his new single and what to expect from the rest of this year. You won't want to miss it, so check it out below!

Congratulations on your new EP “Tell Them Stories!” What was your inspiration behind it?

Thanks so much!! Truly I’m a very talkative person and love saying what’s on my mind.. I love hearing people’s stories and also sharing mine with my fans. I wanted to express the importance of not taking life so seriously.. and how all experiences (good or bad) lead to a good damn story! So tell them!

What was your favorite memory creating the track?

Meeting my friend John Samuel. We made this track the first day we met and the rest is history! The whole experience was insane to make this one. Forever will be a special one.

“Tell Them Stories” is an ode to the people in your life who believed in you along the way. How has that support kept you motivated while creating music?

It’s what keeps me goin! I believe in this so much and to have the people I do in my corner keeps me sane. I love bein with them, and can’t thank them enough for all the sacrifices they make to help. When this becomes big I want them to know we gonna be LIVING! Just gotta keep goin!

You write a lot about your personal experiences. What experiences are the easiest for you to write about and what are the hardest?

I think it really comes down to a lot of variables. I feel like I can write about a lot but it might feel really abstract sometimes... Any experience that gets me emotional is easy to write about, which is almost everything lol. I feel like I have a nostalgic disorder which makes me value a lot of moments when they become a memory.

How does “Tell Them Stories” represent your new era of music after your debut album?

I’m older, have grown as a person, more confident in who I am as an artist and as a human. This era has become more vulnerable naturally as I’ve progressed. This is me and everything that has brought me to this point in my life.

What artists are inspiring you right now?

Been listening to a lot of Bob Marley, Posty, Benee, Jack Harlow. Love their originality so much.

What’s next? Any tours or a new album on the way?

More music, more music, and more music! No tours yet.. But got some shows comin soon!

Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent by Lewis Capaldi

LEWIS CAPALDI / CAPITOL RECORDS

Aannnnddd we're back with another weekend playlist curated by yours truly. Luckily enough for all of us, this time of year is a hotspot for releasing new music. As I mentioned last week, we are now witnessing the competition for Song Of The Summer, and honestly I don't know if we've heard it yet.

So this week I'm feeling extra hopeful that more music is here to get us through these next few hot months. Nothing complements those days spent roasting on the beach quite like having a playlist to get you through. It's almost as essential as staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen - almost.

Every week, I'm scouring Spotify New Music Friday playlists, I'm taking in recommendations, and I'm listening to the songs myself. I'm specifically choosing songs that will stand out to you and your friends as you pack your schedule with weekend getaways and parties on rooftops.

This week, we have new music from the lovely Lewis Capaldi, Popdust favorite Austin Millz, and more...so it's turning out to be one of my fave playlists yet. Here's my new playlist of songs that came out around today, May 19.

Lewis Capaldi - Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent



The thing about Lewis Capaldi is that he will never disappoint. His voice is unmatched, leaving nothing to be desired and everything on the table. It's what got him chart-topping records like "Someone You Loved" and "Before You Go", and this new album is no exception. After a raw documentary and vulnerable, triumphant singles like "Wish You The Best" and "Haven't You Ever Been In Love Before?", this album is classic Capaldi, but with a new glimpse inside.

Austin Millz & Alina Baraz - "Breathless"



It's been a big year so far for Austin Millz, who we've covered releasing "Inhale/Exhale" with Sabrina Claudio and "Freeway" with Estelle. He's performed at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and in Coachella's Heineken House, and now he's here releasing "Breathless" alongside Alina Baraz. Pair Millz' ability to make a catchy beat and Baraz' smooth, summery vocals and your transported into another world with "Breathless".

Bad Bunny - "Where She Goes"



You already know you will be hearing this at every bar and club you enter for the foreseeable future. "Where She Goes" sends you right to the club with a punchy beat and his silky voice gliding throughout the whole track. The shocking part is that this music video features Frank Ocean, who has barely been seen the last decade. The video is riddled with other stars like Lil Uzi Vert and soccer star Ronaldinho.

Lana Del Rey - "Say Yes To Heaven"



It only made sense for Lana Del Rey to finally release "Say Yes To Heaven" after the unreleased version blew up on TikTok. It's an essential Lana song, with her unique tone and crooning sound that sends you back to sometime far in the past. Her voice is like the summer, and this single is just what you need alongside you at the beach.

Post Malone - "Mourning"



With a new album coming soon and more live performances on deck, Post Malone is constantly showing us how a hit record is made. It's his classic tone, a little sprinkling of vulnerability, and a must-listen. If it's any indication of what the rest of the album sounds like, you won't want to miss it.

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