Welcome to Future Sounds! Every Wednesday Ghettoblaster brings you a handful of singles from upcoming albums to excite and entice your ears. Below you’ll find songs that really stand out as essential listening. So please sit back, relax and treat yourself to some seriously great music.

Kishi Bashi – Hey Big Star (Joyful Noise Recordings)

 
After a bout of writers block, multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi worked with programs like Ableton Live and experimented with new sounds and production techniques. The result was his existing orchestral pop sound rolled in with 70’s and 80’s influences. This is clear on Hey Big Star (presumably a nod to the band Big Star) which begins with a slide on a violin string looped until sharp shimmering 80’s synths make an appearance and drive the song, with a myriad of musical layers coming and going throughout. Kishi is great at making complex compositions and infectious vocal hooks that turn his songs into indie-pop juggernauts. This is a bright, explosive love song that is unfairly catchy and I’ve been addicted to it ever since I heard it. His album Sonderlust is out Sept.16 via Joyful Noise, and not only will it have great jams like this one, but it will see Kishi’s sound in it’s new evolved state.

Pfarmers – Red Vermin (Joyful Noise Recordings)

Last year members of The National and Menomena announced a side project (no, not EL VY) this National member was Bryan Devendorf (no not LNZNDRF) and the band is Pfarmers. Bryan, Menomena frontman Danny Seim, and composer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Nelson. “Red Vermin” starts of soft and subtle, with each line of the verse punctuated with a brief musical rest and then a burst from all instruments, like a quick breath in followed by a violent exhale. The song gradually builds and ultimately erupts into a dense crescendo with horns, synths, and guitars burying the melody in a chaotic blanket of sound.  While, this band started off experimental it is much more accessible than LNZNDRF. Each band members contributions are unmistakable, this album will see them all bringing their different talents to the table to make some different than we’ve heard from them in the past.

Mac Miller feat. Anderson Paak – Dang! (Warner Bros. Records)

Following in the footsteps of Domo Genesis, Chance the Rapper, Schoolboy Q, Macklemore, KAYTRANDA, and The Game; Mac Miller has joined forces with the multi-talented Anderson Paak (I’m beginning to think it’s a prerequisite of making a rap album in 2016). I can’t complain though, Paak released a great album early in the year and his infectious, smokey vocals add a layer of production value to any track where they appear (and they’ve made a lot of appearances). This is the case with this cut from Mac Miller’s forthcoming album, The Divine Feminine, out Sept. 16 via Warner Bros. Records. Though Anderson doesn’t get all the credit, Miller’s expression of love, while often crude and misguided which is to be expected, is entertaining with some clever wordplay and an undeniable flow. Mac showed some artistic growth with last year’s GO:OD AM and now it seems he’s going off in some sort of “romantic” direction. Regardless this song is a well composed, smooth summer jam with a funky beat. It comes complete with this colorful video, where the guys are stuck in a loop of “losing” their respective lovers.

Goat – Try My Robe (Sub Pop Records)

 
Swedish psych-rock outfit Goat are known for their exciting live shows, their masked faces, and their eclectic blend of influences. This is the case with their new single “Try My Robe” from their album Requiem out Oct. 7 via Sub Pop. This song is driven by various stringed instruments (maybe sitar) harmonizing to make a driving folk-twang, backed by earthy percussion including handclaps, there is a Mediterannean vibe. While this song is super catchy there is an ominous undertone, especially when viewing the masked participants on the cover art, this group feels like the middle ground between The Polyphonic Spree and Slipknot. Their music gives off the air of a band of nomads and troubadours travelling around and sharing their music. This album should not be missed it will no doubt be one of the most interesting albums of 2016.