Fresh To Death: Best New Alt Pop and Electronic Music This Friday
Fresh To Death is a series where I write about some of my favourite new music!
Featuring Creature & Machine, OPB, Carol, Gerron, Giac de Castro, Ouri, Blums, God of War, Yiigaa, Victauria Meadow, Casper Grey & Pretty Girl.
This edition features: a song that sounds like it is being performed by a Barbie doll on a miniature synthesizer in the corner of an empty apartment; a song that is witchy and unusual with entrancing vocals unfolding against the backdrop of a sampled Arvo Pärt-style choral arrangement; a song that reminded me of Sneaker Pimps’ ‘6 Underground’; a song with an opening soundscape that feels like it is from an enchanted realm in a fairytale; a song with a plush heavenly chorus that reminded me of Kacey Musgraves; a song that has a shimmering aquatic quality to the soundscape that makes it feel like a meditation; and more!
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Fresh To Death: Best New Music This Friday
Creature & Machine - Better Love
This is taken from the album ‘Evergreen ’, which I was drawn to by the plush, floral imagery of the artwork on Bandcamp.
The album deals with the artist being subject to a partner who became increasingly controlling, meaner, and manipulative throughout the duration of their relationship.
Whenever I hear about a situation like this, I always think that this is one of the most frightening things that can happen to a person, especially within the dynamic of a relationship, as this is the person you inevitably see the most of, so when someone starts behaving like this, it results in the person being subject to this abuse becoming a shadow of their former selves and feeling like they are loosing touch with reality (and the strange thing is, for a period of time the perpetrator usually manages to convince the victim that they are in fact the evil one).
‘Evergreen’ deals with the ugly reality of dealing with someone like this head on, not just the unpleasant elements that unfold while you are with them, but also how when you leave them, they get really nasty and start saying awful things about you, as that is the only power they have left over you ( this being dealt with on ‘SAYS ABOUT ME’). ‘STRINGS’ immediately reminded me of Lily Allen and I loved it. Each song on the album deals with differing aspects of being subjected to this kind of behavior, but is also about allowing yourself to feel hope, to feel powerful again.
‘Better Love’ is the closing song on the album, and it is impossible not to get emotional while listening to it. The song deals with retaining hope for love in the aftermath of such trauma, not just within a relationship, but within everyday moments ( moments that make life delicious, as Florence Given would say). Gentle piano notes open the track, with delicate, haunting vocals singing:
“A better love around the corner
A better love in all I see
A better love in the sunflowers
And a morning cup of tea”
The string section is deeply moving; it is gentle, a message that even after such pain and trauma, you can still lead a fulfilling, happy life full of love.
Connect with Creature & Machine
Website | Instagram
Blums - Salty
Photo Credit: Eleanor Petry
There is something about NYC artist Blums that reminds me of Aphex Twin. I think this is mainly down to how much the artist relishes in the weird, making beautifully odd electronic soundscapes that warp and twist in a way that signals an unwillingness to conform, a commitment to forging a new path and artistic sound.
‘Salty’ sounds like it is being performed by a Barbie doll on a miniature synthesizer in the corner of an empty apartment; some tinkling toy-like digital sounds sprinkling the soundscape every so often.
I love the line “Pine like a tree, better yet, let it be”.
On the song the artist share “In 2021 or 2022 some friends were doing a songwriting challenge led by Joe Kerwin and the theme was to write a song stealing something from “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles. I was going through a heartbreak at a time with a boy who mentioned he liked salty better than sweet. I was working at a cafe downtown, had a melody in my head, and the line “breathing gets harder” birthing an earworm. One shift and one placemat later, I had all the lyrics and vocal melody down. I was hanging out at a bar with friends, including the guy who broke my heart, and the submission deadline was the next day. I went home from the bar, found some synth parts, and produced it in a few hours and many YouTube tutorials on vocal production.”
Connect with Blums
Instagram
Giac de Castro - DETACH
I saw this on Bandcamp, and the azure blue sky paired with the cityscape reminded me of the music video for Troye Sivan’s ‘Got Me Started’ (one of the best songs of the past 10 years, and if you don’t agree I am not interested in hearing from you).
This is taken from the London-based electronic musician’s new album ‘ALMOST HOME’ which came out today. There is a shimmering aquatic quality to the soundscape of this that makes it feel like a meditation; the pared-back quality of the vocals inducing a sense of calm and peace. In this artist’s bio it says that the artist “has had several mental breakdowns whilst pursuing music” and I couldn’t have related to something more. This is a brutal industry; even though it is easier than ever to release music, it is getting harder and harder to break through, which, when you have poured your heart and soul into something, can honestly just push you to the brink.
“Have I had this dream before?”
Connect with Giac De Castro
Instagram
Gerron - To Change a Man
This is taken from the artist's upcoming EP ‘CHOKE!’ which will be out July 24, 2026. This song has a bit of a Kacey Musgraves vibe (an artist whom I have only started properly listening to in the past year, and I cannot stress enough the impact her album ‘Deeper Well’ has had on me).
‘To Change a Man’ opens with a bare-bones, stripped-back arrangement that allows the vocals and lyrics to really hit home. This gradually ascends into plush heavenly textures in the chorus, the whole thing laced with a bittersweet beauty.
Connect with Gerron
Instagram
Victauria Meadow - Commet (Feat. Casper Grey)
The image for this reminded me of Caroline Polachek, so I was of course immediately interested. This song was performed by Victauria Meadow and was written and produced by EASTEND GRAVY (made up of Casper Grey & idntmttr).
‘Commet’ is so witchy and strange; the vocals unfolding against the backdrop of a sampled Arvo Pärt-style choral arrangement. It dawned on me while listening to this that I don’t really hear many songs like this anymore, that a lot of what is coming out at the moment is just different iterations of the same thing, whereas this is genuinely odd and interesting and new and is the sort of thing I loved back in the early SoundCloud days.
As the song progresses, there are strange sounds ricocheting in the background, like the sort of odd noises common to the ghostly seaside world of ‘Widow’s Bay’. There is something about this that reminded me why I love electronic music so much, as it serves as a medium where you can let your imagination run wild.
Connect with Kingdome
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Connect with Casper Grey
Instagram
Connect with idntmttr
Instagram
Pretty Girl - Body Step
You will not be able to stop yourself from stepping to this from the moment you hear it. Warm house-like textures swirl around the beat, the hypnotic vocals inviting you to just let it all go and let your body move. The production here is so captivating and seductive - you will not be able to resist.
Connect with Pretty Girl
Instagram
OPB - Del cuerpo donde resido ft. Carol
This was released via the Mexican independent label Melodykrafter, opening with vocals that sound like they are coming from a haunted temple in a science-fiction movie. There is something so mesmerizing and hypnotic about this; the trip-hop style beat that comes in later reminds me of Sneaker Pimps’ ‘6 Underground’.
This is taken from ‘001 ’, which you can get via Bandcamp here.
Connect with melodykrafter
Website / Instagram
Connect with Carol
Instagram
God of War - Mickey Don't Pose
Photo Credit: Arturo Zarate
I recently started getting YouTube recommendations for a band called ‘they are gutting a body of water’ and I immediately thought that was the most dystopian and eerily beautiful name I have heard in a long time. ‘Mickey Don't Pose’ is by God of War, made up of Douglas Dulgarian of They Are Gutting A Body of Water and Hooky’s Scott Turner and Sam Silbert.
For some reason, the opening bars made me think of ‘Malcolm in the Middle’; there is something about the beat and sampled vocals that makes it feel like a trip down memory lane. As the song progresses, the digital tapestry expands, making it so rich and interesting to listen to; there is something about this that just feels so 1990s in a fresh, new way and I love it.
The music video deals with “the never-ending chase for the world’s pleasures, prioritizing winning at all costs.”
Connect with Sam Silbert
Instagram
Connect with Hooky
Instagram
Connect with they are gutting a body of water
Instagram
Connect with Julia's War Recordings
Website | Instagram
Yiigaa - TOURGUIDE
I don’t think you are all prepared for the honey-laced warm tapestry of sound that will greet your ears when you start playing this song.
There is something about the opening soundscape that feels like it is from an enchanted realm in a fairytale. The vocal melody that comes in is buttery and slightly haunting, giving the whole song a bewitching quality. I absolutely loved this.
Connect with Yiigaa
Instagram | Facebook | X
Ouri - 100'000 Ft
I came across the new music video for this on YouTube; ‘100'000 Ft’ being from producer and multi-instrumentalist Ouri. The electronic fabric for this is delicate and shimmering, like silk gently moving in the wind in a dream. In fact, the song itself feels like it is operating via dream logic, making this a mesmerizing listen.
Connect with Ouri
Instagram
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About Eimear O Sullivan
Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)
Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com
In this blog section we host new music releases, artist features and handpicked playlists by the Musicngear staff.
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