BEST ALTERNATIVE CHILL - WEEK 9 PART 2 2015

Hopefully by now your twitter feeds are free of anything pertaining to that damn dress (if you have no idea what I’m talking about, then you’re one of the lucky ones), but just in case that optical illusion is still stressing you out we’ve got some seriously awesome indie chill songs to calm you down. We’ve got the latest from new artists like XYLØ, Lung Dart, Kruse & Nurenberg, and more so read on to discover even more of the best chill songs of the week!

KRUSE & NURENBERG FEAT. BROLIN - LOST N FREE

German electronic duo Kruse & Nurenberg have teamed up with British songwriter-producer Brolin on their latest single, “Lost N Free.” The track is both relaxing yet super danceable at the same time due to its softly pounding club beat, uplifting electronic elements, and melodic vocals that are bound to get stuck in your head. The video itself is totally worth watching as it’s a colorful kaleidoscope of images that go along with the track perfectly.

XYLØ - AMERICA

The other electronic duo on today’s list is XYLØ and they’ve been stirring up some buzz with their dark and catchy debut single, “America.” The track begins with a hard-hitting echoey beat and haunting keys before swelling into the wonderfully catchy yet moody chorus. The song has major replay-value and I seriously can’t wait to see what members Paige and Chase Duddy (are they siblings? Spouses? Nobody knows!) release next.

ALEX SCHULZ - WAYS

Newcomer Alex Schulz will get you feeling at ease with his latest uplifting offering, “Ways.” The track begins with a steady beat and keys that slowly swell in volume until the vocal hook comes in about 30 seconds in. It's a laid back EDM track that works at both the club or your bedroom, making it a track you’ll want to listen to no matter what mood you’re in.

LUNG DART - B. OK

Keeping with the theme of electronic duos (what can we say? it’s a solid formula that works) comes Lung Dart and their blissful new single, “B. OK” from their upcoming EP, Ebbs. Listening to the track feels like a big warm hug for your ears as it's packed with whispery vocals, keys, and various sounds and electronic elements that blend together to create something totally unique.

ADNA - NIGHT

Swedish singer-songwriter Adna is only 19 years old and is already creating some well-deserved buzz with her stunning debut “Night.” The song packs quite a emotional punch featuring piano, softly plucked guitar, orchestral strings, and Adna’s gorgeous vocals.

BUOY - TOOK ME UP

New singer-producer BUOY is bound to grab your attention with her chill-inducing single, “Took Me Up.” The track slowly evolves over its duration and features lots of synths, busy beats, and haunting atmospherics. The Sydney-based artist sounds something like a cross between Ellie Goulding and FKA Twigs but with her own original sound sprinkled on top.

TOBIAS - LAPUTA

New York based producer Tobias creates soothing and enchanting sounds with his latest offering, “Laputa.” The track features a subtle beat, various percussion blends, whimsical electronics and even the old internet dial-up sound around the 1:40 mark. He manages to blend everything together beautifully and make it a track you’ll keep coming back to.

SIGNS - HOWLING REMIXED BY RADIOSLAVE & THOMAS GANDEY

Radioslave and Thomas Gandey take Howling’s track “Signs” and re-work it into an 11-minute club masterpiece. Over the track’s duration you’ll hear everything from static-filled beats, subtle piano notes, deep bass, and bouncy synths. The vocals are whispery smooth and serve as the perfect addition to the track’s haunting vibe.

MARIKA HACKMAN - NEXT YEAR

From her debut album We Slept At Last comes Marika Hackman and her latest single, “Next Year.” It’s a dark folk track featuring acoustic guitar, subtle percussion, and her effortlessly seductive vocals that will take you on a wonderfully moody ride.

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Whew—that was a great list! Now go forth and chill.

About Erin Crider

Erin Crider eats, breathes, and sleeps pop culture. If you have a question about a one-hit wonder from the ‘90s or need help remembering lines from a SNL skit, she’s your girl. When she isn’t lurking the internet, she's either going to a show or hanging out at Disneyland. Erin lives in Southern California and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Cal State Long Beach.