BEST CHILL MUSIC – WEEK 28

TGIF! The working week is officially over, which can only mean one thing... Time for a drink! Only joking! Time for yet another edition of BitCandy's Best Chill Music! Put on your sunglasses and the highest SPF that you can find as the following songs are hotter than the California sun. And believe me, that's saying something! Featuring RY X, Meadowlark, HONNE, Johan, Creaky Jackals and more, add these tracks to your summer mixtape for the ultimate party with friends this weekend. Just don't forget to invite me! :)

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RY X – SALT (CURATOR ROBERT DUFFY)

Nobody does pure, raw, haunting beauty like RY X. The Australian crooner soothes and moves me with his cavernous acoustic balladry. Featuring shots of RY X playing guitar interspersed with footage of a female dancer flexing and contorting her body to the music, this video for meandering Dawn highlight “Salt” is minimal yet emotive, and much like the song, sure to resonate with you for a long time to come. <3

ABRAHAM TILBURY – MORPHINE

Much like the analgesic and narcotic drug after which it's named, “Morphine” by Abraham Tilbury (FKA BitCandy favorite Allthingslost) takes all of the pain away. The Australian producer's breed of electronic minimalism is truly pacifying. Maybe it's the Justin Vernon-esque falsetto vocals, maybe it's the warm piano chords, maybe it's the slow-burning percussive beats, but whatever it is, “Morphine” has me officially hooked.

MEADOWLARK – QUICKSAND

Following the release of Paraffin EP earlier this year, British duo Meadowlark return with the reflective, pensive “Quicksand.” Inspired by the devastating real-life story of a Pakistani man who became a brick kiln laborer to pay for his sister's mounting medical bills (read the full story here), the slow-building electronic ballad is one of those harrowing, evocative listens that can't help but make you feel all of the feels. For fans of: Daughter, Oh Wonder.

KYOTI – CURVED EDGE STRAIGHT LINE (CURATOR BECA ARREDONDO)

Having impressed the blogosphere in April with their debut single “Cave In,” KYOTI return this month to expand on their visceral sound with “Curved Edge Straight Line.” Bringing together pop, electronic and jazz influences (among others), the British three-piece once again succeed in presenting a dynamic yet danceable concoction that's deeply unique, and for that reason, deeply compelling (I'm already on my ninth play). Ones to watch.

HONNE – GOOD TOGETHER

Have HONNE released a bad track yet?! NOPE! The British duo are actually infallible, as their latest electro-soul gem “Good Together” proves. If you liked their recent Izzy Bizu collaboration “Someone Who Loves You,” then believe me, you're going to LOVE this euphoric, upbeat paean, which is guaranteed to leave a big ol' smile on your face. Bring on the debut album, Warm On A Cold Night, out July 22!

WANR – BLINDED (CURATOR ROBERT DUFFY)

How does this only have 744 plays?! This has to be one of the most captivating songs that I've heard this week... This month... This year! Ethereal vocal melodies, hypnotic surges of synths and minimal percussive beats add up to what I can only describe as an ambient slice of heaven from Oregon electronic duo WANR. Close your eyes and let “Blinded” wash over you. Then proceed to share the good vibes with all of your friends!

LONDON SUMMERS – VALLEY (CURATOR ROBERT DUFFY)

After five years working behind the scenes as a producer, Canadian artist London Summers debuts on the blogosphere this July with the 808s-imbued “Valley.” While we don't necessarily condone the lyrical content (“Riding through the valley getting high with my baby...”), if you're looking to take a sober late-night drive with your bae one summer evening, then we do condone you bumping this seductive, steamy, smoky track LOUD.

KAKOU – LIVE IN THIS MOMENT (CURATOR ROBERT DUFFY)

There's a lot of beauty to be found in simplicity. Case in point: “Live In This Moment” by Kakou. Combining smooth vocal harmonies, billowing synth melodies and very little else, “Live In This Moment” is undoubtedly a song without bells and whistles, but that doesn't prevent the British newcomers from getting their heartwarming sentiment (“I just hope to live in this moment with you...”) across with disarming ease. A must hear. <3

JOHAN – HIGH IN THE WOODS

Johan does it again! The Boston native, who previously dropped the impressive “Danger_us” and “Stard(us)t,” continues to hone his propulsive breed of electronic R&B on “High In The Woods.” Produced by Robin Hannibal of Rhye, “High In The Woods” is a seductive, nocturnal track about sneaking out after dark to get up to no good, and for that reason, makes for a devilishly addictive listen that your parents are sure to disapprove of.

CREAKY JACKALS (FEAT. WILD) – HIGH TIDE

Crank up the volume as Creaky Jackals are back! Featuring WILD, “High Tide” is once again another future bass banger from the French producer duo. Effervescent, tropical synths? Check! Oh Wonder-inspired girl-boy vocals? Check! A beautifully unanticipated drop? Check, check, check! To say that “High Tide” ticks all of the boxes would be a serious understatement. The ultimate summer anthem!

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Thanks for listening! Have the best weekend EVER! x

“Photo” by Brooklyn Morgan is licensed under CC0 1.0 (cropped and resized).

About Jess Grant

When Jess Grant isn't writing on music, she can be found playing it – on her guitar, on her ukulele, and on her recently acquired mandolin. Playing it hideously, she ought to add. Jess also studies. She studies the English language, to be precise. Jess is currently on her way to a degree in the subject, and enjoys starting and never finishing novels, screenplays, and poetry in her spare time. She also likes dogs. Lots of dogs.