LISTEN TO THIS — MAY 5TH

This week’s LISTEN TO THIS is a heavy-hitting blend of atmosphere and groove, headlined by the sharp energy of Love Spells’ new tune "Clutch" and the sophisticated, jazzy indie spells of Mac DeMarco bassist Daryl Johns. The legendary American Football returns to reclaim the Midwest emo throne with LP4, delivering plenty of twinkly nostalgia, while our throwback honors the kaleidoscopic lo-fi genius of Ariel Pink’s pom pom (a literal "if you know, you know" moment). Turning to the southern hemisphere, the Australian scene is delivering in spades: Brisbane’s Blue Diner offers up the lush, shimmering sounds of Disc2, Melbourne’s Divers have unleashed a gritty new full-length record, and Local The Neighbour arrives hot off an Australian tour with Hudson Freeman to prove they are one of the most vital acts in the game right now.

1. Love Spells - Clutch

I’ve listened to Love Spells for awhile now, maybe a project not known by many, but in the world of streaming, over 1million people are tapped in but Love Spells has shared his new single ‘Crutch’. The songwriter – 21-year-old Sir Taegan Harris – is a hugely instinctual talent, with what comes out on tape mirroring his emotional landscapes.

Kevin Abstract is a fan, and after hearing his early releases cold-called Love Spells, inviting him to contribute to 2025 album ‘Blush’. New single ‘Crutch’ is out now via RCA Records, an all-out alt-pop bubbler that fuses together R&B aspects with deft electronics.

The Houston-born singer pours his heart out over the sultry new release, which zeroes in on the pros – and cons – of emotional entanglement. “‘Crutch’ is about knowing something is bad for you, but continuing on with it anyway,” he shares. “The push and pull of someone who loves you but can’t admit it – they stick around for that feeling of love without ever having to be responsible for yours. They use you as a crutch, and honestly, you use them as one too.”

Out now, ‘Crutch’ comes backed by a video directed by Alex Lockett, showcasing Love Spells’ raw choreography in a New York City dance studio. 

2. Daryl Jones - Self Titled

Gonna be super honest i don’t know much about this one but came across it last night and damn.. formerly a part of The Lemon Twigs and currently touring with Mac DeMarco on bass, Daryl Johns has his own thing going on which he describes as ‘bubblegum jazz pop rock fusion’

3. American Football - LP4

Most of us are lifelong American Football (LP1) devotees, but seeing them at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory in 2015 was a rare treat; the crowd was so electric they practically drowned out the band. Back then, the idea of a second, third, or even fourth record felt like a total pipe dream, yet this veteran emo outfit has defied the odds with a new album that operates on its own sense of logic and time—a fraught, dizzying triumph. The record’s climactic centerpiece, “Bad Moons,” sees Mike Kinsella using his earnest Midwestern elocution to navigate a heavy landscape of infidelity, substance abuse, and therapy, eventually finding a perspective-shifting "happy ending." However, the true magic happens once the singing stops; the band builds toward a post-rock crescendo and a wistful, snowcapped outro—complete with the ambient sounds of a playground—spinning the narrative into a kaleidoscopic language all their own.

4. Ariel Pink - Pom Pom (throwback reco’s) *2014 release*

Last year, a close friend reintroduced me to the sprawling, eccentric discography of Ariel Pink—music that had been buried in my subconscious since another friend first played it for me over a decade ago. It feels like his work belongs to a secret society; not many people are truly tapped into his world, but those who are always seem to be special, leaving a lasting imprint on my own musical DNA. A decade after emerging from a rented ashram room with reels of fragile, lo-fi love songs, the CalArts alumnus returns with a new album that cements his status as Frank Zappa’s stylistic next-of-kin: satirical, divisive, and far more interested in terraforming entire genres than merely deconstructing them.

His aesthetic evokes a specific breed of Los Angeles eccentricity, reminiscent of Angelyne, the flamingo-pink Corvette-driving icon who perfected the art of being "famous for being famous" long before the Kardashian era. Like Angelyne—an iconic, ornamental fixture of the '80s who settled for cult status and self-released albums on her Pink Kitten imprint—Ariel Pink occupies a strange, neon-lit corner of the cultural landscape. He is the sunshine daydream to the world's ghoulish noir, operating in a space where the bizarre becomes beautiful and the purely ornamental becomes essential.

5. Blue Diner, Divers & Local The Neighbour

Blue Diner recently dropped Disc 2, and I’ll be honest—while this band has been popping up on my radar for a minute, I thought I already had their "sound" figured out before I even hit play. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Disc 2 is an absolute revelation, built on lush, intricate soundscapes that will hit home for anyone who lives for the ethereal textures of Slowdive or the moody, melodic depth of Slow Pulp. This isn't just another indie release; it’s a project you seriously need to keep your eyes on.

Divers - Odd Dog in the Capital

I had the chance to work on a few of these guys' tracks a few years back during the Economy Class era, and it was clear even then that their sound really took flight—connecting with the "Airways" in a way that felt effortless. I’ve kept them on my radar ever since because I’m constantly amazed by their ability to evolve. Like their surreal, serpentine songwriting, the Melbourne quartet always seems to be in the middle of a transformation. Divers have thrived in this state of flux since forming as a Year 10 studio project in 2019, consistently shifting their mood and direction.

Self-produced and fiercely independent, they spike their free-wheeling indie rock with clubby electronics and psychedelic textures, following whatever feels right in the moment rather than sticking to a script. Their origin story is a classic grassroots Melbourne tale: drummer Tom Evans initially recorded Summits (the previous band of singer Ben Bray and guitarist Jake Green) before bassist Scott McQuilten joined the fold to round out the four-piece. While they emerged from the southwestern suburbs, Divers have never quite slotted into a single corner of the city’s prismatic music scene, preferring to carve out their own unique space instead.

Local The Neighbour - Sword

I’m going into this project relatively blind, other than knowing he plays drums for the killer Australian outfit Garage Sale. I’ve seen his solo releases pop up on my feed for a while now, but after seeing he just supported Hudson Freeman (US) on his debut Australian tour, it’s clear he’s hitting a new stride. This record is a massive standout for me this week—it absolutely rips from start to finish. I’m definitely hoping to lock in an interview with him soon to dig deeper into how this all came together.