THE PLAYLIST

Telex Telexs/ Sawn (B2B)

Thai synth-pop quartet Telex Telexsserve up another melodic pop in the form of Sawn (B2B), the second single preceded by last year’s Yood Truad (Love Chaser). The band, a teaming of singer Sorrarat “Aom” Limpanopparat, guitarist Kirakorn Ingkavarapornkul, keyboardist Kasidath Ritngarm and bassist Parkorn Panong, are in their element here, providing plenty of synths and feel-good retro vibes. Lyrics-wise, it’s all about hidden love (“Hidden love/ No movements/ No matter how much I’m in love with you/ I can only say it here”).

Gorillaz (feat. George Benson)/ Humility Humility is the first taste of Gorillaz’s forthcoming sixth studio album The Now Now. Featuring renowned jazz guitarist George Benson, the song packs full of summery vibes buoyed by vocalist Damon Albarn’s warm vocals. “I’m alone between the left hand/ Reset myself and get back on track/ I don’t want this isolation/ See the state I’m in now?” he sings over Benson’s masterful strumming. “If I pick it up when I know that it’s broken/ Do I put it back?/ Or do I head out on to the lonesome track and let you go?”This is perhaps the most laidback offering we’ve heard from the band to date.

Weezer/ Africa

Toto’s Africa, in case you didn’t know, has somehow become the Internet’s favorite song and inevitably inspired a wide range of memes. This meme cycle happened to include a Twitter account called “weezer cover africa by toto,”a fan campaign supposedly run by a 14-year-old girl named Mary. This then led the LA band Weezer to actually cover the song Africa by Toto. Now that the backstory’s out of the way, the cover itself doesn’t stray too far away from the original, except for those trippy synth flourishes which are lovely touch. Thank you, Mary, for making this happen.

The Moffatts/ Like I Love U

The Moffatts, a band of Canadian brothers partially responsible for the country’s ‘90s boy band hype, serve up another comeback single entitled Like I Love U. A follow-up to lead-off single Secrets released earlier this year, the track finds the siblings still adhering to the tried- andtrusted pop formula that’d earned them loyal fans from round these parts. Feeling nostalgic and wanting more? Look out for their forthcoming EP, which will mark the group’s first collection of new music since 2000’s Submodalities.

Sales/ White Jeans

Sales have been crushing the game since 2013 with their brand of lush, lo-fi indie-pop. After the release of their 2016’s full-length debut, the Orlando duo is finally back with new music. Here, we’re treated to White Jeans, a warm and inviting track that captures the flirtatious exhilaration. “You come on to me/ At a cool party/ This is not a test/ This is not a dream,” sings vocalist Lauren Morgan in the opening verse, barely containing her surprise. “I can feel your heat/ Coming to me/ Coming to me in waves.”This is what Sales excel at: crafting earnest songs about simple things.