Superbly inky synth pop from Molly Mogul, a nomadic artist sometimes based in Bristol (but originally from a small village near Munich). Mogul describes “Run” as a reminder that you can’t outrun your fears or hangups; an encouragement to look at yourself and your relationships with honesty. That’s certainly a universal and timely concept, especially as we collectively confront the reality of multiple generations now having grown up with the inability to escape the vanity and perpetual guilt and shame of online life. How much harder it has become for kids to develop an internally-driven sense of right and wrong, good and bad, when they have been told from day dot a thousand versions of what they should be. The advice to try to see yourself clearly is resonant, but it also strikes me as if we’ve set people up to fail at this–how can you judge yourself with grace and honesty if you lack any firm sense of self? Mogul seems to recognize this: “You said you’ll find yourself; First you need to find the starting line.” This is the first single from Molly Mogul’s debut album A Bouquet of Hopes and Dreams, out in April; no bandcamp for this, but it’s out for streaming, and Mogul has been kind enough to let me share the mp3 here.

Molly Mogul – “Run” (mp3)

Argent, aluminum-like track from Warsaw’s Dataplanet, sitting somewhere braindance and a somber pop ballad. This is from Dataplanet’s upcoming LP, Last Human Process, which is informed by ongoing tensions and events in Eastern Europe in the context of technological evolution–including the war in Ukraine, and the erosion of democratic institutions in places like Hungary. It maps an increasingly likely world where technology may well persist longer than we do, or at least after our social structures have crumbled. It’s delicate and precise stuff, but still completely emotion-forward, which tracks well with its intention: a time when all that’s relevant about us is how we feel, and the structure around us is wholly artificial. Last Human Process is out February 1st, but Dataplanet was nice enough to let me share this mp3 with you now.

Dataplanet – “chrs” (mp3)

A giddy illustration of a hazey summer night from NYC duo Matt Swain (drums) and Kenneth Fletcher (synth), aka Outerboros. This song makes me think of kids playing in a popped hydrant, or an early evening subway showtime in August when the dancers are sweaty and tired, but charged by a day’s worth of sun and quarter waters. Outerboros also sent over another nice piece which features NYC stalwart Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire doing something softer and more melodic than I’m used to hearing from him. Lots of vibes here, I will be clocking these fellas in the future. Both tracks are from Outerboros’ third EP as a duo, which is out now for streaming or on bandcamp; they’ve also been generous enough to let me share the mp3s with you here.

Outerboros – “Night Owl” (mp3)

Outerboros – “Tonight” ft. Mr Muthafuckin’ eXquire (mp3)