The Upbeat

Embrace by Goldroom 

Goldroom is an LA-based DJ about to hit it B.I.G. He’s new to the scene, but his more sentimental style is interesting in an electronic context. He somehow manages to pull off a romantic tone with vocals yet still creates a feel-good background beat. His collaborations with Poolside and Niki & The Dove have solidified his reputation, but look out for his other singles aside from “Goldroom,” cuz boyfrand’s got some solo talent. In his bio, he claims to inspire a “steady hunt for the dance floor.” And between you and me, and Adam Goldberg à la Dazed and Confused, I know I just wanna dance.

The Downbeat

Never Seen Such Good Things by Devendra Banhart 

Banhart definitely has an interesting story: his mother is Venezuelan and his father American, and shortly after his birth his parents split up, so he grew up between Venezuela and Los Angeles. His unusual name, however, is not Venezuelan; it’s a synonym for Indra, the King of the Gods according to Hinduism. Modesty. Banhart ended up dropping out of Art School to pursue music in Europe. If the kid strayed any further off the beaten path, he’d be on the road no one’s traveled by, machete-ing his way through that yellow effin’ wood. But thank lawd he did follow that path, cause his music has made all the difference.