I love it when a song/artist came out of nowhere and elicited a strong response in me. The mysterious London-based Oscar Scheller only has 3 songs on his Soundcloud, but “Never Told You” is the one to check. By first listen, I was taken aback by how it all feels so instant and familiar, down to the rave piano chords. It took me right back to 2006, the height of my twee pop phase, during which there was a resurgence of these fey indie kids making catchy C86-inspired bedroom pop with Morrissey and Sarah Records as their blueprint. I still have fond memories of discovering that scene for the first time, and “Never Told You” sounds just like it came from that period, like it belongs on Labrador Records beside Suburban Kids With Biblical Names. Twee-pop has that nostalgic yet ageless quality. You can try to grow up, but the twee it stays, waiting for a nice sunny day to pop back in for a cup of tea. Lovely, lovely stuff.

STREAM: Oscar – Never Told You

More on Oscar.

Jessie Ware‘s stunning debut album “Devotion” was finally released in the States earlier this month on Cherrytree Records, and today, the British pop star just casually chucked a new song on Soundcloud. “Love Thy Will Be Done” is originally a 1991 single for Martika (of “Toy Soldiers” fame), and it was produced by co-written by the one and only Prince. Apparently, this track was hidden away on the US vinyl pressing of “Devotion” all this time!
It’s yet another solid addition to her rich ’90s cover repertoire (including her sublime rendition of Brownstone’s “If You Love Me”, and her live-favorite version of Marvin Gaye/Madonna’s “I Want You”). Make sure to check out her classy reinterpretation below.

STREAM: Jessie Ware – Love Thy Will Be Done (Martika Cover)

Buy “Devotion” on iTunes.
More on Jessie.

It oughta happen. Lana Del Rey & Baz Luhrmann is such a match made in heaven that it comes as no surprise she’s doing the main theme song for his big-budget, potentially hot-mess adaptation of The Great Gatsby. The Rick-Nowels-produced “Young & Beautiful” is no grand departure for Lana. It’s practically an aural equivalent of her gazing forlornly at her reflection in the pale moonlight in her red dress on a Friday night etc. etc., but fortunately her schtick hasn’t worn out for me yet. It’s vapidly beautiful, bewitching pop-noir and I won’t have it any other way. Right now, I might prefer the Dan Heath Orchestral Version just a little bit more, ’cause I’m a sucker for strings. Check both versions below and tell me what you think.

STREAM: Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautiful

STREAM: Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautiful (Dan Heath Orchestral Version)

Buy the single on iTunes.
The Great Gatsby soundtrack features new tracks from Florence + The Machine, The XX, Fergie, Emeli Sande, Sia, Nero and loads more. And for some reasons, a trap-style cover of Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black” by Beyoncé and Andre 3000.

DJ Koze is a name I’m familiar with, having listened to his countless remixes and productions during my IDM phase a few years back. Apparently, the German DJ/producer just released his first solo album in 9 years entitled “Amygdala” (bonkers artwork above), with help from an all-star cast of featured vocalists like Dan Snaith of Caribou, Matthew Dear, and crooner-du-jour Milosh of Rhye fame. However, much to my surprise, track 6 featuring Ada is actually a cover of Kings of Convenience! “Homesick” is a lovely cut on their 2004 album “Riot on an Empty Street”, and Koze’s version does not stray too far away from the original. Just don’t expect any radical rave-up, for it’s a simple, laidback groove with mellow hip-hop beats and robotic, yet organic vocals. It’s already at the top of my essential summer playlist. Check out the breezy cover below.

STREAM: DJ Koze – Homesick feat. Ada

Ironically, on another cool track called “Track ID Anyone?”, Caribou actually sounds a lot like Erlend Oye!

STREAM: DJ Koze feat. Caribou – Track ID Anyone?

Safe to say I need to queue up this album on Spotify, then. Love me some oddball European electronica.

“Amygdala” is out now on CD & LP via German label Pampa Records. Buy it on iTunes.
More on DJ Koze.

Laura Marling is the Rihanna of folk. On to her fourth album in 5 years, the prolific Brit folk darling just unleashed her new single “Master Hunter” last week, and it’s a change of wind for her. It’s been a while since I heard something this upbeat from Laura, but that trademark visceral melancholy in most of her songs is not lost here.

STREAM: Laura Marling – Master Hunter

“Where Can I Go?” is another strong cut from her forthcoming album “Once I Was An Eagle”. After 3 solid albums, I have no doubt this next one will be yet another challenging but rewarding listen. Her albums always take time to marinate and grow, but once they do, oh boy do they do.

STREAM: Laura Marling – Where Can I Go?

You can also watch a nice trailer for her upcoming short film for another track, “When Brave Bird Saved”:

Buy the single. Once I Was An Eagle is out May 27th.
More on Laura.

As you know, Record Store Day is on 4/20 this weekend. and it’s a great date to support local record stores, buy exclusive new releases and just have fun appreciating music. One of the most coveted RSD releases this year is Astralwerks’ limited edition 20/20 Vinyl Box Set to celebrate their 20th anniversary. They’re one of my favorite labels, and this release is a great time capsule of all the great acts on their roster over the years. Included are exclusives or rarely heard tracks from Air, Hot Chip, Kings Of Convenience, The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Kraftwerk, Sia, Empire Of The Sun, Diamond Rings, Gold Fields and more, each pressed on 20 beautiful flexi discs. Only 1,250 copies were pressed and hand-numbered, so you know it’s strictly limited! Lucky for you, thanks to the nice people at Astralwerks, we have ONE copy to give away, in case they’re all sold out at your favorite local store.

Find out after the jump how YOU can win one of these amazing box sets.

1. Like Astralwerks’ Facebook page (if you haven’t already).
2. Like Pop Labyrinth’s Facebook page (if you haven’t already).
3. Enter your full name and email address on this form.

Once you completed ALL 3 steps above (we’ll check!), you’re eligible to enter the drawing. One entry per person, please. A winner will be picked at random. This contest is open to US residents only, and it will end on April 26, 2013. Good luck!

UPDATE: Congrats to Claudio Vallejo, the lucky winner of this contest. Thank you everyone for participating!

Have a look at the boxset in this cool stop-motion video, and peep the amazing tracklist below.

Astralwerks: Music in 20/20 Tracklisting:
1: Future Sound of London – The Far Out Son Of Lung And The Ramblings Of A Madman (Original 12″ Version)
2: The Chemical Brothers – Block Rockin’ Beats
3: The Beta Band – Dry The Rain
4: Fatboy Slim – Praise You
5: Cassius – Cassius 1999
6: Doves – The Cedar Room [Promo-only version previously unreleased in the
US]*
7: Kings of Convenience – Winning A Battle, Losing The War (J-Walk Remix) [Previously unreleased in the US]*
8: Basement Jaxx – Where’s Your Head At
9: Royksopp – Poor Leno
10: Sia – Breathe Me (Four Tet Remix)
11: Hot Chip – My Shit’s On Fire Right Now [First ever commercial release]*
12: The Kooks – Put Your Back to My Face [Previously unreleased in the US]*
13: Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream
14: David Guetta – Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon)
15: Air – Indian Summer [Previously unreleased in the US]*
16: Kraftwerk – Die Roboter [German language version of "The Robots."
Previously unreleased in the US]*
17: Eric Prydz – Allein
18: Swedish House Mafia – Don’t You Worry Child (feat. John Martin)
19: Diamond Rings – Put Me On (Diamond Dance) [Previously unreleased]
20: Gold Fields – Dark Again

*Exclusive tracks

Leave it to Empire of the Sun to build up a proper comeback. After an ridiculously epic next-level-Indiana-Jones-shit trailer, the Aussie duo has finally premiered their new single “Alive”. Effervescent and uplifting, the stomping track is the perfect re-introduction to Luke & Nick’s brand of youthful, summery electro-pop. And if the trailer is any indication for the music video, we’re in for a real treat. So get ready to soak up the sun, jump in the pool, and look out for the band’s highly-anticipated sophomore effort “Ice on the Dune” due in June.

STREAM: Empire Of The Sun – Alive

Watch the album trailer:

Pre-order “Ice on the Dune,” out in June 2013.
More on Empire of the Sun.

Empress Of is the moniker of Lorely Rodriguez, Brooklyn-based songstress signed to Terrible Records, label home of Solange and Chairlift. Considering the label’s pedigree, it should come as no surprise that her new track “Hat Trick” is a total dream-pop choon. It’s subdued, ethereal ’80s synth-pop at its smoothest, with slick production and silky sweet vocals. In a nutshell, it sounds like St. Vincent produced by Dev Hynes (Blood Orange). The only flaw I can find is that it’s too damn short! With this, Empress Of has unofficially joined the like-minded crystal-ball pop league of Twin Sister, Class Actress and Glasser. Now excuse me while I go hit repeat one more time.

 

STREAM: Empress Of – Hat Trick

 

“Hat Trick” is on Empress Of’s upcoming EP/12″ Systems, out on April 2.
Pre-order the EP.
More on Empress Of.

Brit band Delphic paid tribute to the late Amy Winehouse by uploading their 2013 update of “Rehab” on Soundcloud a few days ago. It’s a blog-happy trap beat exercise that takes some fun turns during its 5-minute span, and is bound to go down well at house parties. This reminds me how I used to be obsessed with their massive tune “Halcyon” back in 2010, and that I still need to listen to their new follow-up. Grab a free download of the remix below, and check out the video for their current single “Baiya”.

MP3: Amy Winehouse – Rehab (Delphic Remix)

WATCH: Delphic – Baiya

Delphic’s new album Collections is out now.
More on Delphic.

Bat For Lashes’ Laura was a deeply gorgeous, haunting chamber-pop ballad, the kind that doesn’t need any enhancing. Nevertheless, San-Francisco-based electronic outfit Bachelors Of Science tried to put their own twist, resulting in a beautiful downtempo reading. They pair the track with ’90s trip-hop beats and buzzsaw synths, but keep the original piano melodies in the mix. This is going straight to my late night playlist! Well done guys.

STREAM: Bat For Lashes – Laura (Bachelors Of Science Remix)

You can watch Bat For Lashes’ new video for the next single “Lilies” below – a visual feast of impressive stop-motion animation.
WATCH: Bat For Lashes – Lilies

More on Bachelors Of Science.
More on Bat For Lashes.