This week, we’ve got great new music from returning artists Broken Bells, Sampa the Great, Ondara, and Gorillaz. Plus, discover the multifaceted artist spill tab as well as Djo, a project with ties to Stranger Things.

Broken Bells, “We're Not In Orbit Yet…”

Seems like Danger Mouse took the past few years to reconnect with old friends: his project with Black Thought will be out later this year, and now comes news that Broken Bells, his project with the Shins' James Mercer, are back with their first album in eight years. The dark shimmer is still laying over the slow and somber vocals of Mercer on their new single, "We're Not In Orbit Yet..."

Sampa The Great, “Never Forget” Feat. Chef 187, Tio Nason, Mwanjé

Zambian-born and Australian-based rapper and songwriter Sampa the Great won an ARIA award for Best Hip Hop Album with her debut record in 2019. Her follow-up also won that award, plus Best Female Artist and Best Independent Release. With her new album, As Above, So Below, Sampa shows no sign of stopping. "Never Forget" reflects on the musical legacy of Africa and is an ode to Zamrock music, a genre that was birthed in the 1970s and is a combination of traditional Zambian music and psychedelic rock.

Djo, “Change”

A synth-funk psychedelic song from Joe Keery — the actor Steve Harrington on Stranger Things. He used to be in the Chicago psych band Post Animal, and this is from a solo project, DECIDE, that will be out later this year.

Ondara, “An Alien in Minneapolis”

Minnesotan via Kenya. The Grammy-nominated artist is going simply by Ondara these days. There’s a new album on the way (coming out in September) called Spanish Villager No. 3. The Goldsmith brothers from Dawes are backing Ondara on vocals and instrumentation. 

Gorillaz, “Cracker Island” feat. Thundercat

The cartoon band is back with a new song. Says 2D (aka Damon Albarn of Blur), “It’s nice to be back, I’m well into our new tune, it brings back weird and scary memories of stuff that hasn’t happened yet.” The band also announced tour dates, but none in Minnesota. Road trip to Chicago or Detroit, anyone?

spill tab, “Splinter”

spill tab – aka Claire Chicha – is a Los Angeles-based, French-Korean artist who brings dark, French introspection to her bedroom pop.

Playlist