New music guide The Neu Bulletin (Boy Pablo, Altopalo, Illuminati Hotties & more)

Break-ups aren’t just messy affairs, they’re very melodramatic ones. Whether you decide to listen to Shirley Bassey on repeat for five hours while sobbing in the foetal position, or opt for a bit of amateur poetry, a bit of well-deserved self-indulgence is part and parcel of splitting from a pair. ‘Losing You’ - the dreamy, crooning, latest to come from Norway’s Boy Pablo - channels this in spates. “How would you feel if I walked up to someone else and ripped their heart out? How would you feel if I said to you that’s how I feel,” sings Pablo Muñoz, saccharine melodies offsetting a sting of angst. And to be honest, we’ve all been there, hun. (El Hunt)

As Altopalo’s first step, ‘Blur’ isn’t anywhere near being tentative. It’s a sign of huge ambition from the New York four-piece, which throws caution to the wind and builds a realm of sound for the listener to dig into and discover more upon every listen. It’s an alt-pop track with avant-garde edges, wrapping itself in digital blurs, minimalist sweeps and thudding percussion; there’s even a few unplugged guitars in the mix. As they gear up to release their debut album ‘frozenthere’, expect Altopalo to keep you on your toes. (Eugenie Johnson)

Besides having a name that is both ludicrous and hilarious in more or less equal measures, Illuminati Hotties also channel razor sharp wit into their songwriting. Their latest, ‘Paying Off the Happiness,’ takes apart the twenty-something stresses of juggling carefree partying with swelling overdrafts, the taxing emotional burden right up there with the financial worries. Illuminati Hotties might not have all of the answers in life - do they know who bit Beyonce, for instance? - but their music makes a good crack at trying to sift through the confusing muddle of life all the same. (El Hunt)

Written in the wake of her father’s death and inspired by her time spent in Lancashire, Montreal-based Tess Roby, the latest addition to Italians Do It Better’s roster, is set to release her debut album ‘Beacon’ in May. As a taster, she’s aired ‘Catalyst’, a cut filled with pulsing, arpeggiated synths that form a foundation for her distinctive, powerful vocals that sometimes border on the operatic. Though it does introduce a couple of other elements, it takes a less is more approach, cultivating emotion from its striking simplicity. (Eugenie Johnson)

Fancy drifting off into a dreamlike universe? Step right this way and fall deep into the atmospheric folds of Moon Racer’s latest track. ‘New Crush’ delicately balances hypnotic, arpeggiated yet spaced-out electronic melodies with airy percussion and languid vocals. The combination is a lo-fi gem almost in the same mould as Beach House that glides softly along but is sure to leave an impact. (Eugenie Johnson)

On last year’s ‘Ricochet’, 7Chariot made an impact with an urgent slice of electro-pop. Now she’s back with ‘Danger In Me’, a cut that features a wealth buoyant melodies and sounds. As its title might suggest though, dig a little deeper and 7Chariot actually presents a vulnerable and open account of accepting some of the darker edges of her personality. It’s another shimmering cut from the Nashville-based artist. (Eugenie Johnson)

Dublin-based multi-disciplinary artist Hilary Woods is the latest signing to Sacred Bones Records and she’s set to release her debut solo album ‘Colt’ in June. With its lead track ‘Inhaler’, she casts a hypnotising spell that places her somewhere between Marissa Nadler and Jenny Hval. Filled with airy, cavernous vocals, a melancholic piano melody and ambient waves of synths, it’s a beautifully measured study in atmosphere that captures the notions of homesickness and belonging. (Eugenie Johnson)

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