Mikky Ekko‘s “Kids” should be the soundtrack to your every waking moment. The Louisiana producer has decided to go all uplifting-indie-pop-anthem with his latest single, which premiered this past Sunday on HBO’s True Blood. Produced by Benny Blanco and John Hill, the track packs enough inspiration to make brushing your teeth feel like the most meaningful experience of your life. And we can only hope it’ll make the commercial rounds. “Kids” will make those Levi’s jeans fit all the more snugger, those Victoria’s Secret panties look all the more sexier, and that Taco Bell gordita taste all the more fourth meal. Stream it below.

STREAM: Mikky Ekko – “Kids”

Y LUV has held a stalwart spot on ATG’s radar since 2011, when the LA-based foursome released “Keep It Rollin.’” A welcome follow up to their five song EP How Chill Can You Let Go, the song was feel-good without being too fluffy, alternative without being inaccessible and the full-fledged fruition of the band’s potential seemed imminent. And they have blossomed… to an extent. With three EPs and a tour repertoire including the likes of Tokyo Police Club, Penguin Prison and The Knocks, Y LUV is well on their way to stardom. What’s really holding the up-and-comers back, in our humble opinion, is their loyalty to their muses; it’s one thing to be inspired by The Kings of Leon—a band to which lead singer and guitarist Freddy Janney has repeatedly referenced—but it’s another to mimic their passé sound. Where Y LUV thrives is in songs like “Just Enough,” their brand new single that stays true to the band’s origins but introduces an edgier synth and a more modern approach that, if they stick with it, will take them all the way.

Check out “Just Enough” below, skim through the band’s junior EP Take the Ride, and keep your fingers crossed for less Pentecostalism and more Scientology.

STREAM: Y LUV – “Just Enough”

RAC‘s latest remix endeavor is nothing short of spellbinding. The Portland based producer takes on Joywave’s incredibly catchy single “Tongues” (off of their 88888 mixtape), smooths things out and—in typical RAC fashion—breaks the song down to simple yet effective elements. Staccato stabs bounce along with the warm and cozy drums, simultaneously cradling you along and grabbing you by the throat. André Anjos smoothly lassoes in the original’s chords, like an ice-cold glass of chocolate remix milk poured over a bowl of Joywave cereal. It was already good to begin with, but now it tastes that much better.

By far the most interesting tidbit about this piece is that Joywave reimagined and built off of their previous efforts for their new material; the band used recordings from their debut EP, Koda Vista, as the basis for 88888. So at the heart of it all, the most recent product to emerge from RAC’s remix factory is a reinterpretation of a reimagining or, in a way, a remix of a remix. Both versions speak the same language, but with very different accents. Yet the difference is not drastic enough for any meaning to be lost in the translation. Stream them both below.

DOWNLOAD: Joywave – “Tongues (Ft. Kopps) (RAC Remix)”

STREAM: Joywave – “Tongues (Ft. Kopps)”

Irish electro-pop duo Young Wonder arrived on the scene late last year with their incredible single “To You.” If you haven’t heard it yet, stop what you’re doing and immerse yourself in those synthesized beats, crystalline synths and breathless Bjork-esque vocals. Fellow countryman and up-and-coming producer Daithi has begun to make a real name for himself recently as well with his new single and summer mixtape essential “Chameleon Life.”

Based on my limited knowledge of mathematics, I know that if you take one really good thing and add it to another really good thing the end result should be amazing. So knowing how impressive both acts are, I shouldn’t even have to explain how imperative it is that you hit play on Daithi’s remix of Young Wonder’s “Electrified.” Do yourself a favor and check it out below.

STREAM: Young Wonder – “Electrified (Daithí Remix)”

Justin Vernon is a musical chameleon, adapting his sound to create wonderful results from his collaborations with a diverse range of artists, including James Blake, Poliça, The Shouting Matches and Yeezus himself. In 2009, Vernon teamed up with fellow Wisconsinites Collections of Colonies of Bees to form Volcano Choir. The group recently announced the release of their second album, Repave, due out September 3rd on Jagjaguwar, as well as a ten-city tour to support said album. Today, Vernon & Co. shared the first single, “Byegone,” which sounds like an extension of the achingly beautiful soundscapes Vernon painted with Bon Iver’s 2011 Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Listen to the moody “Byegone” above, and make sure to grab your tickets when Volcano Choir stop by 9:30 Club on September 12th.

Repave track list and Volcano Choir tour dates are available after the jump.

Repave Tracklist:

01) Tiderays
02) Acetate
03) Comrade
04) Byegone
05) Alaskans
06) Dancepack
07) Keel
08) Almanac

Volcano Choir 2013 Tour Dates:

09/06 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
09/07 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
09/08 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
09/09 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom
09/11 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
09/12 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
09/14 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
09/27 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
09/29 – Milkwaukee, WI @ The Pabst Theater
10/18 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

Kitty – also known as Kitty Pryde, also known as Kathryn-Leigh Beckwith, also known as Rap Game Pippi Longstocking – has just put out a come-hither/fuck-you track called “Barbie Jeep” as part of the Adult Swim Singles collection. Against the sibilant snap of a Hot Sugar beat, Kitty gets her trademark teenage-journal purr going at the beginning and then hits a quick, smooth flow by the time she’s dropping “Wingardium Leviosa” in the second verse. There really aren’t enough songs written about creepy dudes, as a rule; can’t wait to use her “I don’t really want your hands in-my-ge-ne-ral-vi-ci-ni-ty” delivery next time some weirdo tries to get it in the club.

STREAM: Kitty – “Barbie Jeep”

Here’s a little lo-fi island music (lo-fisland?) to match the tropical torrent we’ve been beset with here in the district. Noble Savage looks to be an offshoot project conceived amidst the indefinite hiatus of indie rock ensemble Animal Astronauts, masterminded by Trevor Lang, who’s setting sail on his maiden voyage to the land of the jangly melodies and pitter-pattery hand drumming. Throw in some Wilsonesque vocal multi-tracking, and it’s breezy but compelling first single, ho!

Is conceptual island music going to be for this summer what conceptual surf rock was a few years back?  Can I lay claim on the coinage of the term “Luauwave”? Is it time for the youth musicians of today to trade in their DSI Prophets for sturdy ukuleles? Take to the comment section if the spirit moves you, and be safe out there, DC.

STREAM: Noble Savage – “Bloom”

UPDATE: The location of the show has been revealed: Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway, New York, NY 10018)

Are you read to ruuumbllleee? Just kidding this isn’t about WWF or college basketball and I don’t really understand either of those two things. But rumbling is what I want to do at this show with Empire of the Sun on Thursday, June 20th. This live performance comes just two days after the Australian electronic duo release their album, Ice on the Dune. Now Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore will be bringing their cosmic masquerade-themed live show to the fans via Intel & MTV Iggy’s The Music Experiment 2.0 series.

Tickets will be awarded to fans who engage the most through social media. Each day fans are given the opportunity to win tickets by completing unique social media challenges across multiple online platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Pinterest. Fans with the most creative submissions will be awarded prizes ranging from VIP tickets to the show, to a personal meet and greet with the artist, to a starring role in their own MTV Iggy -produced music video. You can read all the deets on how to get into the show over at www.musicexperiment.com.

But we have a guaranteed pair of VIP tickets that we’re giving away (I know right? We’re so special). To enter for a chance to win, just comment on this post with the name of your all-time favoritest Empire of the Sun track (Hint: the answer is “Half Mast”…but really it’s whatever your heart desires). You must be 18+ to enter and the winner will be selected on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 19th.

Hope you guys are ready to dance with me.

STREAM: Empire Of The Sun – “Alive”

Greyjoy is a stellar dreampop band from the Western Australian city of Perth, whose debut single “Idle Thoughts” remains one of our favorite tracks of the year. “Idle Thoughts” is one of those rare songs where you’re not entirely sure how it was made – which instruments are live, which are sampled, what’s a loop – but everything sounds just right and the final product is something new and wonderful.

New track “Distance” is another songwriting and production tour de force marked by some of the same 90s folk- and psych-rock influences (think Madchester and bands like The Stone Roses) that appeared on “Idle Thoughts” and that render the “dreampop” label a bit too restrictive for this band. Far from hopping on the latest trend, Greyjoy are charting new musical territory with their gorgeous vocals, haunting melodies and innovative sound engineering. While it’s tempting to lump them in with other Aussie indie acts that effortlessly combine electronic and acoustic elements – Cut Copy, Miami Horror, Empire of the Sun, Strange Talk, Gold Fields – they’re doing something unique and awesome and we love it.

Greyjoy’s self-titled debut EP will be released July 23rd.

STREAM: Greyjoy – “Distance”

The Knocks‘ ”Modern Hearts” is a great song. Dave Edwards agrees and transforms that greatness into something even more extraordinary (dare we say, the anthem of summer ’13?). Edwards’ remix is about as rave-ready as they come. In fact, if you could hold on for just one second, I’m going to crack my glow sticks real quick (I kid – I used the last of my glow sticks when I lost power the other day). Anyway, Edwards’ remix experiments with a series of chord progressions that avoid the all too familiar monotony typically found in this genre; he manages to work these chords in a way that allows them to exist as stand alone beats during the absence of the original’s melody and lyrics. But when the two come together, it’s magic. With some subtle yet ostentatious enhancements courtesy of his creative mixology, Edwards makes this song a playlist must. Stream it below.

STREAM: The Knocks – “Modern Hearts (Dave Edwards Remix)”