Next Wave: Paycheque

Paycheque are a new Los Angeles synth-pop duo bringing together Allison Goldfarb and Jackson MacIntosh, two musicians whose backgrounds already connect them to the city's and Montreal's alternative music scenes. Goldfarb is a musician and filmmaker from St. Louis, while MacIntosh is known as a member of TOPS.

The duo met in Los Angeles during in 2020 and bonded over a shared love of Sophisti-pop and Italo disco. Their subsequent experiments with synthesizers and drum machines eventually developed into Paycheque's unique sound.

Their self-titled debut album, Paycheque, was released in June 2026 and with only a handful of singles including "Heatwave" below, the duo has already made a name which intriguing enough to be featured here under Next Wave.

https://paychequemusique.bandcamp.com/album/paycheque

Interpol Return with Atmospheric New Single “This Mirror Weighs a Ton”

Interpol are back with “This Mirror Weighs a Ton,” the title track from their forthcoming eighth studio album. This Mirror Weighs a Ton arrives August 28 via Partisan Records, marking Interpol’s first album in four years and their debut release for the label. The album expands Interpol’s established palette with synthesizers, strings, acoustic guitars and experimental sound design while keeping up with atmosphere that have defined the band since their 2002 debut.

Small Pleasures Return with New Single “Driving At Night”

Victoria, BC post-punk duo Small Pleasures have returned with their new single “Driving At Night,” released July 21. The songs is the first preview of Small Pleasures’ forthcoming second album, following their 2025 debut Songs For Lovers. 

 

The Drums & Mareux Team Up for “It Didn’t Matter”

The Drums and Mareux have joined forces for a new song collaboration for “It Didn’t Matter.” The track blends The Drums’ indie pop sensibility with Mareux’s dark, synth-driven aesthetic. The song was released on August 19, 2026.

 

Instant Hit: Kim Davis - Hello (Is An Easy Word To Say)

Kim Davis released her only single of note, "Hello (Is An Easy Word To Say)," in 1986, a catchy, synth-driven Italo-disco track that came out on both 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl. While she wasn't the only Kim Davis in music, and this wasn't her sole release overall, it is undoubtedly the one that stands out, earning her a place among Euro-disco enthusiasts.

The Big Moon - Gravity

 The Big Moon have just recently announced the brand new single and video for the song "Gravity". The song will be taken from their fourth studio album Forever which is set for release in October.

WAW: Yello - Around The Sun

 Yello returned in June 2026 with "Around the Sun", their first new music since the 2020 album Point. The standalone single was released on 18 June 2026 through Polydor/Universal. Musically, "Around the Sun" reflects the lighter, warmer side of Yello than fans might expect, leaving the possibilities of a new studio album.

Soft Cell Release Title Track From Final Album - "Danceteria"

At the end of last year, Soft Cell announced the release of what they described as their final album, Danceteria. Sadly, Dave Ball passed away shortly afterwards, making the forthcoming record the duo's final studio statement. The album is scheduled for release in September this year. The title track, "Danceteria", was released this week. This dazzling discotastic "Danceteria" was visualised by collage artist Vicki Bennett. 

Retrovision: The Sugarcubes - Regina

Released in 1989 on The Sugarcubes' second album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, "Regina" perfectly captures the band's quirky and unpredictable charm of the late 80s. The song managed to top the the UK indie charts, but fared poorly in the mainstream charts outside of Iceland. The video for “Regina” was directed by Óskar Jónasson and Þorgeir Gunnarsson.