Welcome back to another edition of Swano5ive, where we spotlight five tracks that moved us this week. From silky R&B grooves to experimental electronica, here’s what had us hitting repeat:
This song makes me feel like I’m wrapped in velvet at midnight:
David Laborier– The Smoothness of You
David Laborier serves up velvet guitar over lush, undulating drums. The production feels like liquid sunshine, with subtle guitar licks weaving between the layers of Rhodes and soft percussion. It's an ode to intimacy—Laborier’s playing is tender without veering into saccharine territory. A perfect late‑night listen that balances sophistication and soul.
This record has the feeling of a digital attack:
beetamax– DOOMSCROLLER
Dive headfirst into chaos with beetamax’s glitch‑pop anthem. Searing synth stabs collide with fractured samples, mimicking the frantic scroll through an endless newsfeed. It’s abrasive, thrilling, and somehow cathartic—an urgent reminder of our collective screen addiction. If Aphex Twin and SOPHIE got tangled in a data cable, this would be the soundtrack.
This song makes me feel like cruising down the coast at golden hour:
Alex Slay– Sure Thing
Alex Slay crafts a breezy, feel‑good jam anchored by sun‑kissed guitar chords and laid‑back grooves. The chorus is irresistibly catchy—Slay’s vocal swagger glides effortlessly over the bright instrumentation. There’s an understated confidence here: nothing is overproduced, yet every element feels meticulously placed. Ideal for driving with the windows down.
This record has a feeling of twirling in a dream you can’t wake from:
Gicken Johansson– Danse à l’Envers
A daring excursion into avant‑pop/jazz, “Danse à l’Envers” flips traditional song structure on its head. This record has a perfect touch to a sophisticated night.
A record that makes me feel like I’m standing on the edge of my own thoughts:
ANASTÁZIE– heart/mind?
Rounding out the set is ANASTÁZIE’s intimate electro‑soul ballad. Sparse piano chords open into a swell of ambient pads, framing a soulful vocal performance that grapples with the tension between emotion and reason. The production’s subtle use of space—echoing snaps and distant field recordings—mirrors the song’s introspective theme. A contemplative closer that lingers long after the last note.
That’s a wrap for Episode 16 of Swano5ive. Which track caught your ear this week? Let us know on Instagram @SwanoDown, and stay tuned for more!
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