As we transition into warmer weather and longer summer nights, let’s take a break from blasting those summer jams and turn it down a notch with something smoother. Grab a glass of wine (or 21-and-under appropriate iced tea) and wind down with this series of feather-light vocals and refined beats to match.

Quadron – Sea Salt

I always call Quadron my long-lost favorite band of all time. The Danish duo, which consists of Coco O and Robin Hannibal (who also happens to be the lead singer of equally dreamy group Rhye), came out with a self-titled album in 2009, and when I found out about it this past year, I swear it was love at first play. They describe themselves as electronic soul, but it’s just as easy to characterize them as lush, jazz-laced R&B with equal parts sass and sensuality. “Sea Salt” is a track off our their new album Avalanche and “Slippin’” is off of Quadron.

Jai Paul – Jasmine

“Jasmine” is a track from the leaked self-titled album that is supposedly the debut album from UK singer-songwriter Jai Paul. The situation is confusing, but nonetheless the song is a rad follow-up to his 2011 hit, “BTSTU” I’m not quite sure how to describe it, but it’s kinda like taking a velvety magic carpet ride on acid through a solar system dripping with glitter and bass. In other words, it’s pretty awesome. We’re all waiting in anticipation for the official album release, but for now, here’s a taste of what to expect.

How To Dress Well – & It Was U

Tom Krell, the ingenious sweetheart behind How To Dress Well, is another artist you’ll quickly and easily find yourself becoming infatuated with. “& It Was U” is a snappy, sweet bit off of his last LP, Total Loss. Having remixed Beyonce and done covers of Janet Jackson and R. Kelly, Krell is quickly proving to be a game-changer in the R&B genre.

Chromatics – Ceremony (New Order Cover) ft. Ida No

I stumbled upon this delightful cover awhile back, and it remains one of my go-to tracks when I want to chill out to Chromatics (a combination which happens quite often, actually). It’s a modern take on a classic and there’s not much else I have to say about it – sit back, bliss out and enjoy.

tUnE-yArDs – Wooly Wolly Gong

This one’s another lovely throwback, this time to tUnE-yArDs’ 2011 album, w h o k i l l. The band’s music can get a bit too quirky for me at times, but the song’s simplistic production has a deliciously haunting effect that hits all the right spots. I’ve definitely tweeted it once and I’ll put it out there again, but I think that someone needs to record a clean verse over this and fulfill its potential for becoming rap-instrumental gold. Any takers?

As always, feel free to send or tweet me comments, suggestions or whatever your heart desires!

Contact Ashley Chen at achen@dailycal.org. Check her out on Twitter at @avivranthing.

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