Maple & Beech is the project of Minnesota producer Tyler Tholl, which originally began as a solo recording project, but has since grown into a seven-member ensemble of Tholl's friends and family. Possibly, this village of musicians is the reason why we’re confronted with such a rich and multi-layered sound in the band’s newest single ‘Side-Eye’. They are proudly experimental pop, and it’s this lively mixture - lashings of creativity with infectious hooks - that makes tracks like ‘Side-Eye’ an instant favourite here at TMR. Opening with haunting electronics, the song creeps up on the unwitting listener. It’s all sample pads, synths and magnetised vocals until the track bursts into a cool and catchy chorus, “ooh-my-oh-my, c’mon give me that side eye,” croons Tholl. This sideways glance of a tune really does keeps on giving; there’s an impressive horn section, runaway rhythms, even a dog bark to add that extra edge of weird and wonderful. Just as you’ve gotten into the groove of things, Maple & Beech pull the rug out from under you just shy of three minutes. It really leaves you with no other choice but to press play again. - Hannah Thacker