Caught in the Net: Change of tune is music to my ears

Normally when a film director moves into music-making I would handle with care – but art-house maven Jim Jarmusch has decent music pedigree, stretching back to New York's early-80s no wave/new wave era, when he was involved in a number of music projects.

Then there's his excellent taste as evinced by the great soundtracks in his films (for a fine primer, check out this episode of online radio programme All Songs Considered from a few years back, when he discussed music in his work: ind.pn/11PZy6p). Even his unlikely guitar/ lute experiments with Jozef van Wissem turned out okay. For his next trick, Jarmusch is releasing a four-track EP, with Carter Logan and Shane Stoneback, under the guise of SQURL. The digital and vinyl release comes on 20 May, but opening track, "Pink Dust", is available already at ind.pn/11Q1egf, showcasing the group's brand of experimental guitar noise – with plenty of other sounds thrown in, too.

Heading for the top with minimal fuss

On 3 June, the Croydon singer-songwriter Jamie Isaac releases his debut EP, I Will Be Cold Soon, on 12 inch vinyl and digital formats through the House Anxiety label. One track from the four-song release is already streaming at snd.sc/12cvwc6. "Softly Draining Seas" is a beautiful minimalist piece, with Isaac's gentle voice floating over a slight piano motif and some electronic clicks. It will lead to inevitable comparisons with the sparse work of James Blake – and at just 18, there will be plenty of interest in what the future holds for Isaac.

Whang's always worth waiting for

In the two years since the dissolution of LCD Soundsystem, keyboard player and vocalist Nancy Whang has found plenty to do, contributing to music by the likes of Holy Ghost! and DFA label-mate Shit Robot. In her latest effort, she supplies a lovely lovelorn-meets-laid-back vocal for the current single by LA duo Classixx. The track, "All You're Waiting For", is a perfect song to kick off the summer: full of hazy synths and easy-going beats, blasts of nu-disco and an air of yearning and nostalgia. The song is streaming on SoundCloud at snd.sc/11JPMS3, and comes from Classixx's new album, Hanging Gardens, out next week.