Tom Krell, aka How to Dress Well, released his gorgeously mournful third LP, What Is This Heart?, on June 24 through Domino/Weird World. The album boldly expands the 29-year-old singer’s intimate, atmospheric sound, often called “indie R&B,” into ambient, pop, new wave and beyond. What kind of music inspires such a quixotic singer to make such a wide-ranging album? Krell explains. —Nick Williams
BRIAN ENO, “AND THEN SO CLEAR”
”In my mind this is his perfect pop song. It’s Auto-Tuned, harmonium voice, with guitar and distant drums. I got into it about two years ago, and I listen to it constantly. It was the Eno I was looking for, where he hybridizes pop with ambient and experimental aspects.”
FUTURE, “BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS”
“This song is so beautiful, especially the guitars.…