Catiline

“Catiline” by Fight Bite // Fight Bite (2012)

Fight Bite is the dream pop solo project of Leanne Macomber (Neon Indian). She makes haunting, ethereal dream pop soundscapes that sound like their being broadcast from some other plane of existence. Gauzy, hypnotic atmospherics layered over gorgeous vocal harmonies. Think something like Beach House and Sigur Ros  collaborating in a haunted house and you’re almost there. Fight Bite’s new self titled album is available now on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Give it a listen, or press play above to hear the lush, ghostly album opener “Catiline”. This is one of the best albums that I’ve heard all year. Highest recommendation for fans of Beach House, Mum, Julianna Barwick. 

Teen Daze - Hold

“Hold” by Teen Daze // All of Us, Together (2012)

The new Teen Daze album is loaded with gorgeous ambient soundscapes and truthfully you could pick any of them and find a winner, but this late evening, I’ve found myself with a particular track on repeat. The cascading synth lines and humming electronics of “Hold” have kept me company this evening (though truthfully, you are doing yourself a disservice by not purchasing all of “All Of Us, Together”). There is something oddly inviting about the cool, chilled sounds that permeate through the track. It’s a beautiful bit of ambiance that is more than just static sound. It’s an invite to experience something greater, and that greater is the new full length, “All of Us, Together”. 

 (order) “All of Us, Together” by Teen Daze (Via Lefse Records)

Born

“Born” by Fear of Men // Green Sea 7” (2012)

It’s hard to beat the jangle pop vibe that Fear of Men pull off on both “Green Sea” and this b-side, “Born”. Sounding something like a mash-up of Belle & Sebastian and The Sundays, this dreamy blast of sweet melodies and lush harmonies is absolutely the kind of sound that I have been craving as of late. I can’t wait to hear more from this UK band, as soon as possible. Highly recommended for fans of Belle & Sebastian, The Sundays, and Dum Dum Girls. 

Port St. Willow - Tourist

“Tourist” by Port St. Willow // Holiday (2012)

Port St. Willow is the pseudonym of artist, Nick Principe, who also happens to be a lifelong friend of Peter Silberman, of the The Antlers. I only bring up the connection to Silberman’s band because often times on Port St. Willow’s excellent new album, he gives The Antlers a run for their money on crafting dark, atmospheric dream pop. In fact, on album standout, “Tourist”, Port St. Willow layers on the atmospherics and stormy production in a way that sounds like it could be a b-side to The Antler’s excellent, Burst Apart. Principe’s vocals are clear and beautifully mixed with the surrounding sounds in a way that actually brings to mind some of Jeff Buckley’s later work. “Holiday” is available now at Bandcamp and I highly recommend it to fans of The Antlers, Jeff Buckley, and Department of Eagles. 

(stream & purchase) “Holiday” by Port St. Willow (via Bandcamp)

Ocean Floor For Everything

“Ocean Floor for Everything” by How to Dress Well // Total Loss (Autumn, 2012)

Tom Krell’s How to Dress Well is one of my favorite things in the world. Hands down. In my opinion, the man has done no wrong so far in his career and now that he’s finally announced his new album (following last year’s excellent Just Once EP), we’ve got a taste of the new material and it’s magnificent. Once again, he slips into lo-fi R&B soundscapes, manipulating his voice to act as an instrument that glides over abstract beats and ambient textures. Of course, I can do no justice with a description, it’s best you just press play and hear one of the best songs to drop this year. Highest recommendation for fans Top Girls,  Active Child, and Balam Acab.

(download) “Ocean Floor for Everything” by How to Dress Well (via HTDW Soundcloud)

Cascading Keys

“Cascading Keys” by Alice Cohen // Pink Keys (2012)

“Cascading Keys” is the perfect name for this shimmering bit of synth pop, as the track kicks off with a flood of synth and piano notes flowing over one another before it all gels and the beat kicks in to start up a killer synth pop jam. Alice Cohen’s vocal melodies are layered over one another and form something like a strangely beautiful 80’s pop song that you’ve never heard before. It’s a great track and definitely something you’re going to want to hear a few times as soon as possible. Highly recommended for fans of Grimes, John Maus, and Nite Jewel.

“Pink Keys” is due out June 12th, via Olde English Spelling Bee

Girls Names  - Girls Names - A Troubled See

“A Troubled See” by Girls Names // Girls Names/Weird Dreams Split 7” (2012)

Girls Names are back following their excellent lo-fi, garage pop album, “Dead to Me”, this time with a split 7” with labelmates Weird Dreams. You might notice a different vibe on this track - gone is the loose and loud garage vibe of the previous releases and in their place is a post-punk rhythm with new wave synths and vocals that are front and center. It’s a dark, dream pop sound that has me absolutely worked up for what’s next from Girls Names. Highly recommended for fans of Minks, Wild Nothing, and Echo Lake. 

(via alltomorrowmusic)

Holograms - "Chasing My Mind"

“Chasing My Mind” by Holograms // Holograms (Out July 10th via Captured Tracks)

Stockholm’s Holograms have a particular ramshackle energy and charm about them. Drawing on 80’s new wave and lo-fi indie sounds, they smash their way through infectious melodies and work up a sweat while doing so. “Chasing My Mind” is another track from their forthcoming, self-titled album, and it’s another winner. It’s a driving punk beat covered in charging guitar riffs and old-sci-fi synth swirls and featuring some of the more enjoyable fist pumping sing-a-long vocals in a while. Highest recommendation for fans of (early) Wolf Parade, Gap Dream, and The Men

Things will get better

“Things Will Get Better” by Tollens // We’re Not Afraid to Die (Dig. Single) (2012)

Tollens is a bedroom pop project from Malta based musician, Ryan Formosa, who came to my attention through the excellent music blog/digital label, Fuzzbook. “Things Will Get Better” is the b-side to his excellent forthcoming single, “We’re Not Afraid to Die” (Out May 21 on Fuzzbook.Bandcamp). While both tracks are excellent, dreamy, lo-fi bedroom pop, the somber, quiet beauty of “Things Will Get Better” just grabbed me with it’s fuzzy production and dreamy, distant vocals that almost seem as if they’re being played from your old favorite mixtape that’s been rewound so much that it starts to sound as if it’s transmitting from another world. The sweet, heartfelt dream pop song is definitely something to be excited about and sure enough, I’ll be keeping my eyes on Tollens in the future. Highly recommended for fans of Arrange, Little Chords, and Coma Cinema. 

(stream) More Tollens @ Soundcloud

SAINT MOTEL - 1997

“1997” by Saint Motel // Voyeur (Out July 10th via On the Records)

It’s been a busy couple of days and posts have lacked, but luckily some of the other great Tumblr music bloggers (Danceyrselfclean in this case)are filling my dash with tracks to gravitate towards. New music from Los Angeles based indie pop band, Saint Motel is a fun treat loaded up with energetic power pop, balanced and layered production, and with hooks for days. “1997” actually reminds me a fair bit of the halcyon days of Brit-pop where horns, pianos, and layered harmonies were common place among the popular kids. That is by no means insinuate that “1997” feels dated, on the contrary. If you’re fans of Shout Out Louds and Bombay Bicycle Club, you might find yourself with this track immediately stuck in your head as well. 

(via danceyrselfclean)

The Walkmen - The House You Made

“The House You Made” by The Walkmen // Heaven (Single 7”) (2012)

Another week, and The Walkmen continue to drop magnificent tracks for all to enjoy in the lead up to the release of their forthcoming, “Heaven”. This time, the track is a b-side to first official single and title track, “Heaven”. It continues the sad-teenage-love-song sound and 50’s doo-wop inspirations that some of the other tracks have showcased, but this one might be the best yet, with Hamilton Leithauser’s voice crooning beautifully along with somber guitar notes that just float hauntingly into the distance. Absolutely highest recommendation. Great stuff. 

TEARS by HEALTH

“Tears” by HEALTH // Max Payne 3 - Official Score (2012)

From the onslaught of recent promo material for the new Max Payne game, I was aware that HEALTH contributed a song, but I had no idea that they were responsible for the entire score to the video game. That’s a nice little bonus to look forward to in the coming days. Also nice, is the lead off track that’s been featured in the bulk of those TV promos, the dark, buzzsawing electro shoegaze cut, “Tears”. It’s a haunting, blast of jagged synths, muted beats, and ghostly vocals. Definitely worth hearing. For fans of Crystal Castles, Pictureplane, and A Place to Bury Strangers. 

Love in the Soviet Union - No Shadow

“No Shadow” by Love in the Soviet Union // “Make/Shift” (Release Date: TBD)

One of the perks of maintaining a music blog with a fair amount of consistency, is that sometimes you encounter great music from readers who offer you an early taste. Sure, plenty of those times don’t always connect with me, but from time to time I’m lucky enough to hear from someone who’s right up my alley. Love in the Soviet Union is the moniker of bedroom pop musician, Tim Woulfe, and his debut single (to be released this summer) contains the absolutely infectious “No Shadow”, a dreamy, jangly, blast of reverb pop that would be right at home on the current crop of killer bands on Captured Tracks or Slumberland Records. The real plus of this little bedroom pop gem is that where similar bands focus heavily on the romantic and the hushed vocals, here, you get something slightly more aggressive, and intense, but no less lovely and charming. Like hearing Daniel Blumberg of Yuck (at his more playful), fronting a band that’s more Beach Fossils than Pavement. It’s a great song, and highly recommended for fans of Minks, Wild Nothing, and Beach Fossils. 

(download) “No Shadow” by Love in the Soviet Union (via Soundcloud)

Lace Curtains - High Fantasy

“High Fantasy” by Lace Curtains // The Garden of Joy & The Well of Loneliness (TBD 2012, out on Female Fantasy)

Michael Coomer, of Harlem, sent a new track to GorillaVsBear under his new moniker, Lace Curtains, and it’s a great little blast of confessional lo-fi, power pop. Jangly guitars and killer melodies are all over this gem, which you can grab for free from GVB. Highly recommended for fans of Harlem, Cloud Nothings, and The Wrens. 

(download) “High Fantasy” by Lace Curtains (via GVB) 

Dead Mellotron 'Making Up'

“Making Up” by Dead Mellotron // Glitter (2012)

Dead Mellotron’s excellent new album, “Glitter” (Out now on Sonic Cathedral) is a shoegaze album with character. Each track has something special that sets it apart from the last, but the overall affect remains consistent and progressive. Without getting into a full album review, I’d like to draw attention to one particular standout, in the dark, gorgeous shoegazer, “Making Up”. This track has a Sonic Youth vibe in it’s darker, mid-tempo beat, and forlorn guitars. Think of Dead Meadow’s “Old Growth” album, or last year’s excellent “Prom” from Grooms, and you’ll get why I’m so in love with this particular track. It’s eerie, melodic drone and haunting vocals sound custom made for a late night drive through Autumn months. It’s a killer track from a stellar album. Highest recommendation.