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)

Mister Lies & Different Sleep - Vermont (Baptism) (Out Now via Absent Fever)

“Vermont (Baptism)” by Mister Lies & Different Sleep // Mass EP (2012)

Speaking of Mister Lies, here is the second post of the day from the up and coming Chicago producer. This time in his collaboration with producer, Different Sleep. You can stream the entire collaborative EP over at the excellent Soundcloud of, Portals. The ambient/gospel themed is a downtempo beauty with airy loops and beats hovering over each other as the atmosphere builds to something positively ethereal. Check it out. For fans of Air, Zero 7, and Washed Out. 

(stream) “Mass EP” by Mister Lies & Different Sleep (via PRTLS Soundcloud)

(buy) “Mass EP” by Mister Lies and Different Sleep (via Absent Fever’s Bandcamp)

Sacred Animals vs. Steffaloo, "On Fire"

“On Fire” by Sacred Animals vs. Steffaloo // On Fire (2012)

Months back when Steffaloo released “On Fire”, I remember thinking that it was a pretty, contemplative ambient/folk track, but it didn’t especially grab me much outside of the initial listen. Fast forward to a couple of days ago and FADER premieres a new spin on the track courtesy of Dublin’s Sacred Animals, and It’s a wholly different experience. Gone are the quiet, hushed guitars and in their place are shimmering, otherworldy synths and jittery, chopped percussion that build and swirl around the original vocal, making it into something spooky, ethereal, and downright pretty. Definitely check it out. For fans of M83, Keep Shelly in Athens, and Korallreven.

Jesse Ruins - Dream Analysis

“Dream Analysis” by Jesse Ruins // Dream Analysis EP (2012)

This track has been floating around Soundcloud for a little while now, but it was finally released about six weeks back on Captured Tracks (also collecting their other online singles), and that’s as good of a time as any to highlight one of my favorite up and coming dream pop and ambient bands. “Dream Analysis” floats by on a humming synth line and the layers just effortlessly add to the chilled, dreamy vibe. Twinkling piano keys, buzzing ethereal synths, otherworldly vocal loops, it’s all just perfectly executed. It’s a lullaby for the late night come downs. When the excitement of a good evening doesn’t immediately dissipate and needs a lovely little track to help bring you to your night’s end. Highest recommendation - for fans of Keep Shelly in Athens, I Break Horses, and M83. 

(order) “Dream Analysis EP” by Jesse Ruins (via Captured Tracks)

Sand Circles - White Sand

“White Sand” by Sand Circles // Motor City (2012)

“White Sand” from Sweden’s Sand Circles sounds like it’s being broadcast from some alternate universe version of 1983 in which William Friedken and David Lynch collaborated on some strange crime noir and this was the resulting film score. It’s a haunting, otherworldly dream that feels like a slice of fully realized art cut from a much larger piece. It’s stunning and different and sure to be the soundtrack to many a creative night in my future. 

(order) Motor City by Sand Circles (out now on Not Not Fun)

My Favorite - Homeless Club Kids

“Homeless Club Kids” by My Favorite // The Happiest Days of Our Lives (2002)

I suppose I should post something since I am around and have a moment, but I don’t feel like digging through the new stuff just yet, so I thought I’d repost something that’s about a decade old, by a band that no longer exists (My Favorite), but hasn’t aged a day because it’s a track that was never really given the exposure that it deserved. “Homeless Club Kids” is one of my feel-good songs in life, I can always manage to bring myself out of some sort of hole, for at least a few minutes, by playing this track. Granted, on the surface, it’s sort of an chilly, synth heavy dance track, but there’s something so dreamy and warm and welcoming about the song, even as the lyrics delve into semi-dark places (“the ghosts of dead teenagers sing to me while i am dancing”). Point being, it’s one of those wonderful songs that I have in my back pocket at all times, and am always excited to hear, share, or just to discover again. If you’ve never heard it, give it a shot. For fans of Chairlift, Porcelain Raft, and Charli XCX. 

Amateur Love - Con/A Sewer/Cat

“Con/A Sewer/Cat” by Amateur Love // It’s All Aquatic (2003 // re-issue 2012)

If there’s one thing that I dislike about the current state of music blogging, it’s the ever reaching grab for the newest, hottest, most underground tracks without even the quickest of looks over the shoulder at what might have been missed in months or years passed. Luckily from time to time, an old forgotten album that I’ve championed to people over the years gets a re-issue from a solid source and it offers people a chance to look at it anew without having to take time out of their newnewnew searches. Amateur Love’s excellent 2003 release “It’s All Aquatic” is one such release. A batch of vivid, noise pop and dream pop gems with an electronic edge from a band out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Luckily, the other famous guy in Eau Claire (Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon) has an imprint label (Chigliak) with Jagjaguwar and it’s first release is his old friend’s album, “It’s All Aquatic”, remastered and ready for a new generation of listens. In the event that you’ve missed out on Amateur Love in the past, now’s a good chance to catch up, and this is the first remastered taste of the album in the form of jittery, power noise pop jam “Con/A Sewer/Cat”. Highest recommendation. 

* Amateur Love’s “It’s All Aquatic” will be re-issued May 22nd.  

Boy Friend - Drive (The Cars Cover)

“Drive” by Boy Friend // Originally by The Cars

Boy Friend have a sound that is firmly placed in my alley. Dreamy, ethereal pop music that bends to the somber and features haunting vocals. Yep, that’s pretty much their entire bag and they do it well. On their recent (and excellent) release, “Egyptian Wrinkle”, they’ve included a bonus disc for vinyl purchases and on that disc you will find an incredible cover of one of the best radio jams of the 80’s, “Drive” by The Cars. Now, plenty of people have stepped in and covered this synthed out ballad over the years (Deftones did a pretty excellent version a few years back), but I’m always up for someone taking a crack at this classic and Boy Friend do not disappoint. It’s a track built for a night drive so get out under the stars and push up that volume because it’s all going to be okay. 

New Build - Silence and the Muttering

“The Silence and the Muttering” by New Build // Yesterday Was Lived and Lost (2012)

New Build’s “Yesterday Was Lived and Lost” is one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and it’s genuinely surprising to me that it’s not getting more press, considering it’s made up of two members of Hot Chip (Al Doyle and Felix Martin, and also electronic composer Tom Hopkins). Whatever the case, it’s something that needs to change, as it’s a fantastic album, loaded with dreamy atmospherics, killer synth lines, and memorable melodies. “The Silence and the Muttering” is one of the standouts on the album. It has a distinct 80’s electro synth-pop feel without being kitschy, but the ethereal synths and the earcandy melody take it to another level. It is a perfect kind of jam to hold you over till the next Hot Chip album drops. You can actually stream the whole thing now over at Soundcloud. Get on that. A MUST LISTEN.

(stream and buy) “Yesterday Was Lived and Lost” by New Build (via Bandcamp)

Burial + Four Tet - Nova

“Nova” by Four Tet & Burial // Nova (2012)

And just when your Sunday night was winding down a calming close, Four Tet goes and drops a jam on his soundcloud that will provide you with all of the cinematic, haunting sounds that you’ll need for a good night’s listen. This fractured, somber composition is a collaboration with Burial (perhaps a leftover from the Moth sessions?) and you can feel both artists all over it. Just an absolute stunner. It’s a dark, haunting, gorgeous lullaby that must be heard. 

Grimes - Angel (Bonus Track)

“Angel” by Grimes // Visions (Bonus Track Version) (2012)

There are a few bonus tracks floating around out there on various versions of Grimes’ Visions. This gorgeous, dream pop lullaby comes from the Amazon online version. It’s a perfect little slice of electro pop that feels custom made for a late night make out or study or sleep, or whatever it is you do at 2:37am. Sadly, it’s only 90 seconds long and therefore will be forced into repeat for the next few hours. Press play. It’s stunning. How did this not make the album?

Chromatics - Into the Black

“Into the Black” by Chromatics // Originally by Neil Young (2012)

Chromatics have a lock down on that late night, driving under the stars sort of sound. Now they’ve taken that atmospheric vibe and placed it brilliantly over a cover of Neil Young’s “Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)”. It’s a subtle, slightly ominous, widescreen-cinematic take on the original that would perfectly soundtrack any trip down a dusty lost highway. It’s a stunner. Definitely worth all the listens. 

(download) “Into the Black” by Chromatics (via p4k)

Burial - Loner

“Loner” by Burial // Kindred EP (2012)

Burial is back with an excellent new EP, entitled Kindred, that’s currently streaming over at Soundcloud and it’s a spectacular return to form. Once again, he blends ambient soundscapes with hypnotic dub loops and haunting vocal samples to create something wholly original and unlike anything else currently being labelled “dubstep” on these shores. “Loner” is the first b-side on the project and it’s all of those things listed above and then some. Perfect music to fill those lost hours after the bar and before you find yourself resting your head. 

(streaming) Kindred EP by Burial

Boy Friend - False Cross

“The False Cross” by Boy Friend // Egyptian Wrinkle (2012)

The new Boy Friend full length is finally available for purchase at Bandcamp, and it’s a beauty that takes their dream pop sounds to more dark and atmospheric places. “The False Cross” originally appeared on their Boy Friend EP last year in a more subdued, ambient take, but here it appears with the production tweaked a bit and the hard driving piano line and vocals front and center. It’s a big improvement on an already stellar song. Highest recommendation for those who like Keep Shelly in Athens, Echo Lake, and Sleep ∞ Over. 

(pre-order) Egyptian Wrinkle by Boy Friend (via Bandcamp)

Pacific Uv - Feels Like I'm Going Home

“Feels Like I’m Going Home” by PacificUV // Weekends (2012)

The new PacificUV album is a dreamy, shoegazey stunner from front to back, but the track that really grabbed me the most and continues to get played on repeat is “Feels Like I’m Going Home”. It’s a sweet, melancholic lullaby that sounds like part love song, part eulogy. It’s a killer track with airy synths and floating vocals, that just begs you to hit the “repeat” button as you chill yourself into the night. Absolutely must listen for fans of Lilys, Neon Indian, and The Radio Dept.