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

John Maus - No Title (Molly) (Smugglers Way FlexiZine)

“No Title (Molly)” by John Maus // Smuggler’s Way (Record Store Day Release) (2012)

Here’s another taste of one of the releases that you’ll be on the lookout for come Record Store Day (4/21/12). This time from the Smuggler’s Way comp (being released by Domino and Ribbon) that features the previously released new Real Estate jam, as well as new stuff from Dirty Projectors, Cass McCombs and many more. Those other releases pending, it’s going to be tough to top this new killer from John Maus. “No Title (Molly)” is a pulsing, driving, new wave cut that is as infectious as anything I’ve heard in ages. Absolutely a must listen!

(download) “No Title (Molly)” by John Maus (via Ribbon Music)

Frankie Rose - Soma

“Soma” by Frankie Rose // STROKED: A Tribute to “Is This It” (2011)

With this week’s release of Frankie Rose’s excellent album Interstellar, there will naturally be lots of people (rightfully) talking about her, and so I thought I’d dig out her wonderful contribution to Stereogum’s The Strokes tribute from last summer. It’s a little more rock than you might find on Interstellar’s new wave and synth leaning tracklist, but it’s a good sign of where she was heading with her sound. Definitely get out there and track down Interstellar if you haven’t already. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the year thus far. 

(download) STROKED: A Tribute to “Is This It” (via Stereogum)

Valentine

“Valentine” by Charli XCX // Valentine (single) (2012)

Charli XCX has been on a roll lately with a string of incredible synth pop jams that just seem to tap into some 80’s inspired John Hughes-directed world of youthful lost love. Here, she offers up a staggeringly catchy new wave jam for the Valentine’s holiday. It’s impossible for me to listen to this just once. I have a feeling it’ll be getting nonstop play for the next few days. Must listen. 

(download) “Valentine” by Charli XCX (via Soundcloud)

(via danceyrselfclean)

Frankie Rose - The Fall

“The Fall” by Frankie Rose // Interstellar (2012)

It’s far too early in the year to tell anything of note, but if i had to choose the one album that’s received more plays from me than any other, it’s without a doubt, Interstellar by Frankie Rose. I’ve already done my fair share of hyping this wonderful new release, but I figured one more track on a slow day wouldn’t hurt anyone. “The Fall” is the closing note of Interstellar and it’s an ethereal beauty. Like some of the best ambient/drone work done by Grouper, but more accessible. The haunting layered vocals and lo-fi synth pop production make it one of my absolute favorite single songs so far this year. I could live inside of “The Fall” and be absolutely content. It’s perfect. 

(stream) The entire album Interstellar by Frankie Rose (via PrettyMuchAmazing)

Frankie Rose - Interstellar

“Interstellar” by Frankie Rose // Interstellar (2012)

She’s three for three now. Following the killer one-two punch of “Know Me” and “Night Swim”, comes the title track of Frankie Rose’s forthcoming Slumberland release, “Interstellar”. What starts off as a lonely ballad builds steam and explodes into a harmony filled, space-synthed layered wonder that should pretty much insure that “Interstellar” will be an early front runner for album of the year (too soon? of course it is, but it’s really fucking great). Very excited to hear the full length. 

Trust - Sulk (Single Edit)

“Sulk” by Trust // TRST (2012)

Trust are about to drop their album, TRST on Toronto’s Arts & Crafts label (Broken Social Scene, Stars) and this new single, is pretty much all the music that I need to hear to ensure that I’ll be all over the full length. “Sulk” is a dark, melancholic, goth-pop rave-up that can just as easily have you dancing as it could have curled up in the corner, crying into your drink. It’s a gorgeous, eerie soundtrack to all future halloween dance parties. A must listen for fans of Hercules and Love Affair, Hot Chip, and early Depeche Mode.

The Golden Filter - Age Of Consent

“Age of Consent” by The Golden Filter // Power, Corruption, & Lies: Covered (2012)

MOJO’s excellent new collection of covers based on New Order’s synth pop classic Power, Corruption, & Lies contains a lot of songs that are great and play it easy on the cover. No surprises, just solid interpretation. Then there’s The Golden Filter’s take on fan favorite “Age of Consent” - and it’s almost completely unrecognizable. I say this not as a slam, but mostly just to give you a heads up that you could possibly listen to this synthed out electronic take on the track and never realize that you were listening to a cover of a beloved New Order song. The melody is almost entirely deconstructed, and it’s not until about three minutes in that everything starts to click - then the melody finds its way back to the original and in the last half something truly special happens when the track shifts into an ethereal dream for the dance floor. It takes a minute to get going, but the payoff is worth the effort. Pick up the entire compilation in the latest issue of MOJO, available now. 

09 A Puppy Is Not Just For Christmas

“A Puppy is Not Just For Christmas” by HEHFU // Music for My Broken Ears (2011)

The new HEHFU full length has been getting some air time in my ears for the past couple of weeks, but with the craziness of this time of the year and the general busy-ness of life, I hadn’t been able to give it my proper focus. Thankfully, all of that has changed these past few days and I’m finding myself hit the repeat button more and more. There’s a playfulness that weaves it’s way in and out of the album that makes it infectious as other times you’re hit with decidedly darker, serious tones. It doesn’t make for a schizophrenic listen in the least. In fact, it calls to mind the great Idlewild album “100 Broken Windows” which straddled the angst line with great indie pop. Of course, there’s shades of other sounds at play as well. Take for instance the Joy Division-esque driving post-punk rhythm (and synth line) of “A Puppy is Not For Christmas”, which is a genuine killer of a track. A gigantic leap forward for the band who were already making great use of the lo-fi, indie pop sounds in their previous EPs. The lean into the darker sounds of new wave and post punk is just what HEHFU needed to give it that extra little push and hopefully people will take notice. They’ve made a wonderful record that deserves your attention, and for the time being you can score it from Bandcamp for Name-Your-Price. You won’t be disappointed. 

HEFHU @ | bandcamp | soundcloud | tumblr |

Mozart Parties - Memory Thunderstorm

“Memory Thunderstorm” by Mozart Parties // Memory Thunderstorm EP (2011)

There seems to be no end in site to the good music that continually finds its way into the world. How is one ever supposed to take a step back and breathe and just absorb all of this beautiful music? Fuck it. I suppose that’s a riddle to be figured out another day. For now, there’s an excellent free new EP from Mozart Parties over at Facebook. This is the title track from said EP and it’s a layered, swirling synth pop beauty that is a must listen for fans of Active Child, CANT, and Washed Out. 

(download) Memory Thunderstorm EP by Mozart Parties (free @ FB)

(via danceyrselfclean)

pacificUV - Funny Girl

“Funny Girl” by pacificUV // Weekends (2012)

For those looking for catchy, melodic synthy-goodness with clever Morrissey-ish lyrics (specific, i know), look no further because pacificUV are back with some new tricks up their sleeve. In fact, with this and their recent cover of The Smiths’ “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”, pacificUV sound like an entirely new monster from their previous material. Everything is clicking here and it’s a fucking blast to hear. If this is what we’re in store for, then Weekends (to be released 01.31.12) is looking like a surefire AOTY contender for 2012!

Small Black -- Love's Not Enough

“Love’s Not Enough” by Small Black // Moon Killer (2011)

Seriously, three songs are all that I’ve heard and it’s clear that I’m going to be head over heels in love with the new Small Black mixtape, Moon Killer. This new track from the forthcoming mixtape (available tomorrow) features a sample of Nicki Minaj’s “Your Love” and it’s used to spectacular effect. Shimmering synths and melancholic sing-along choruses are kind of Small Black’s things, but they just seem to be firing on all cylinders here. There’s not a bad thing about this excellent jam. Definitely worth hearing about fifty times in a row.