Sin Fang: "What's Wrong With Your Eyes"

On his third solo album Flowers, Sindri Már Sigfússon, also known as Sin Fang, delivers some lush, dreamlike arrangements and killer harmonies and hooks. "What's Wrong With Your Eyes" is excruciatingly beautiful and deceptively simple both in composition and lyrically as Sin croons: "I threw my arms into the darkness/we flew out of windows/made the trees grow out of your eyes/when I tell you you're alright/there's nothing wrong with your eyes."

And just for good measure, here's my favorite Seabear song:

D.D Dumbo: "Tropical Oceans"

There isn't much information about D.D Dumbo except that they (he?) is from Castlemaine in Australia and a guy named Oliver Hugh Perry writes the tunes. Beyond that there isn't much except the tribal, experimental, well-executed pop sound of "Tribal Oceans," from their eponymous EP, available at a name-your-own price here.

Daniel Romano: "Middle Child"

I can count on one hand the number of times I've immediately purchased an album by an unknown artist just on the basis of one song. But I did just that with Daniel Romano's Come Cry With Me. I haven't yet had a chance to listen to the entire album but the song in question is "Middle Child," a gut-wrenching ballad that hearkens back to the best classic country numbers like Johnnie Ray's "Cry." Just get a load of the album cover. It's vintage inspired and earnest, with just the right hint of irony. 

Len: "Gonna Take Some Time"

Do y'all remember Len? You know, that "Steal My Sunshine" group. You remember that song, right? And now it's stuck in your head isn't it? You're welcome. Anyhow, did you know they still made music? No, for realz. I wouldn't make this shit up. Apparently they've been producing a bunch of things since "Sunshine" was all over radio in 1999. No, seriously. This is despite the fact that only a MySpace page (a what?) exists and no one remembers anything about them except for "Steal My Sunshine." Well, their new album It's Easy If You Try tries and tries but is nothing more than a(nother?) throwaway. Except, of course, for "Gonna Take Some Time." It's quite a delightful pop number and doesn't have to sample porno-disco to prove it.

Update: Oh, wait! I found an official site, Facebook and a Twitter account! Who knew? Thank you, interwebz.


Len - Gonna Take Some Time

Noisettes: "Let The Music Play" and "Winner"

The Noisettes' most recent album Contact, released last summer, failed to make the impact on the UK charts that its predecessor Wild Young Hearts did. But we don't care very much for charts around here ... at least when they're not reflective of our personal opinions. However, Contact is quite a varied, enjoyable affair. In fact, it's spectacular throwback indie pop that pays homage to a host of musical genres -- sometimes all in one song.




Noisettes - Let the Music Play

Kerli: "Last Breath" and "Sugar"

Estonian singer Kerli had the misfortune of gaining traction, buzz and exposure as a dance-pop singer at exactly the same time Lady Gaga blew up. No, their musical styles are not entirely the same, and I don't think either artist is trying to emulate the other, but the similarities are too striking to not comment. While Lady Gaga might more globally famous and popular Kerli, who has lived in Estonia, Sweden and the United States, among other places, might be more worldly. As such she brings a noticeable global sound that Lady Gaga lacks. 

Her newest album, Utopia, which is scheduled for release in the spring, has already leaked. Is it a great album? No. But it does offer some enjoyable ear candy, especially on the dance numbers. "Last Breath" is a standout, as is "Can't Control the Kids." The ballads are saccharine and unmemorable but songs like the mid-tempo "Sugar," with its late '90s/early '00s r&b textures are great fun.


Kerli - Last Breath

Kerli - Sugar

Until June: "I Would Never Hurt You" and "Shake Me"

I was completely unfamiliar with Until June until I decided to take a chance and download their album, Young and Foolish, song unheard, for no other reason than I liked the cover. Yes, dear reader, I judged an album by its cover. Just what mom always told me not to do. But mom also said that sometimes you've got to take risks. And, as in the case of Until June, sometimes the risk pays off. Apparently the LA-based band has roots in Christian rock which sort of rubs me the wrong way because I don't believe in organized religion and Christians and gays have a long, contentious relationship. But I'm willing to put my differences aside for good music.

[MP3] Swiss Lips: "In the Water" and "Carolyn"

It's been a little over a year since I last wrote about the five sexy UK lads of Swiss Lips. At the time there wasn't much information about them save for a tune "U Got the Power" and its accompanying video which used clips from Breakin' and Beat Street. In the last year they've posted several other tunes on their SoundCloud in preparation for their first official EP called Danz, which does not yet have a release date. Their song "Carolyn" was recently featured on a Music Alliance Pact compilation and while its sing-song chorus is stellar it doesn't beat the electropop genius of "In the Water," with its glistening, sparkling arrangement. It's aural summer.

Fibes, Oh Fibes!: "Cerahtonia"

Swedish pop-rock group Fibes, Oh Fibes! take their name from famed Austin-based Fibes Drum Company. There are drums a-plenty in "Cerahtonia," released in December 2011 and taken from the band's 2012 album called Album. This drumbeat is courtesy of John Eriksson from Peter, Bjorn and John.

Ex Cops: "James"

Exquisite jangle pop is the order of the day on "James," the new single from Brooklyn-based Ex Cops. This one is best appreciated on headphones so you can hear the subtle nuances and, of course, the perfectly punctuated harmonies. The up-and-coming duo -- Brian Harding and Amalie Bruun -- is releasing their debut album True Hallucinations on the Other Music Recording Co. on January 22; their debut single "You Are A Lion, I Am A Lamb" b/w "The Millionaire" launched the imprint last April. You can pre-order the album here.

Scooter: "4 AM" (Radio Version)

I was unaware that German techno dance group Scooter is, at least according to Wikipedia, "considered the most successful German single-record act with 23 top ten hits." Who knew? "4 AM" is the first single from their recently-released sixteenth studio album Music for a Big Night Out. This is for those who haven't yet decided to stop partying since Monday night. You know who you are, gurl.