Sleigh Bells – Sleigh Bells (2009)

The easiest way to describe this is like a lost Destiny’s Child EP made by hipsters. And by that I mean it’s quite possibly the dance record of the summer. It’s also incredibly addictive in the best possible way.

Sample.

Myspace.

Radical Face – Ghost (2007)

Radical Face is a largely overlooked Electric President side project of Ben Cooper that I would consider the superior of the two bands. Many of the songs build slowly into incredible pieces for a one man bedroom project. For fans of largely orchestral pop with occasional electronic influences.

Myspace.

Sample.

Freelance Whales – Weathervanes (2009)

If I were quickly scanning a post about a band I had not heard of and making the decision whether or not to check it out I know that several of the following would help to sway me: Arcade Fire, Ravens & Chimes, sweeping orchestral pop, Boy/Girl vocals and a bedroom production vibe that adds to the whole deal.

Myspace.

Sample.

Washed Out – Life of Leisure (2009)

It’s going to more than a little difficult to beat the brevity and overall excellence of the official description so I may just leave it at that. “Washed Out is Ernest Greene, a young guy from Georgia (via South Carolina) who makes bedroom synthpop that sounds blurred and woozily evocative, like someone smeared Vaseline all over an early OMD demo tape, then stayed up all night trying to recreate what they heard.”

There’s also definite nods to Moon Safari present as well.

Sample.

Myspace.

Ramona Falls – Intuit (2009)

Ramona Falls is a bedroom pop project by Brent Knopf of Menomena. Having said that it doesn’t sound all that much like a Menomena record. The songs are consistently well constructed and reveal many intricacies on repeated listens.  My only real criticism of the record is it seems to fall away a little towards the end. Recommended for fans of Oh No! Oh My! and Say Hi.

Myspace.

Sample.

The Drums – EP (?) (2009)

We’re actually not quite sure what this is: all traces of it/this band have been erased from private torrent sites and  this release is a bit different to anything that is being promoted by the band or their label. But you don’t really need to know that. What you need to know is if The Smiths accidentally played surf rock in an alternate dimension, we have reason to believe it would sound like this.

Download here

Cold Cave – Love Comes Close (2009)

Noise pop that never ceases to be interesting. Often dark, tracks that exist uniquely but also combine seamlessly to form a wonderfully consistent album. The record is being re-released by Matador at the end of the year. Also features Xiu Xiu‘s Caralee McElroy. Do listen.

Sample.

Myspace.

Jordaan Mason – Mantra Songs (2007)

As an addendum to a previous post here is Jordaan Mason’s solo record, ‘Mantra Songs’ from 2007. A must for fans of his work with the Horse Museum and brilliantly thought-out music in general. Several of the songs hint at the excellent heights that the Divorce Lawyers records would later reach. Less talk, more listening.

Sample.

Myspace.

The Mayfair Set – Young One (2009)

The Mayfair Set is a collaborative project between Blank Dogs and Dum Dum Girls. Somehow it manages to sound better than both of those groups. A very promising EP, definitely recommended listening.

Myspace

Sample

Suckers – Suckers (2009)

One of the more unfortunate band names currently going around. Brooklyn based and produced by one of the manly men from Yeasayer. Track four in particular is the one to watch out for, with its somewhat deft combination of Spencer Krug-esque vocals, horns and whistling it should tickle the fancy of awesome people everywhere. Currently touring with Rock Plaza Central, +1 for hype.

Rating: 7.5/10

Sounds Like: Sunset Rubdown if Spencer had signed with Asthmatic Kitty.

Click here to sample.

Click here for the band’s page.