SEE & HEAR: Boards of Canada - "Reach For the Dead"

With a group like Boards of Canada, atmosphere is everything. The elusive, mysterious Scottish electronic duo of Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin will release their fourth studio album, Tomorrow's Harvest, on June 10th in Europe and June 11th in the U.S. via Warp. It marks the duo's first release of new music in seven years. They just shared a Neil Krug-directed music video for the album's first single "Reach for the Dead," which you can catch below. It's a sweeping journey through valleys, desert, and abandoned structures. Matched with the soothingly eerie soundtrack, it feels rather lively despite each shot capturing rather lonely, forgotten corners of the world.

The sequence that starts around 3:26 is pure magic and visually mesmerizing.

SEE & HEAR: The Belle Game - "Wait Up For You"

A cult. Forbidden love. Torture. Escape. Freedom. "Wait Up For You" is a dark yet triumphant tale of two lovers willing to risk it all to be with one another, free from the constraints of their lives inside a cult. It's set in the changing tides of the 1960s and beautifully captures the saving grace of a shared attraction and purpose. Director Kheaven Lewandowski shot the video using 16mm film, which adds the true look and feel of classic cinema.

See the music video and hear the song below.

SEE & HEAR: Chromatics - "Cherry"

While we were all still trying to recover from the Thanksgiving holiday, Chromatics dropped the video for new single "Cherry." Directed by frequent collaborator Alberto Rossini, the video features the trademark Rossini/Chromatics colorful, hazy film aesthetic, one that centers around the vivid, almost hypnotic pink and blue hues. It conveys an almost surreal setting, skimming the line between fantasy and a dark reality. The song comes from the as-of-yet released After Dark 2 compilation album. See and hear/download "Cherry" below.

SEE & HEAR: Freedom Fry - "Summer In the City"

Freedom Fry - "Summer In the City"


Ah yes, summer. It's supposed to be a period of freedom and endless opportunities to have fun -- that is when you're a kid. When you're an adult, summer seems almost like a shell of its former self: it's uncomfortably hot and you no longer get those three months of zero responsibilities. And so, instead of basking in the summer sun's warm glow, we get all caught up in our own business and the complexities of adult life; instead of enjoying nature's changes, we're all going, going, going with whatever it is that runs our lives.

Enter Paris/Los Angeles duo Freedom Fry and their new single "Summer In the City." It's a charming, pleasant cut of indie pop with a pinch of surf rock fluidity, beckoning us to make our way back to those simply days of our summer youth. It's upbeat but laced with an atmospheric layer of synth that's perfect for sending the listener off to daydream the frantic pace of reality away.

SEE & HEAR: Patrick Watson - "Into Giants"

Montreal singer/songwriter Patrick Watson's new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard, was released today via Domino (Secret City released it in Canada on April 16th), and from the album we have "Into Giants" to share. It's a lovely tune that starts with gentle acoustic guitar and dashes of piano before sprouting into something rather sprawling. It's a song about the infinite possibilities love can provide, capturing both the beauty, depth, and magnitude of love's character. And with the entrance of some triumphant horns in its final chapter, everything sounds all the more wondrous.

SEE & HEAR: Archie Powell & The Exports - "Crazy Pills"

You probably didn't know it, but I bet you've been looking for some good 'ol rock 'n' roll fun with shots of power pop -- lots of shots. Chicago rockers Archie Powell & The Exports are back with their sophomore album, Great Ideas In Action, out May 1st. No, you won't find sophomore slump here at all, because Archie and the boys took it for a night of rock and drinks and it couldn't keep up. If the two tracks released from the album ("Crazy Pills" and "Metronome") are any indication, Great Ideas In Action improves greatly upon its predecessor, which wasn't all that bad in the first place. If you were hoping to catch what a young Elvis Costello and the Attractions might sound like in 2012 at the top of their game, look no further than "Crazy Pills."

SEE & HEAR: Father John Misty - "Hollywood Cemetery Forever Sings"

As you may have already heard, Baltimore native* Josh (or J) Tillman recently left Fleet Foxes. It would appear the move was made to pursue is solo career full-time. Tillman has already released seven full-length albums under his own name and is now gearing up to release his debut LP for Sub Pop as Father John Misty. The album, titled Fear Fun, will be released on May 1st.

SEE & HEAR: Spiritualized - "Hey Jane"

In case you didn't happen to hear the good news, Spiritualized will be releasing a new album April 16th entitled Sweet Heart Sweet Light. No, the image above isn't included for irony or just because it's nice to include a picture with my silly, little write-ups. What you see above is the official cover art for the aforementioned Spiritualized album. Jason Pierce (or J Spaceman, if you prefer) and co. have had this record in the oven for about two years, apparently -- not to mention the other year Pierce spent mixing the album. So, why wait any longer? Hear album track "Hey Jane" below. It's the first release from the new LP, and it's everything you could hope for: an epic, just under nine minute slab of Britpop/neo-psychedelia excellence. I can't say I'm an expert when it comes to Spiritualized, but I feel comfortable enough to say that Jason Pierce knows how to tastefully handle his ambition.

WATCH: Chromatics - "Candy"

In case you missed it, synthpop/Italo Disco outfit Chromatics will be releasing Kill For Love, the highly-anticipated follow-up to their much beloved 2007 LP Night Drive, very soon (the release has been delayed due to some mastering issues). We've already heard the cover of Neil Young's "Into the Black" along with two other album tracks, and now we have another album track to spin entitled "Candy" via a new music video. It's another in a series of videos produced by Italian filmmaker Alberto Rossini. Hear and see the eerie daydream below.

SEE & HEAR: Little Racer - "Split For the Coast" + "The Town"

Little Racer was, like many things, something I missed last year. The Brooklyn trio released a few singles at the tail end of 2011, the most recent being the "Split For the Coast"/"The Town" single. If you're anything like me, you'll be shaking your head for a while after you hear these songs, frustrated that you're just hearing them now in the second month of 2012. While it seems like every band under the sun is sprouting out of Brooklyn, Little Racer, after just a few songs, seem to be onto something worth repeated listens. Mixing the carefree cool and verve of surf rock, the charm of '60s pop, the energetic roll of garage rock, and vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys (if they were more of a garage rock band), their songs are effortlessly infectious while still sounding somewhat adventurous ("The Town" is built around the sound of bossa nova). And while there are plenty of bands working that whole '50s/'60s-style harmonies over sharp garage rock thing, Little Racer are dynamic with their approach, seeming just as interested in melody and harmony as they are with instrumental and stylistic shifts.

SEE & HEAR: Conveyor - "Mukraker" (You Must Watch This Video)

Mixtape alums Conveyor recently released a new single entitled "Mukraker," which, for some odd reason, I hoped had some connection to "Moonraker" (it doesn't). What it is though is a rather spellbinding track that capitalizes on the band's ability to craft gentle yet powerful songs -- songs that, despite their perceived mood, tend to feel like reliable pick-me-ups.

WATCH: Low Roar - "Give Up" // HEAR: Low Roar - "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"

Iceland's Ryan Karazija (ex-Audrye Sessions) performs and records under the name Low Roar, which is a rather fitting name for how his music quietly knocks you off your feet. He recently released his eponymous debut as Low Roar, and, I must admit, after two songs it's slowly becoming one of my favorite releases of 2011. Check out those two tracks below.

SEE & HEAR: Dum Dum Girls - "Bedroom Eyes"

Dum Dum Girls just released their sophomore album yesterday entitled Only In Dreams. Despite 2011 marking only the band's third year of existence, Dee Dee Penny (nee Kristen Gundred) and co. have cultivated both a look and sound all their own. Visually and sonically, the band plays towards the aesthetic of '60s girl groups but wrapped in the black leather of garage rock, surrounded by the haze of shoegaze and psych. With moments of indie pop's infectiousness meeting their mix of '60s pop, garage rock, shoegaze, and psych, it's hard not to be taken by Only In Dreams. It's not surprising the band chose famed songwriter/producer Richard Gottehrer ("I Want Candy," "My Boyfriend's Back") and The Raveonettes' Sune Rose Wagner to produce the new album. Check out the video for album track "Bedroom Eyes" below.

SEE & HEAR: Lana Del Rey - "Video Games"

Sometimes, you click play on something without any preconceived notions of what to expect. Moments later, you're swept up in something you weren't prepared for. The space around you fades away, and all that matter is that moment. Each passing second more important than the last. This past weekend, I came across a song simply titled "Video Games" by a singer named Lana Del Rey. After I hit play, I lost track of time.

SEE & HEAR: The R's - "Mr. Hide"

If you want to thank anyone for bringing Italian psych pop/indie pop band The R's (formerly The Records...thanks, legal issues) to these shores, it's the National Geographic Society. Yes, that National Geographic Society. As it turns out, NG has a record label called Nat Geo Music, focusing on bringing world/international contemporary music to the masses. Sweet.

Below, check out the visual trickery for "Mr. Hide," off The R's latest album De Flora Et Fauna, out August 16th here in the U.S.

SEE & HEAR: Memory Tapes - "Yes I Know"

Memory Tapes (aka New Jersey-based musician Dayve Hawk) is set to release his sophomore album entitled Player Piano on July 4 (Europe via Something In Construction, Australia via Inertia) and July 5 (US via Carpark). Below is a video for album track "Yes I Know," which features some of the most tasteful special effects. Clearly, what's most striking is the visual aspect of the whole thing, but what really makes this memorable is how natural it all appears. It's a great translation of the song's muted, almost faded sound.

SEE & HEAR: We Can't Enjoy Ourselves - "Put Your Blue Dress On" (+ Download New Song!)

It's safe to say that the found footage that was used to craft this music video was not filmed specifically for "Put Your Blue Dress On," but, as you'll see, it matches up quite well. Then again, We Can't Enjoy Ourselves possess a classic edge to their sound that recalls the upbeat swing and sharp cut rock 'n' roll of decades past. So, it only seems fitting that this song and old footage suit one another in just the right ways. The piece was directed and edited by Will McCord.

Download "Put Your Blue Dress On" and a brand new song from We Can't Enjoy Ourselves below.

SEE & HEAR: The Pauses

The Pauses - "Go North"

Click down arrow in player to download

The Pauses - "Hands Up"


Human relationships are endlessly influential, let alone infinitely informative. It can be said that we learn more from human interaction than we do sitting behind a desk, staring forward at a board or screen. We learn best from experience, and what better way to learn about the world than through the people who populate it. It's important to remember, however, that we must pause to reflect on each lesson acquired from these interactions, otherwise it will all be just a faded memory.

SEE & HEAR: Picture Atlantic

Hardcore music is a ground assault, an in-your-face power that hits from below. I'm not from San Jose, but I hear they have a bit of a hardcore scene. Picture Atlantic are from the area, but they're a band with wings that escaped the ground assault and flew their mission high into the sky. Nikolaus Bartunek, Brian Graves, and Ryan Blair make harmonious indie rock that recalls bands like As Tall As Lions, Travis, and Radiohead, with an equal focus on both percussive hooks and soaring melodies. Their most recent release is the When Everything is Numbers EP.

There’s a casual urgency to songs like “With One Clipped Wing” and “What Men Live By” that provides the music with a confident air. It’s something that only intensifies the cavernous, and somewhat eerie, character of songs like “Guerilla” and “Ladder.” Picture Atlantic move their music to new heights with an emphasis on earnest delivery across the board. Frontman Nikolaus Bartunek sings as though he’s envisioning filling the sky with his voice; it’s a whisper in the dark and a shooting star in the twilight. Picture Atlantic aren’t afraid to embrace pop's magnetism, and with their strength in melody, the sound becomes a bit charismatic.

Hear 2 standout tracks from their latest EP, When Everything is Numbers, see an acoustic performance of "Ladder," and check out the humans vs. zombies music video for "Guerilla" all after the hop.

SEE & HEAR: New Fleet Foxes Song "Grown Ocean"

As previously reported, Fleet Foxes will release their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Helplessness Blues, on May 3rd through Sub Pop. We've already heard the title track, and now we have a chance to hear another album track entitled "Grown Ocean" via a music video. The video is a snapshot documentary of the band's journey while making the new album, and it's a pleasing behind-the-scenes look at one of the most timeless and memorable bands of, at the very least, the past 10 years. The song is one of Fleet Foxes' more uptempo numbers, one that's about as spacious and grand as a valley is wide.

A letter about the album from frontman Robin Pecknold and more all after the hop.