Porteau: Water's Gate

Vancouver duo Porteau have released their debut album Water's Gate. The ten tracks have the enviable qualities of being both highly original, yet familiar sounding. This is an album that delivers highly stylish and smartly arranged compositions, with Victoria Williams' vocals transcending all to become a musical focal point so compelling as to draw one into the rocks like mythical Sirens.  Rarely does a debut album come along with such maturity of chops and accomplishment on display. Flawless production and stylistic taste are displayed throughout an album that is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Water's Gate at the link below.

Kate Schell: Past Present Future

Chicago artist Kate Schell has released her debut album Past Present Future. The ten tracks are very stylish indie pop, with elements of Bjork and Lana Del Rey, melded to an original synthpop vibe. Schells voice is alluring and the arrangements give it an intimate edginess that is compelling and engaging. This is an album that starts good and then delivers all the way through. The more one gets into it, the more it impresses. An absolute must have. Stream and buy Past Present Future at the link below.

Hush Pup: Panacea

Toronto's Hush Pup have released their new album Panacea. The eleven tracks are reverb drenched dream pop that manages not to sound like the multitudes of bands that have gone before them. The vocals are spritely and atmospheric, while the crisp clean guitar keeps things moving along coupled with minimalist bass and a nice set of beats. The album is equal parts Beach House, Mazzy Star and Lush. For us there's not quite enough stylistic diversity as the songs tend to run together with a bit of an unwelcome sameness. A good enjoyable album, that would have benefited from more outside producer input and a bit of stylistic adventurousness. Watch the video for album track Oasis, then stream and buy Panacea at the link below.

  

Jasmine Minks: Step By Step b/w/ Gravity

Seminal Scottish band Jasmine Minks are back with a new single Step By Step b/w Gravity. The two tracks recall the early 80's comeback of The Searchers, but also bands from a wide range of the 80s new wave seen. The two songs are retro gems that have that Rickenbacker guitar sound down perfectly with wonderful melodic lines and low fuzz. For those that look at this period as some of the best music to come out of the UK, these two songs will stand as testaments and will stay on repeat until our new fangled listening devices have long since been replaced by the next  new medium. This is a definite must have. Watch the video for lead track Step By Step, then stream and buy the single at the link below.

Dragon Welding: Dragon Welding

Dragon Welding is the S/T album and moniker of UK based Andrew Golding, multi-instrumentalist for Wolfhounds. The eleven tracks are an original take on the aural space occupied at the fusion of post-punk and progressive folk. The songs are darkish and compelling, with a sound that instantly engages and pulls the listener deep into the mist. This is an album that entices with simple complexity, original sounds and accomplished musicianship. No shortcuts here, the songs challenge and engulf ones senses in an aural orgasm of sonic goodness. This is a great record and an absolute must have. Watch the video for album track The Builders, then stream and buy Dragon Welding at the link below.

Academie: Monochrome

Monochrome is the new single from Johannesburg based husband and wife duo Academie. The tracks is stylistically varied, recalling much of indie music, but yet exuding its own unique identity. Vocals summon aural images of Bjork and Polica, while synths and guitars play out a counterpoint of melodic passages that transport and transcend, with the whole track instantly engaging the listener. It's all propelled forward by a minimalist beat which leads one through a track destined to stay on repeat for a long time. This is a definite must have. Stream and buy Monochrome at the link below.

Beverly Kills: Revellers

Gothenburg based band Beverly Kills have released their latest single track Revellers. The song is a jangly uptempo piece that shares the sonic space with artists like Vivian Girls, The Raveonettes and Best Coast. Lite, fun and fast, with plenty of reverb, the song will easily find its way onto repeat. At the same time though, it's a bit more of the same without any distinguishing characteristics to set it apart from the pack. Stream and buy Revellers at the link below.

The Man From Managra: King Time

King Time is the third album from Athens (Greece not Georgia) artist The Man From Managra. The ten tracks have an instant familiarity, but yet are totally original and unique. This is singer/songwriter music that touches the soul with style, depth and a bit of swagger. The arrangements are instantly engaging and allow the songs to transcend genre. While firmly adult contemporary in sonic vibe, there is a stylistic drama that will draw the listener in depp and keep the album on repeat for a long time. Stream and buy King Time at the link below.

Rob Snarski: Sparrow & Swan

Sparrow & Swan is the new album from Melbourne based singer/songwriter Rob Snarski. The nine tracks redefine adult contemporary music, with a stylish blend of Americana styles that recall the best eras of folk, lounge and smooth jazz. This is an album that defies both categorization and expectations as one gets farther into it and finds a totally compelling aural experience that refuses to let them go. Everything about the music seems to creep into your very being, holding you like a lost love rediscovered anew. This is an absolute must have. Stream and buy Sparrow & Swan at the link below.

She Made Me Do It: Drenched

Drenched is the new EP from London duo She Made Me Do It. The four tracks are a cross between the old of bands like X and the new on the order of Sleighbells, but not as punk as the former or as metal as the latter. As you might expect, you'll get pop female vocals paired heavy guitars, a smattering of synths and a solid drum track. This EP seems to have found the perfect in between ground and comes across as a thoroughly engaging romp through rock theatrics. A definite must have. Stream and buy Drenched at the link below.