Rockers Sterling Schroeder and The Chosen Ones make jamming work on a pop record. From their new Three Year Weekend EP.
Sterling Schroeder 
(Facebook)
Rating 8
Rockers Sterling Schroeder and The Chosen Ones make jamming work on a pop record. From their new Three Year Weekend EP.
Sterling Schroeder (Facebook)
Rating 8
By Jon Herriot
Urban Cone always hits me with that Indietronica sound that I love. Danceable grooves, catchy indie lyrics, hipstery outfits, what more could an indie music fan ask for? These guys are from Sweden, and they are killing it with every song they put out. If this is the first you have heard of Urban Cone, definitely check out their tracks “Urban Photograph” and “Freak”, they are equally, if not more awesome. More than anything, this track makes me think that we should go to Sweden.
Urban Cone 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Metronomy’s worldbeating tour of nonstop jams rolled through Boston’s Brighton Music Hall on Satuday. Already critical darlings in the UK, The band’s third LP The English Riviera was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize as well as being a Top 10 entry in the year end lists of many major UK music mags (incl. Uncut and NME). On album no. 3 Metronomy made that leap that many great Brit bands make. The band with The English Riviera went from a quirky, niche, cult, etc sort of a band to a standing on the brink of immense success sort of band. So here we are on the brink (at least in the UK). What we saw at BMH on Saturday was a very talented young band with a smallish but fiercely dedicated following that ultimately has a bit more work to do stateside to garner a reciprocal amount of transatlantic admiration.
Brooklyn band and blogville idols Friends opened up the show and we’re OK. The band’s material translated OK live despite what was (in comparison to Metronomy) a relatively sloppy performance.
Metronomy are a tremendous unit. The band themselves are uniformally very sound. There’s a steadiness & consistency of locomotion and performance in the band’s live show that suggests a fantastically united band. Second song “The Bay” was a definite highlight as the grooved out tune’s use of the band’s strong rhythm section (especially bassist Gbenga Adelekan) really set the Hall into motion. Beams and flashes of light streaked and glided from stage to wall, as emanating from each member of the band were synced streams of light that pulsed from a sort of LED badge adorning each performer. James Mount, Metronomy’s frontman and lead songwriter, acquitted himself in performance capably; as well as engaging in the sort of requisite pleasantries with the house. The real exception on stage, though, was Adelekan who’s crisp playing and kinetic presence really cements Metronomy’s quality. The band’s U.S. blog hit, the jittery infinitely catchy “The Look”, followed later in the performance, a certain apex for the assembled reached as waves of be-flanneled limbs swayed, and knit-capped heads bobbed; resulting in a momentary state of awkward frenzy.
Metronomy are a great band. The English Riviera was, too, one of b3sci’s favorite records of last year. The band’s future in the UK seems quite stable but can they make that other leap most great Brit bands do? Can they break into U.S.? (at least the U.S. alternative mainstream). We’ll see y’all on LP 4.
Metronomy 
(Facebook)
L.A. band Magic Wands re-style Madonna’s “Burning Up” (off her s/t debut) a 2012 indie beachside shoulder swayer (you know what we mean), selecting for some sleepy synth atmosphere, a deep-in-the-mix vocal, and a New Order-esque bassline. Hat tip Magic Wands.
Magic Wands 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
UK indie pop act Clock Opera deliver another impressive remix with their latest, a lo-fi synthpop take on Charlotte Gainsbourg’s single “Anna”. It’s all breezy electronics and gentle syncopations from remix start to remix end with Clock Opera proving yet again that, in addition to being a really great songwriters and a really great band, C.O. are top class remixers as well. Expect the A-list official remix projects to continue to pour in for Clock Opera. (DoML)
Clock Opera (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
By Bruce Rave
Have you been wondering whether Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros could follow the huge success of home? Here’s your answer, and it was posted on the band’s tumblr page. “That’s What’s Up” is an upbeat, country-tinged track that will make you feel…right at home. Knowing how Alex Ebert likes to keep things evolving, I bet the full-length will sound different than the last, but this song is cause for optimism.
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (Official)
Check out Bruce’s “Go Deep” show on Fridays 1-3 pm Pacific, 4-6 pm Eastern, 9-11pm GMT. Also listen to past shows at Bruce’s blog and follow Bruce on Twitter.
“All You”, new from L.A.’s, The Cataracts is about to set pop radio on fire. “All You” ticks all the 2012 radio smash boxes and then some (big EDMish chorus, spazed out rapper verse, a cool sample of a recent hit – in this case the also Cataracts-produced “In the Dark” by Dev.) Seriously though, ever thought you’d hear (give Waka a beat, 10 G’s, and a ton of weed and he’ll probably rap over anything) Waka Flocka spit flames on a Kaskade sample? In theory, Waka’s inclusion on a track like this might invite notions of “train wreck” “are you shitting me?” and “ugh” but somehow it totally works! We love it, get with the new jam. (SB)
The Cataracts (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
The Vaccines lads take on R Stevie Moore’s classic “Why Should I Love You” as part of their limited edition Record Store Day split 7″ release on April 21. There will only be 500 copies of this one pressed so it’s probably best to start standing in line at your favorite record store around… now.
The Vaccines 
(Official) (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
Contributed by Chris Gedos
Trails and Ways’ new single, “Tereza”, from their forthcoming Trilingual LP, exhibits a startling diversity to their musicianship. They have multiple members who can deliver captivating vocals which are equally articulate and soulful. Like the previously posted “No Wisdom”, “Tereza” is genre-bending at its finest, probably too intelligent for commercial airplay but recognizable from :01 and gripping throughout. This is the sort of music you’d put on a mix for a significant other in the days before such overt romanticism became hokey and maudlin.
TRAILS AND WAYS (Bandcamp)
Rating 8.1
Nina Nesbitt has just released this self-shot (mostly) and self-directed video for the title track to her forthcoming debut studio EP, The Apple Tree. The 17 year old songstress out of Edinburgh has already performed for stadium sized crowds while on tour with the likes of Example, Ed Sheeran and Passenger (the latter two making cameos in the video), in preparation for the EP’s May 7th release. “The Apple Tree” leans heavily on the type of acoustic pop perfection that first caught the world’s attention on Nesbitt’s Live Take release from late last year. Take a peak at this Brit on the rise and at what’s to come below.
Nina Nesbitt (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Cameron Stenger is a young songwriting talent out of New York who recently cut this video for his delicate “Come Home”. Stenger is one for the radar but don’t just take our word for it, check it out for yourself below.
Cameron Stenger 
(Facebook)
Rating 8
Our girl Lianne takes on Rihanna’s Billboard #1 “Only Girl in the World”. If you know Lianne’s music, you’re probably like whaaaaaa? But don’t let the source material scare you, this cover is 100% LLH style. Lianne takes “OGitW” on to a more jazzy sort of tip, backed up here by a piano-led instrumental. Aside from La Havas’ brilliance here, another key takeaway for us was just the reminder at how phenomenal the melodies on “Only Girl in the World” are and to hear them vocalized like this and in this style is a real pleasure.
Lianne La Havas (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
