Lots to dig about Beaty Heart’s latest, “Kanute’s Comin’ Round”. The dark tropical textures of ‘Kanute’ are as inviting as they are full of intrigue and it continues to be exciting to learn of the unsuspecting pop explorations of Beaty Heart. The track is previewed here from the band’s forthcoming Mixed Blessings debut album expected this spring.
Beaty Heart 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
Starting out like a lullaby, and then turning into a slice of dreamy alt-pop heaven, summates LA band Blondfire’s anticipated forthcoming album, Young Heart — due out February 11th. The album is painted throughout with light-hearted guitars and bass lines that any indie pop/rock enthusiast can get lost in. Add body moving rhythms and delectable vocals, and you’ve got your next favorite daydream.
Young Heart has a little something for everyone and is bound to be a summer favorite. The album’s title track kicks-off the album with a gentle, smooth, euphoric tune that can soundtrack even your best day. “Where The Kids Are”, from their 2012 EP release of the same name, is a proven anthem. Other standouts include the incredibly catchy “Walking With The Giants”, which bursts with positivity and is bound to put a smile on your face and some pep in your step. With love songs, tracks for best friends, theme songs for your next crush, and party anthems, Young Heart has the potential to be a standout release in 2014.
At the end of the day, if you like upbeat, positive music that will make you dance, then this album is definitely for you. So go ahead, grab your boom box and chase the Polar Vortex away this winter with the audible a burst of sunshine that is Young Heart.
Young Heart from Blondfire is Available everywhere February 11th.
Reviewed By Cher Dunn
Blondfire 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Bruce Rave recently enjoyed a hang with UK rockers TOY backstage at the famous Echo before their first ever show in Los Angeles. Having been fans of the band since we first saw them live at SXSW 2013, we were stoked to see that TOY’s set at The Echo was an even stronger performance. During Bruce Rave’s interview, the guys talk about how all their live interpretations of songs differ from the album versions, with slower recorded songs being played much faster onstage. They touch on how they love writing and have had a great time hitting major US markets. TOY also spoke about their cool collaboration with Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) for “The Bride” and also Tom’s sister Rose who was in The Pipettes. The band will next tour the UK and Europe, then return to US shores in May for Psych Fest in Austin. Have a listen to their interview with Bruce Rave below.
TOY 
(Official)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
“Letters” is new from soulful indie outfit Wake Owl. Taken from the Vancouver band’s Richard Swift-produced debut The Private World of Paradise LP, single “Letters” does well to focus Wake Owl’s compact, hook-driven, emotive through the sound lens of Swift’s band The Shins (in that the production pulls from a similar palette of wistful tones and lo-fi atmospheres). The Private World of Paradise is out March 4th on Vagrant.
Wake Owl
: (Facebook)
Rating: 8.7
The very consistent Communion Records latest release is “Floating Arks”, new from Kent UK band STORY BOOKS. Previewed from the band’s forthcoming sophomore EP “From Post to Post”, “Floating Arks” is made up of all the component parts of a track that can flat out level Radio 1; including: a great melodic tune, just the right dashes of hope and melancholy, and a pitch perfect piano-tinged instrumental. “From Post to Post” gets a March 17th release on Communion.
Story Books (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
