PAPA’s “A Good Woman Is Hard to Find” EP was one of our favorite releases from last year. Here, the LA-based act dials up the great writing and feel for melody and rhythm to an even further degree with new track “Put Me to Work”, the first single from the band’s due early 2013 full length debut. 100 % psyched and behind this one.
PAPA – Put Me to WorkPAPA 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.8
This Great Lakes four piece describe themselves as “a dreamy boy band from WI that cries often.” Well, cry a little less boys because your quietly pensive cover of “Electric Feel” is really really good. The MGMT cover is one of ten tracks featured on Haunter’s spinworthy debut LP which you can sample here.
Haunter 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Collaborative supergroup Apparatijk presents Canadian singer songwriter Lowell in her highly anticipated debut mini-album If You Can Solve This Jumble, out on October 29th. “Shake Him Off” is well textured and enthusiastically dark with Lowell’s experimental pots-and-pans percussion (pre-recorded in her Toronto bedroom) and sharp empowering vocal mantra. Also be sure to check out her homemade outsider art video below. By Erin Feathers
APPARATJIK PRESENTS: Lowell – Shake Him OffLowell 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
Manchester based electro producer TCTS recently released his 1997/Like This EP on Bondax’s new label, JustUs. While both tracks are playful and fetching enough to receive BBC radio airplay, the ultra sheik title track “1997” stands out for its synthy disco highlights, funky frolicking baseline, and brightly laced R&B style vocal duet. Give it a listen. By Erin Feathers
TCTS 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Dropping this feel good house/chillwave freebie, Chris Malinchak’s “So Good To Me” is gaining some serious steam in the blogosphere. Rising up the Hype Machine charts, over 17,000 listens and almost 5,000 downloads on Soundcloud, people are starting to latch onto Jersey based Malinchak. Backed by budding indie-dance label French Express, which features the likes of Moon Boots, Issac Tichauer, Perseus, Jonas Rothsman and others. Chris Malinchak will be playing The Central in Santa Monica this Friday (10/26) for free (with RSVP), with openers Calcat, J99, James Del Barco. By Brian Litwin
Chris Malinchak – So Good To MeChris Malinchak 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Tesfaye delivers. Released in that special “Weeknd hour”, the Toronto singer/producer let loose his latest just about 90 minutes or so ago. “Enemy” is pretty by the numbers Weeknd material, languid lugubrious but perhaps a bit more poppy melodically than previous material (We can hear MJ’s “Remember the Time” a little in there.) Be a witness for the XO crew below.
The Weeknd – EnemyThe Weeknd (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
IYES is a fresh project from Brighton-based electro duo, Josh and Melis. We were spinning through their forthcoming EP, when “Lighthouse” hit our ears and we were hooked. With an intro reminiscing in Xx style lullaby the tune launches into a synthy rnb style stomp, drawing you into it’s dynamic and serene world of electro pop. Preview “Lighthouse” from IYES below.
IYES – LighthouseThe Colour Atlas (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.5
Colour The Atlas will be releasing their debut EP in late November. Lately we’ve been immersed in the band’s unique blend of indie pop with tasty synths and grabbing boy-girl vocals. “Snow” leads off the EP offering an anticipatory introduction to a band with a bright future yet to come.
Colour The Atlas – SnowThe Colour Atlas (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
It’s no secret that the first two studio albums from Bat For Lashes, Fur and Gold and Two Suns, enjoyed plenteous universal acclaim. Some critics have seemed a bit disappointed with Bat For Lashes most recent and third album The Haunted Man, yet there are many bright spots on the release. Focusing more pointed attention on her vocals, and backing off beats and bass lines, Natasha Khan gives a beautiful performance, and particularly on the album’s opening track “Lilies”. Natasha’s voice soars over the mystical rhythmic layers and steady drum beats throughout The Hunted Man. Khan has cited the album as being inspired in part by a 1970’s British drama known as “Ryan’s Daughter”, and Bat For Lashes ushers executes on the paralleled and psychologically haunting themes with a trademark elegance. By Brian Litwin
Bat For Lashes (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Di’zain, a new London-based artist reveals this bold debut single “Play The Game” today, administering “Crisp beats and lilting late-night melodies” to a well primed audience. Grab your free download here and without doubt it’ll sound great queued up next to the likes of AlunaGeorge and Charli XCX. By Nathan Hetherington
Di’zain (Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Dance pop gets airborne on “Born To Fly”, the title track previewed here from the forthcoming new EP by sultry NYC dance-floor songstress Beca. The singer’s dreamy vocals layer their intoxicating melody atop a funky jungle groove that lay seductively beneath. Get familiar this new siren on the rise.
Beca – Born To FlyBeca 
(Bandcamp)
Rating 8.18965
The latest heat from the 513 (that’s Cincinnati OH for all you non-Ohioans or non-area code stans out there) to catch up with the b3sci crew. Cinci rapper Lantana’s “All Hustle No Luck” has enough juice to compete with just about anything on hip hop radio right now. Somebody get Diddy on the phone. OATW.
Lantana – All Hustle No LuckLantana 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.3
