Clock Opera’s much anticipated debut LP Ways to Forget is due April 23rd. Just this morning the UK indie pop act released a vid for excellent new single “Man Made” which you can get familiar with below.
Clock Opera 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Clock Opera’s much anticipated debut LP Ways to Forget is due April 23rd. Just this morning the UK indie pop act released a vid for excellent new single “Man Made” which you can get familiar with below.
Clock Opera (Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Active Child turns in this blissed out, dream pop rework of NYC songwriter Hannah Cohen’s track “Crying Game”. AC’s mix selects for twinkling keys and guitars, and a plodding pulse. The way the mix cooks down, it almost sounds countrywestern at times; like some kind of spaced out neo-Patsy Cline. Give this one your attention.
Active Child 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Fresh off UK tour support for Azealia Banks, London-based trio Dems unveil the beautifully textured and subtly soulful “Inner O” as equal part of their new double A-side release. Get up on the track as well the song’s awesome(!) vid below. Dems are definitely a crew for the radar. Check it out!
Dems (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.0
“Spain” is the second tune to surface from Australian export, Jubilants. The Sydney based four-piece offer more of the feel good (but powerful) guitar jangle that we first heard with “Antics” along with A+ hooks that drill straight into the pocket. Dive club dance floors now have yet another something new to celebrate. Preview “Spain” below and grab a download at the group’s Bandcamp site while you can.
Jubilants 
(Bandcamp) (Twitter) (Facebook)
Rating: 8.1
Gossip have just released a beast of a new track from their forthcoming Joyful Noise LP expected later this year in May. “Perfect World” paints a ‘picture perfect’ dance-floor anthem, a sound that we’ve all come to know and love from the Portland-based trio. You can check it out at the band’s official site or give it a preview spin below.
Gossip 
(Official)
Rating 8
By Jon Herriot
Little Chords is a side-project from the mind behind Teen Daze. This has more of an indie pop sound, but still has his characteristic chillwave style. We knew he had an ear for synth and electronica but he can sing too; really talented guy. His Teen Daze debut LP comes out in May.
Little Chords 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Underneath The Balance” on offer here from new Rough Trade band In Golden Tears recalls qualities of many great, young pre-crossover alt-rock bands. This young German band certainly do not shy from the grandiose. Hints of iconic 80’s bands like The Smiths and The Cult are at the fore here. For the radar.
In Golden Tears – Underneath The BalanceIn Golden Tears 
(Facebook) (Pre-order)
Rating 8.1
By Chris Gedos
Whales in Cubicles are that rare new band with unanimously good material across the board. They smash the prerequisites: 1. Songs which grab hold and refuse to let go 2. Running the emotional gamut of pain, humor and sexuality 3. A display of technical consistency and a comprehensive musical language. These Londoners have a North American anthem in “Across America” and an instantly memorable lick in “Nowhere Flag.” It’s interesting how they use nostalgia, looking back to the best of mid-90’s alternative radio with this magical 15 year gap in reference points, similar to singing about the “Summer of ‘69” in the mid-80’s, if you will. Love this band. Make the trip if you live within 200mi (that’s 320km). It’s been a while since I’ve really wanted to sing along to a song, but the half dozen available cuts from Whales in Cubicles keep slaying me over and over again.
Whales in Cubicles (Facebook)
Rating 9.03
By Stephen Dobrinich
I was hooked on ‘If Not For You’ from the outset and this lo-fi version of a great Dylan track definitely delivers. Tashaki Miyaki is an LA based duo which between the echoing vocals and rhythmic guitar brings to mind The Velvet Underground and the likes of other shoegazing noise rock. If you happen to be at SXSW make sure to check them out at Latitude 30 Friday night at 8pm.
Tashaki Miyaki (Facebook)
Rating 8.3
By Stephen Dobrinich
Here’s a nice offering from the psychedelic pop group, Of Montreal. ‘Feminine Effects’ has a chilled out vibe and a great hook that’s got me playing it on repeat. This comes as a part of the group’s contribution to a forthcoming split single with Deerhoof set to be released on Record Store Day. Make sure you check it out.
Of Montreal 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
The mighty Miike took to Annie Mac’s Radio 1 show last night to debut “Bavarian”, the third single from the band’s due March 26 LP Happy to You. One of the band’s more playful whimsical moments, “Bavarian” marches along (the band got the Swedish military drum corps to perform on the track) most of its 4 minutes duration; with punches of electronic pulse distributed throughout the give the song more of a Miike Snow sound. “Bavarian” wins on melody, though, with a particularly sharp chorus hook. Give it a spin below.
Miike Snow 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
By Jon Herriot
This music comes from a solo project called Careful Hands out of Regina, Canada. Pertinent lyrics, smooth vocals, and great harmonica to accompany the guitar. I’ve seen Brennon play in some intimate living room settings, and it is even better. In a year when Bon Iver is getting some overdue recognition, this music has a real place in our hearts and our playlists. Careful Hands’ debut LP Become Another Person is due next month.
Careful Hands (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
