JVM’s melodically wonderful “Cavalier” was one of our favorite tracks of last year. Here L.A. duo MOORS fashion “Cavalier” around a great eased-back R&B beat that makes the song brand new (and great) all over again. James Vincent McMorrow’s Post Tropical is out now on Vagrant.
James Vincent McMorrow 
(Official) (Facebook) (iTunes)
Rating 9.0
Suno Deko, the project of Atlanta musician David Courtright, creates a tuneful wistful swirl of lo-fi indie pop on “Bluets”. “Bluets” is contained on the upcoming “Thrown Color” EP due out on July 22nd on Stratosfear.
Suno Deko 
(Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4938
“Say Yes To Ewans” is excerpted here from Bristol UK artist Oliver Wilde’s upcoming Red Tide Opal LP. An able blend of romantic shoegaze-y themes and space-zone guitar textures that sound freshly wrested from the 24th Century, “Say Yes To Ewans” is equally and expertly rhythmic and tuneful and unlike anything out right now. We absolutely love “Say Yes To Ewans”. Howling Owl Records is the label to know for the July 28th release of Red Tide Opal.
Oliver Wilde 
(Official)
Rating 8.2
“Hunger of the Pine” is the return single from Alt-J, one of 2012 indie music’s biggest breakouts (winning the Mercury Prize, etc). The new track is of a similar plodding and obtuse ilk as much of debut LP An Awesome Wave but also like that record is buoyed by Alt-J’s penchant for tunefulness and strong writing. This Is All Yours Alt-J’s sophomore release for Canvasback Records is slated for a September 22nd release.
Alt-J (Official)
Rating: 8.8
“Sweat”, the new one from Aussie in L.A., RY X is an unmixed acoustic demo that is contains one of our favorite sets of melodies this year. The stunning tune seemingly pours out from RY X in a plainly beautiful sweep of soft guitar strums and cinematic themes.
RY X 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.4
“The Big Unknown” is the second track from hotly tipped rhythm pop act Elder Island upcoming self-titled debut EP. Relevant to 2014 in sound while still maintaining a mainly singular style, “The Big Unknown” is a nicely executed combination of genres within the context of an A+ tune. July 28 is the date to know for the Elder Island EP on Four Thieves Records.
Elder Island 
: (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.5
The exceptional “Pandora’s Box” highlights the self-titled debut LP from French band Isaac Delusion. Sounding a bit of a Francophone more direct Kings of Convenience, Isaac Delusion mix layered, straight to the gut/feet rhythms and pop-sensible tunefulness in a manner that is instantly magnetic. Isaac Delusion is available for purchase now on Cracki Records. (HD)
Isaac Delusion 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.6
Amber Run’s Spark EP is a delicate discourse on thisNottingham bands’ aching pop and rock sensibilities. Having seemed to learned a few tricks from bands like Arcade Fire, Amber Run also manage to pull in a few edgy lyrics from the relevancy popular culture. The band tread ‘familiar’ sonic territory on lead track “Sparks”, while still managing an uplifting piece of emotive currency. The following track “Heaven” rides a more diversified groove with a heavy hand on the hi-hat. The mid-section “Chamber” is a lovely tune that rises above a dusty guitar arpeggio into a cacophony of synths.
Things seem to mellow out as the epic closer “Hide & Seek” takes hold for almost five minutes. It’s here that Amber Run seem to find a striking and authentic stride, particularly it’s the airy auto-tuned vocals that bloom as the instrumentation drops in and out. If their dream was to achieve a radio ready single, the boys are golden with “Sparks”, but it’s the artistic possibilities that bubble up later in the EP which are particularly noteworthy. There is something here… hinting that this five piece could become much more than another Britpop powerhouse singing falsetto “ooohs” over massive drums.
Spark was released on the 20th of April on RCA. Purchase here: smarturl.it/AR_Spark_iTunes Reviewed by Mike Olinger
Amber Run (Facebook)
Rating: 8.4
Fresh off the debut of his iTunes UK Top 5 EP “Ghosts” earlier this week, Nottinghamshire indie mega-tracks merchant Saint Raymond announces new remix with Prince Jet Jam Star Slinger for single “Everything She Wants”. After touring Europe with heavyweights HAIM and releasing his also excellent “Young Blood” EP in the last run of months, the 19-year old songwriter’s arrow continues to point clearly up. Star Slinger’s outta space refix combines many of the trop-house elements and breezy but juiced up breaks that have seeped into Slinger’s latter days modern sound.
Saint Raymond (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.2
Aussie songwriter/indie pop impresario PJ Wolf a/k/a Thief, who’s playful (and a little bit of an anthem) “Closer” was one of our favorite tunes of last fall, turns in an inventive rhythmically re-rinsed cover of a more than likely musical kindred spirit Justin Timberlake and one of the greatest songs of the 00’s (and probably of all time) “Cry Me a River”. Turn up the B3 Premiere of Thief’s take on “Cry Me a River” below.
Thief 
(Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
London-based Laura Groves’ demo for “Friday” is highlighted by a spectacularly emotive and expert series of melodic lines. The piano-driven track’s cohesive turns of tune of mood are particularly special. Do not miss.
Laura Groves (Soundcloud)
Rating 8.3
Jeremih, the velvet-voiced robo-tune dude with all the hooks, links up with Chicago rapper Tink for “Don’t Tell Anybody” a/k/a a track that should light up hip hop/r&b radio playlists all summer.
Tink 
(Twitter)
Rating 8.1
