Identical Testicle - Galaxy Cross (2012)

"Smoking the best weed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, hasn't slowed down Beno and Rejoicer a bit - they fire up beats by the minute. One would think that making so many beats in such a short period of time results in a monotonous plethora but on the contrary - many different styles, different BPMs, using many tools of trade such as Moog, African and Swiss percussion, guitars and bass guitars, Ableton Live, Harps, all sorts of old and obscure synthesizers - just to name a few!"

- Alessandro

Steel Train - s/t (2010)

Featuring Jack Antonof (otherwise known as 1/3 of indie pop band fun.), Steel Train creates some pretty high energy youthful anthems bursting with both freedom and anxiety, such as "Touch Me Bad," a manic ode to obsessive compulsive disorder. Overall a fantastic addition to any summertime roadtrip playlists of the gayest variety.

Sample: "Bullet"

- Jake

Neutral Bling Hotel - In My G4 Over Da Sea (2012)

Neutral Bling Hotel was an American /mu/core formed in the early 1990's by singer, guitarist, songwriter and notorious gangster Lil' Jeff Swagnum, known by his stage name, Mashed Potato. The band was noted for its experimental sound, obscure lyrics and dope beats.
(Neutral Milk Hotel's ITAOTS/Hip-Hop mashup by Psycosis. EXTREMELY WELL DONE GO GET IT.)

Sample: "Oh Dougie"
Download
Bandcamp

- Alessandro

Magical Mistakes - Special Friends EP (2012)

Magical Mistakes is an American electronic artist residing in Japan. Living in a small village in the mountains somewhere in Japan, he's found inspiration and time to further explore production. "Special Friends EP" is a taste of what he's been working on from that inspiration. It consists of six magical electronic tunes that are really worth checking out. You can download it for free on Magical Mistakes' bandcamp, or you can buy one of the 50 CD-Rs that comes with a box of Japanese chocolates and a 'Thank you!' note for 12 U.S. dollars.

Sample: "Lady Lazarus:Via Elysian Fields (Magical Mistakes remix)"
Download
Bandcamp

- Alessandro

Ackryte - Shades (2012)

"Shades" is a collection of Ackryte's favourite tunes that he's created over the past few years, as well as some new material that hasn't been heard before. The album serves as a lead-up to his debut album that'll be released later this year, a chance for you to become more acquainted with Ackryte's work. Ackryte creates relaxing electronic beats that almost sound like hip-hop instrumentals, with jazz/soul/funk samples. Great stuff to actually listen to as well as to have it sort of in the background. Whether that be for browsing, working or whatever you do in your free time. And it's free!

Sample: "Come Naturally"
Download
Bandcamp


- Alessandro

Hail Mary Mallon - Are You Gonna Eat That? (2011)

Hail Mary Mallon consists of Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz. Aesop and Rob Sonic have a great chemistry going when put together and never have disappointed before this project. When they and DJ Big Wiz got together for their very own project, it wasn't a disappointment either. Amazing lyrics, a lovely combination between Aesop and Rob Sonic's flow and the raw beats that DJ Big Wiz provides the two with, makes for an album that can not be missed in your hip-hop collection!

Sample: "Garfield"

- Alessandro

Reptar - Body Faucet (2012)

Hectic, fun indie pop-rock with some wild synths and a permeating beachy feel to it all. Perfect for the summer! Or even the winter, for you southern hemispherers...

Sample: "Natural Bridges"

- Jake

mewithoutYou - Ten Stories (2012)

Probably my all-time favorite band, mewithoutYou's latest album Ten Stories signifies some interesting changes for the band. Foremost, a step away from their former label Tooth & Nail records and releasing this album independently, as well as another departure in sound. 2009's It's All Crazy! It's All False! It's All A Dream It's Alright may have been a major curveball for fans not expecting the folk-as-fuck direction the band took, but it was definitely a necessary measure: they've returned to the sound they developed through Catch for Us the Foxes and the triumphant Brother, Sister (sorry, A to B fans, if you're looking for the harsh post-hardcore of their debut), but now utilize the lyrical themes and vocal melodies played with on It's All Crazy. Such is demonstrated on opener "February 1878" , while new styles are explored on "Cardiff Giant" which may very well be the happiest song they have ever recorded. Whatever the sound may be, however, Aaron Weiss' songwriting is as strong as ever, telling the story of a trainwreck, releasing circus animals into the wilderness and using these characters as a means of telling introspective parables relating to Weiss' own personal struggles.

The end result is the perfect culmination of how the band has grown for over the past ten years together serving as both a flawless testimony to their music and also the most accessible album they have ever made. Definitely one for newcomers to try out and figure out what parts they liked and where that should take them next in their rich discography. As mentioned before, this is the band's foray into independently releasing music, so I cannot recommend enough that--if you liked the samples or love the band--by all means, support mewithoutYou by purchasing Ten Stories if you can.

Sample: "Fox's Dream of the Log Flume"

- Jake

radex - trip beats (2012)

Radex is a trip-hop/electronic/broken beat producer and "trip beats" is his latest project. The free album consists of exactly what the title implies: trip beats. Boy, these beats are trippy. Sounds like acid-influenced noises with some great sampling and trip-hop/electronic elements to it. With a beat underneath everything to make it catchy despite its weirdness, this album hits like a bomb and makes its stand in the music world, though its voice might not be as loud as it deserves to be. So go get it!

Sample: "trip the beat"

Download

Bandcamp

- Alessandro

The Act of Estimating as Worthless - Amongst These Splintered Minds​/​/​Leaden Thoughts Sing Softly (2012)

I'm not a fan of their bandname or the albumname at all, as I personally find it way too pretentious. And it's not even post-rock! Decided to give it a try anyhow and I did not regret it at all. This album has a folksy, harmonic, relaxed and quiet sound to it with meaningful, heart-breaking lyrics that are sung by two soft voices that blend in with the music just fine. One male vocalist. One female vocalist. Amazing stuff, and free on their bandcamp with an option to donate!

Sample: "Bones"
Download
Bandcamp

- Alessandro

Santigold - Master of My Make-Believe (2012)

Finally! While Santigold's 2008 debut had its fair share of new wave influences, her sophomore effort matures it up a bit, with more meditative beats and lyrics. The contemplative and vulnerable tribal-pop of "The Riot's Gone" is somewhat reminiscent of the styles explored on Lykke Li's Wounded Rhymes, and it's hard not to maintain the M.I.A. comparisons on the brilliant, Baruka Som Sistema-produced "Big Mouth," a song where she isn't hesitant to fire shots are her mainstream-radio contemporaries. And yet, the album is all Santigold. It may not be as readily inviting as Santogold (there aren't any "L.E.S. Artistes" or "Lights Out" tracks here), but it's a total grower and an admirable display of an artist with a vision, Miss Santi White is very well in control of her make-believe and there's no telling of where she's headed next.

Sample: "Disparate Youth"

- Jake

Dinner at the Thompson's - Off the Grid (2010)

A decadent blend of trip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, lounge, and much. Production from Fablive effortlessly keeps this show running, and Lucille Tee's street-smart vocals perform nimbly in this genre-hopping gem. Often overlooked back in 2010, don't pass up the opportunity to give it a chance.

Sample: "Spirulina Queen"

- Jake

St. Vincent - Strange Mercy (2011)

St. Vincent is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her singing varies from being soft and adorable to screams for help. Her songs are melodies that vary from sweet, to bitter, to heavy atmosphere but are all done in a way that only St. Vincent can do it, making love to your ears. Strange Mercy is her third studio album, and is one hell of an album too. With enough attention paid to this album, you'll have a bond with every single track on this album, too. Her best work, in my personal opinion, and probably even album of the year 2011. Go get it!

Sample: "Dilettante"

- Alessandro

Behind Sapphire - Diamonds (2011)

Bursting with talent, energy, and Canadian-ness, Behind Sapphire is a band making waves. The vocals and arrangements are dynamic and multifaceted (the growled scatting of "Coconut Highways" is an absolute pleasure), the lyrics are clever and full of whimsy, and each song on the EP leaves you guessing what's next. It's clear the band has got great promise and unlimited potential for growth and an exploration of their sound. Highly recommended for fans of fun. and Foxy Shazam, they're definitely ones to look out for. Take a trip to their Bandcamp page where the EP is available at "pay what you want."

Sample: "Vancouver, Baby!"

Bandcamp

- Jake

Dinosaur Feathers - Whistle Tips (2012)

Following up their 2010 album Fantasy Memorial, Dinosaur Feathers lean away from the sunny, tropical, drum circle-esque 60s-inspired pop in favor of...sunny, tropical, 60s-inspired pop-rock. Electric guitars take up a larger presence than the debut, but it all fits in naturally with the band's high energy, and the vocals are just as strong as ever, be them in harmony or taking center stage. A rather fine addition to this year.

Sample: "Beatcha"

- Jake

Sea Lions - Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sea Lions But Were Afraid To Ask (2011)

Delightful twee that takes its cues from the movement's early days. Charming, jangly, and forlorn, Sea Lions hit all the right marks on their (rather verbosely-named) LP.

Sample: "A Cloud"

- Jake

Palette Town - Palette Town EP (2011)

Palette Town is an indie rock/pop band from Florida, and this EP is extremely well described by its cover. The songs are dynamic and colorful with both male and female vocals. Fun stuff, really upbeat and sort-of fast-paced music made by friendly people with catchy riffs and an old-school feel to it. And it's free! Palette Town tells us that you can't beat free, and they're right! Check it out.

Sample: "Along The Edge"
Download
Bandcamp

- Alessandro

yuuponn5 - eternal fluid (2012)

Sorry for not updating for a few days now, both Jake and I had some busy days and whatnot. Anyway:
"eternal fluid" is an electronic/DnB EP of about 20 minutes long by Japanese artist yuuponn5, released under netlabel mayoware records. It's a bit basic but has an amazing vibe that will cheer you right up with lots of nostalgic sounds, fluits and other things. Extremely upbeat!

Stream
Download

- Alessandro

Canon Blue - Rumspringa (2011)

Canon Blue is a solo project of singer-songwriter Daniel James, though Canon Blue is not singer-songwriter music at all. "Rumspringa" is a 11-song orchestral pop marvel and was written while Daniel was touring the world with Danish indie rock band Efterklang, and on the Canon Blue website described as "a classical exploration of emotions, with nuanced arrangements of woodwinds, brass and percussion lending a unique tenderness to modern melodies and lyrics." It's good stuff, go check it out.

Sample: "Bows & Arrows (Vegas)"

- Alessandro

Julieta Venegas - Otra Cosa (2010)

On her fifth LP, Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas maintains the steady momentum of quality that has already spanned across several albums, cementing her as one of most consistent Latin pop artists around. So even when she's not breaking new personal ground, Julieta still finds plenty of room for her creativity and talent to thrive. Featuring her trademark accordion and relaxed vocals, Venegas crafts yet another album of her mature--but always whimsical--musings on love.

Sample: "Bien o Mal"

- Jake