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

Au Revoir Simone - Still Night, Still Light (2009)

Dreampop to the extreme. "Still Night, Still Light" by Au Revoir Simone consists of addicting tunes with dreamy sounds and a female voice that sucks you into an entirely different world, singing well-thought lyrics so you can listen to the album passively or actively and be impressed in both ways. Lots of variation throughout the album but doesn't change its pace in a way that it'll bother you. Relaxing as hell.

Sample: "Another Likely Story"

- 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

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

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

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

Los Campesinos! - Hold on Now, Youngster (2008)

Sharing because I recently got reacquainted with it and, like every time it happens before, I realized it's one of my favorite albums ever. Hyperactively happy on the surface, Hold on Now, Youngster is packed with spastic guitars, twinkling glockenspiels and synths, hand-claps, and violins, all serving as the colorful backdrop to Gareth David's cleverly confessional lyrics dealing with all sorts of heartbreak (be it from a girl, society, or even punk rock). Like a post-breakup diary exploding with confetti, is a manic-depressive affair that invites you to shout-along in catharsis from the very start.

Sample: "Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Breakbeats"

- Jake

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar (2012)

First Aid Kit are two sisters from Sweden. Their new album, "The Lion's Roar",  is a dynamic acoustic album with a harmonic and peaceful atmosphere with the wonderful voices of the girls that blend together insanely well. It has this warming, relaxing feel to it and is very accessible. It's a mixture of more upbeat, energic songs and songs that make you relax, and the mixture is done perfectly without being annoying to the listener. Amazing folk/country/pop album. Give it a listen!

Sample: "Emmylou"

- Alessandro

SoKo - I Thought I Was An Alien (2012)

SoKo, real name Stéphanie Sokolinski, is a French singer with a cute-ass voice. Really catchy, harmonic folksy/popsy guitarriffs with SoKo either singing, or just talking in her adorable voice and French accent about touching stuff. Props to Jake for introducing me to this!

Sample: "First Love Never Die"

- Alessandro

Laura Mura & The Seven Dwarfs - My Bootleg (2012)

I guess I'll be the one doing the first post on this blog, then. Our gay playlist will start off with some relaxing and melodic music from Laura Mura & The Seven Dwarfs from Italy. "My Bootleg" is a big recommendation for the acoustic indie pop fans. Stay gay!

Sample: "I'll Never Trap Your Memory"

 - Alessandro