[Electro - Funk] Breakbot - Why (ft. Ruckazoid)

Breakbot is one of the most undervalued artists in the music industry today. Not many artists can do what Breakbot does and if anyone were to try, well the bar has been set very high by the frenchman. The French DJ/producer has this uncanny ability to consistently create this unique blend of electro and funk elements. In anticipation of his upcoming album 'By Your Side' here's a sneak peak of 'Why' which features the MJ-esque vocals of Ruckazoid.

Breakbot - Why (ft. Ruckazoid)

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[Folk - Rock] The Trouble With Templeton - Six Months In a Cast

The Trouble With Templeton started out as the solo project of Brisbane singer - songwriter Thomas Calder but has somehow evolved into a duo, then a trio and now a five piece. So after settling down they've released the brand new track 'Six Months In a Cast', a frantic, acoustic guitar driven track similar to something we would see from Fleet Foxes. The galloping percussion and the echoing piano really makes the song something special.

The Trouble With Templeton - Six Months In a Cast

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[Synth - Pop] City Riots - Wait For You (Luke Million Remix)

Having listened to the original 'Wait For You' and being disappointed I was delighted to hear this remix by Luke Million (Luke Godson from The Swiss). This tasty remix takes the vocals of the original and sits it on a bed of heavenly synths which complement the vocals perfectly. It's definitely a simple concept but Luke Million's execution cannot be faulted and has delivered a wonderful take on the original.

City Riots - Wait For You (Luke Million Remix)

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[Hip - Hop] G-Eazy - Lady Killers ft. Hoodie Allen

Even though Hoodie only features in this song it's still worth an honorable mention. Not that I've heard much of G-Eazy but I did notice that like Hoodie, he is white and a decent rapper (not quite as good as hoodie), they are also tour buddies having know each other for awhile. 'Lady Killers' does have all the right 'Hoodie' elements though; catchy hooks, crisp and flowing verses, infinite amounts of swag and that always chilled and playful beat.

G-Eazy - Lady Killers ft. Hoodie Allen

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[Indie - Pop] The Good China - We Knew That We Had To Leave

The Good China are an 8 piece band from Melbourne who simply make music together. Well I can safely say that they do much more than that, they make some pretty handy indie - pop. 'We Knew We Had To Leave' is a combination of racing guitars, petite drums and multiple vocalists creating a fresh and positive sound. There are some quality lyrics in this song, none better than 'I'm so fucking indie, I don't even listen to music', those damn hipsters.

The Good China - We Knew That We Had To Leave

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[Electro - Pop] Imagine Dragons - It's Time (Passion Pit Remix)

Time for some feel - good electro pop and who better to deliver it then the kings of the genre Passion Pit. They take the already upbeat anthem 'It's Time' and literally transform it into a beam of shimmering light with their usual amazing synth work, sparkling chords and do I detect a hint of mandolin in here? It all comes together to create a lovely piece of empowered pop that would be suitable for any dance floor.

Imagine Dragons - It's Time (Passion Pit Remix)

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[Dance] Feed Me & Crystal Fighters - Love Is All I Got

Not two groups that you would expect a collaborative effort from right? Well expect the unexpected as it's actually a match made in heaven. I wouldn't blame you if you got the impression that 'Love Is All I Got' would be an absolute banger but what we come to expect from Feed Me is diversity. The vocals from Crystal Castles perfectly complements the signature uplifting wobbles from Feed Me resulting in a great blend of groove and song.

Feed Me & Crystal Fighters - Love Is All I Got

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[Cover] GRMLN - Stand By Me (Ben E. King Cover)

Here's a cover worth a mention for a song that is undisputedly one of the greatest ballads of all time. GRMLN or Yoodoo park from California steps up to the plate here with this wonderful arrangement which maintains that wonderfully familiar bass and crisp guitar tones which make this track glisten through the speakers. It's nothing groundbreaking but rather serves as a reminder to a young generation of the warmth a song can bring.

GRMLN - Stand By Me (Ben E. King Cover)

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[Indie - Rock] Casablanca - Yes

Casablanca are a young five piece band from London, so young that they haven't even played a gig yet. However for a debut single 'Yes' is a rather mature and promising track from these young guns (all of them are 18). I'm quite impressed with the crisp and clean production of the song and the apparent groove that they manage to pull off in this number. Fact - the drummer is the brother of Jamie MacColl from Bombay Bicycle Club, well how about that?

Casablanca - Yes

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[Indie - Rock] New Gods - On Your Side

For those saddened by the break up of Little Red fear not as the band's spirit lives on in New Gods. The band features Dominic Byrne on lead vocals and Adrian Beltrame on guitar both former members of Little Red. 'On Your Side' is New Gods' first single off their upcoming EP and for a newly formed band it has a surprisingly accomplished sound; rolling drum beats, classic harmonies and anthemic, slow-building orchestration.

New Gods - On Your Side

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[Indie - Pop] Between Borders - Decorate

I present to you Between Borders, a band consisting of an interesting mix of one Australian and three Germans. Funnily enough their music follows suit with a nice blend between pop and electronic music elements. 'Decorate' is fun, slick and full of hooks and I'm glad upcoming bands like this aren't afraid to create some real honest fun pop music like these guys have. I believe they are planning an album release next year but in the meantime check out one of their EPs.

Between Borders - Decorate

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[Indie - Pop] For The Foxes - Moonlight Ride

Who needs a pick-me-up for tonight? For the Foxes have got just what you need. 'Moonlight Ride' incorporates a variety of musical styles: soaring choruses, carefree harmonies and an infectious guitar riff to top it off. I can just as easily picture this song being performed on a remote beach as I can see it at a dimly lit club. Throw in a few 'woah-oh's' and plenty of 'yeah-yeahs' and you have delightful piece of gentle pop from the New Jersey boys.  

For The Foxes - Moonlight Ride

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[Indie - Rock] Charlie Straight - Coco

You might not have noticed while listening but Charlie Straight is actually a band from the Czech Republic. For a Czech band singing in English boy did they impress me, they effortlessly make the kind of joyful, harmony - driven britpop that the Brits so desire. 'Coco' is one of the more somber tracks on their album but it demonstrates a great understanding of the high and low dynamics of a song. Fun fact they represented the Czechs in the EuroVision Dream contest.

Charlie Straight - Coco

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[Alternative] Imagine Dragons - Working Man

So by now I would think a lot of you would have had a listen to Imagine Dragon's first full length album 'Night Visions'.  Let me turn your attention to one of the bonus tracks 'Working Man' which in my opinion is one of the highlights on the album. I like to describe these guys as an older version of the band Fun; huge anthemic choruses with ridiculously catchy hooks and just a general feeling of fun to their songs.

Imagine Dragons - Working Man

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[Indie - Rock] Bloc Party - V.A.L.I.S

So I've finally had a chance to listen to Bloc Party's new album 'Four' and in all honesty I have mixed feelings towards it. 'VALIS' is the stand out track for me because its reminiscent of tracks like 'Two More Years' from their album 'Silent Alarm' - great melodies, great hooks and great climax. For all those saying that they've 'changed', what does that even mean, bands always change but in my opinion they never forget and in Bloc Party's case they definitely haven't forgot how to do it.

Bloc Party - V.A.L.I.S

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[Dream - Pop] Trails and Ways - Sure Thing (Miguel Cover)

I'm sure we've all heard of Trails and Ways by now and their brazilian shoegaze and dream pop style. You may be thinking 'a dream pop band covering Miguel?' to your surprise it's an absolute match made in heaven. They capture all the original elements of 'Sure Thing' and put a dreamy pop spin on it all with their infamous guitar work, fluid vocals and that pulsating beat in the background. Check out their 3 track cover EP covering Miike Snow and M83!

Trails and Ways - Sure Thing (Miguel Cover)

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[Indie - Pop] Midi Matilda - Love & The Movies

The boys from San Francisco Midi Matilda are back with this one off release. 'Love & The Movies' packs a lot of lyrical heartbreak but at the same time the band manages to keep the song upbeat by coasting on this incessant drum beat and some real old school synth work. Check out the video clip for this one as well, it sees the band playing on a moving flat bed trailer as shown in the track artwork, that's pretty cool right?

Midi Matilda - Love & The Movies

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