[Electro - Pop] Empire Of The Sun - Alive

So yep it's been almost 5 years since we have heard any new material from the Aussie duo, but in 2013 Empire Of The Sun have returned in style with their first single "Alive" taken from the highly anticipated sophomore album Ice On The Dune. 

I'll be honest and say there was a lot of nonsense surrounding the promotion of this newest album, what with movie styled trailers and deciphering hieroglyphics, but hey I guess Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore can do whatever they want with their status.

This latest offering isn't groundbreaking, but it's typical EOTS with their bright shimmering electronics and danceable pop sensibility well in tack. It's definitely going to be pleasing the masses and will build the anticipation for the album release even further.

Ice On The Dune is out in June, but you can start pre-ordering on the 16th of April.

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[Electronic] Little Daylight - Name In Lights

It’s only been two months since the release of “Overdose,” and yet we’re already treated with yet another single from one of this years most exciting prospects, Little Daylight. As far as follow up singles go, “Name In Lights” reaches a level of dreaminess that the first single could never quite find.

It’s a much more downtempo approach from the New York trio, showcasing their delicate fragile vocals over a set of ambient atmospherics. I have a feeling that this single is going to attract the attention of a lot of remixers, what with those sultry female vocals on deck.

Another solid single from the newcomers!

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[Indie - Pop] Antonio Paul - Tra$h Party

It feels like an eternity since Antonio Paul started producing music. “City Dreams” was such an important track in my life and showed me how much of an impact music can have on one’s emotions. The Bunbury boys from Western Australia have always managed to make me smile with their quirky indie rock style, and today was no different.

What I love most about these guys is how overtly Australian they are in their songs. Their newest single, “Tra$h Party,” is testament to this, possessing ample amounts of Aussie hip-hop flair, yet enough precision in their rock deliverance to make this a truly entertaining number. I struggle to understand how these guys aren’t the biggest ticket in WA yet — they are just pure talent.

Hybrid pop like this doesn’t come around that often, so embrace it!

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[Indie Pop] Fairchild - Burning Feet

I’m truly blessed to be living in Australia, what with all the talent that we seem to be churning out across the nation. Fairchild, or Fairchild Republic as they were formally known, are yet another upcoming Aussie indie pop band hailing from the Gold Coast in Queensland.

“Burning Feet” is their very first offering under the new moniker, and it’s good ol’ catchy indie pop with the band’s trademark bouncy guitars and sweet, sweet melodies. With production partner Catherine Marks in the building, it seems like they could be onto something special here (considering she’s helped build the success of some pretty awesome bands like The Killers, Foals and Death Cab For Cutie — they’re doing pretty well these days, right?).

Also, let it be known that Fairchild is no stranger to live performance. They’ve shared the stage with a wide range of Indie Shuffle favorites including Neon Indian, Parachute Youth, Last Dinosaurs and Flume.

“Burning Feet” will feature on their forthcoming self-titled EP, to be released in July.

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[Indie - Pop] RAC - Lovefool (ft. Liz Anjos)

Don't you get excited when you see new material from RAC? I know I do, especially when it's a cover! RAC have just released their cover of the Cardigans 90's hit single "Lovefool" after reaching 30k fans on Facebook. 

What can I say, it's just that wonderful feeling of nostalgia that makes this cover work so well. Teaming up with Liz Anjos (who featured on their Smashing Pumpkins cover) once more the Remix Artists Collective have recreated yet another pop gem. 

Free download, so click the link and enjoy!

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[Indie - Pop] Swim Deep - She Changes The Weather

So, it was getting pretty late here in Perth and I was contempt to just head off to bed after a hard day at work. Just before I could turn off my computer, I was greeted by Swim Deep’s newest single “She Changes The Weather” via a friend’s post on Facebook. Turns out that this is literally the most beautiful song I have heard this year.

We’re no strangers to Swim Deep, but this single is a welcomed change of pace from their usual grungy surf pop/rock. That two-minute intro built on that wondrous reverberating piano really does wonders in capturing your heart and imagination — I think I was almost in tears from pure happiness.

If that wasn’t enough, the lyrics “She makes me feel like I can see for miles/She changes the weather in my bones, seem like it’s never getting cold” are oh-so-warm and heartfelt. The boys from Birmingham have really outdone themselves on this occasion. Every second of this song is filled with pure beauty and adoration.

Taken from their upcoming debut album Where In Heaven Are We, “She Changes The Weather” has got me very excited indeed.

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[Indie - Pop] Noah And The Whale - There Will Come A Time

So let me get something straight, brand new albums from Phoenix, The Strokes, Vampire Weekend, Empire of The Sun, Cold War Kids and now Noah & The Whale in 2013? Seems like it's going to be a fantastic year for music. 

"There Will Come Time" is the lead single from their fourth album Heart of Nowhere and is a rather upbeat approach from the Twickenham quintet. Imagine The National playing upbeat music, this is exactly what they would sound like. 

Heart of Nowhere is scheduled to be released on the 6th of May - mark it in your calendars like the rest of 'em.

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[Electro - Pop] Owl Eyes - Closure

Owl Eyes (aka Brooke Addamo) has had quite the journey from reaching the top 11 in the 2008 Australian Idol to wowing audiences with her cover of Foster the People's hit single "Pumped Up Kicks". It seems not all hope was lost by her elimination in the idol series as she now has a set of 3 EP's under her belt and a debut album on the way titled Nightswim. 

The lead single "Closure" is absolute pop magic. For a young lady of just 22 years of age, she is producing music way beyond her years - a testament to her shear determination and personal growth over the years. Glittering synths and angelic vocals over a deeply layered ethereal backdrop, there isn't anything more you could ask from this single. 

Nightswim is out April 19th so get pre-ordering!

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[Indie - Pop] The Features - This Disorder

The Features fell onto my radar a couple of years ago when they were featured on the Twilight, Breaking Dawn: Part 1 soundtrack. Not that I watched the movie, but the soundtracks of the series actually uncover some pretty decent indie artists.

"This Disorder" is the lead single from their newest self titled album to be released mid May this year. The track only gets dancier as it builds up to a spiky chorus - though it never bursts into full indie-disco mode. The Features' self-titled new album is due May 14, making for their fifth full-length and first since 2011's Wilderness. 

Here's hoping they stay healthy enough for another five.

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[Mashup] Cassius vs Outkast - Feeling For Rosa (Flight Facilities Mashup)

I'm not usually a fan of many mashups, but when Flight Facilities are involved it definitely receives my full attention. Their latest work "Feeling for Rosa" is a mashup between Cassius' "Feeling For You" and Outkast's "Rosa Parks" which was created for their 90's mix.

They weren't actually going to release as a separate download, but due to popular demand they decided to give it out for free. So how's the mashup? Pretty damn funky if you ask me. I had loved both songs back in my day and combining them was absolute genius.

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[Indie - Pop] Vampire Weekend - Step/Diane Young

So the wait is finally over! Today was the day that the world got what they wanted - brand new material from New York's illustrious Vampire Weekend. No more replaying live acoustic sets or live performances at festivals, the studio versions are here.

The strange thing is we received two new tracks, not just one, but hey I'm not complaining! Both of them will appear on the highly anticipated third studio album Modern Vampires of The City. The first track "Step" definitely has a very Contra feel to it, but also takes some elements from earlier tracks "M79" and "Walcott".

"Diane Young" probably needs a bit of time to grow on me I think. It's definitely a different sound and comes off slightly aggressive for my liking. If there's anyone to sway me it's Ezra Koenig for sure.

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[Folk - Pop] Vance Joy - Riptide

It's not everyday that your second single gets roughly 50,000 plays in one week on Soundcloud, but that's exactly what Melbourne's Vance Joy (aka James Keogh) has experienced with his second single "Riptide". Hopefully it's not just James' mum that is pressing that play button on Soundcloud haha.

If you're a fan of the old folk-pop scene then you'll love the sound he's producing at the moment. I know I've spoken about my love for the banjo before, but the ukelele in this particular number lifts this song to new heights. Much like Mumford & Sons have their banjo, Vance Joy has his trusty ukelele.

There isn't actually one boring bit in this song! It's filled with numerous hooks and well-constructed bridges, there's just so much going on in this song, but James' strong vocal performance will have you captivated all the way through.

The single comes from his debut EP God Loves You When You're Dancing  to be released this Friday in Australia. Enjoy!

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[Electro - Pop] Little Boots - Broken Record

Continuing that dark electro pop sound that we witnessed with "Motorway," Little Boots has released the second single from her second studio album Nocturne.

"Broken Record" plays much like a broken record, which by itself is quite amusing, but at the same time it is quite literally a throbbing-disco-candy-stick-hip-thruster of a song with bells on.

Believe me when I say that you will be singing the chorus over and over and over again. 

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[Indie - Pop] Jinja Safari - Plagiarist

Well it was about time that we heard a new single from Jinja Safari! "Plagiarist" is the first single from their self-titled sophomore album to be released on the 17th of May. 

Lots of fun to be had with this single, bringing those fast paced Vampire Weekend like guitar lines and their signature jungle beats. There's something so very infectious about these guys and I can't quite put my finger on it.

Great start to 2013 for the Sydney lads. 

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[Electronic] Goldroom - Sweetness Alive (Wax Nostalgic Remix)

As good as the original was, I always knew in the back of my head that Goldroom's "Sweetness Alive" had great potential to be remixed by someone special. Enter Canada's Wax Nostalgic or David Hayes as he's known to get the job done. 

There's a certain amount of nostalgia associated with his remixes and this one is no different. I didn't think it was possible, but the wonderful vocals performed by Saint Lou Lou shine even more brightly in this stripped down version. You can instantly tell that David was looking to enhance their vocals with his selection of atmospherics.

Certainly less dance-y, but all the more relaxing.

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[Alternative - Rock] Mainland - Wasted

These guys had me fooled, I was convinced that they were English! No, but seriously they sound exactly like a cross between The Kooks and The Strokes. It doesn't matter, they sound awesome!

Mainland are a Brooklyn garage rock quartet and the single "Wasted" comes from their latest 2 track EP released late last year. Like I said before they really have established quite a convincing brit pop sound, they could be a good prospect in the future.

Check out "Stroll", their other single from the EP. It won't disappoint.

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[Indie - Pop] Hunter Hunted - Operating

Remember these guys? Dan Chang and Michael Garner (former members of Lady Danville) of Hunter Hunted are back with their debut self titled EP after the most successful release of "Keep Together" earlier this year.

"Operating" fits nicely within its own niche, combining elements of both pop and rock to transport the listener to a place of euphoria. You will instantly recognize those soaring vocal harmonies over a synthy, blissed out backdrop.

Much love for these guys at the moment. 

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[Chillout] Bon Iver - Flume (Kulkid Remix)

Remixing any Bon Iver song seems like a crime, but Kulkid manages to take "Flume" to another surreal level. The addition of handclaps, a slight shift in the guitar speed and a pulsating beat was all it really needed to become one of those late night chillout tracks. 

I just want to be laying down in a massive field watching the stars as this remix plays in the background, Kulkid has really impressed with his take on this once solemn ballad. 

Click the download button below and it's all yours!

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[Indie - Pop] Generationals - Put A Light On

Truth be told, I didn’t really enjoy the last couple of releases from Generationals, but this latest single, “Put a Light On,” from their new LP Heza rings true with me this time round. The New Orleans duo have taken their time to craft something quite special here; it’s the perfect little pop piece sprinkled with copious amounts of sugar and happiness.

It’s just the sort of song that will instantly make you feel insanely happy with its chiming bells, excessive handclaps and overall poppy charm. Perhaps I’ve rekindled my interest in the LP since hearing “Lucky Numbers,” and I’m hoping for plenty more songs to follow suit, fingers crossed.

Perfect way to start the weekend!

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[Electronic] The Other Tribe - We Should Be Dancing

What should we be doing this weekend? I'd say we should be dancing right? Pretty good advice from Bristol's The Other Tribe who are injecting their raucous energy into the coming weekend. "We Should Be Dancing" is the latest single from the sextet and it feels awfully like it belongs at a tribal dance party.

Much like their fellow countrymen Friendly Fires this group of men have a knack of using their throbbing bass and hypnotic percussion to create a surreal and dangerous atmosphere. At the moment they just seem to be releasing one single after another, but they do have an album in the works which should be released by the end of this year.

Check out their mixtapes or 'Tribecasts" as they are known, excellent party material.

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