Claps - Wreck

 I found something really special tonight. This is Claps's debut LP. Wreck gives you dreamy yet dark minimal synth. It remains ethereal while keeping you entertained with it's vocals that keep you level headed with it's popish vocals. Not every song drones on without any sort of energy though the poppier and more upbeat songs still maintain some sort of dark undertones that define the underlining sound of this album. I highly recommend this album.

Charles Bradley - No Time for Dreaming

Fairly new to the soul scene I'm pretty in the dark when it comes to the genre. But with No Time for Dreaming you're presented with emotional and classic sounding soul music that sounds fresh in this modern age of music. Charles Bradley released his debut album in 2011 and he's gained moderate popularity among the "indie" scene. He played last year at Bumbershoot and I had the pleasure of seeing him. He was a great and passionate performer. I look forward to seeing him at Sasquatch this may.

Videobend - Summer 1974 EP

I came about Videobend in a mumuplayer session. We had been uploading our own material and critiquing each others work. Videobend's sound could be described as instrumental hiphop with a sort of  80s vibe to it. You could compare it to Com Truise without the heavy synths. His work is available on bandcamp now. It's name your own price so you could potentially put in zero and come away with a free ep. If you're so inclined feel free to donate a dollar or two.

http://videobend.bandcamp.com/album/summer-1974-ep

The only sample I could find isn't from this ep

Sare Havlicek - Toscana Nights

When you first hear about nu-disco you're ought to image a very straight disco sound full of funky riffs and danceable beats. Although what you get more often than not is electronic music that has a very synthpoppy feel with disco elements thrown in. Don't get me wrong; I love that sort of sound. I really do. But sometimes I wish nu-disco had more of a classic disco/funk sound. Toscana Nights gives you the electronic sound of modern music while staying close to classic disco. You get a true blending of the two. You might want to call this record a straight disco album but you can hear enough modern elements and modern ideas that coincide with the nu-disco of today. On "White Russian" you're greeted with a harsh buzzing synth. It quickly shifts to the familiar wah sound that you get out of some of the funk or disco of the 70s. I'd definitely love more of this sound on nu-disco records. 

Beat Connection - Surf Noir EP

Beat Connection is a local band for me at least. Hailing from the wet and rainy reaches of Seattle, Beat Connection churns out wonderfully accessible pop music. Warm, wet, and mellow can easily describe the sound of Beat Connection. Songs on this EP will leave you with an image of a closeup of a leaky faucet. The sounds of the ocean are all over this EP. Seagulls take control of the intro of  "In the Water". They help set up the mellow and oceanic feel you get throughout the rest of the track. I foresee great things from Beat Connection, and I for one am getting more and more excited to see them at Sasquatch in May.

Some By Sea - Get Off the Ground if You're Scared

Although Some by Sea's run only lasted a few years they've managed to create two albums that I would consider to be near perfect; Get off the Ground if You're Scared, and On fire! Igloo. With their use of soft piano a mix of string instruments and a soft yet brilliant voice Some by Sea gives you a listening experience you won't soon forget. Whenever someone asks for a winter album this is the first one I recommend. Tracks like "There's a line in the sand. Are you afraid to cross it" and "Walk a straight line, Keep a straight face." make you want snuggle up and watch the snowfall until you fall soundly asleep. Without a doubt in my mind, anyone who likes sweeping gentle indie folk/indie pop will fall in love with this record immediately.

French Films - Imaginary Future

If you'd consider yourself a fan of The Drums or even Beach Fossils this is an album you need to check out as soon as you possibly can. Truly the only bad thing I could say  about this album is that it ends. French Films takes the superb quick surf pop of The Drums and throws a heavy dose of new wave that gives the album that little bit of extra oomph that makes it stand out amongst the other readily available surf pop. I can't give this album enough praise. It does it's genre justice so well you'd swear they're from the warm shores of California instead of the frigid lands of Finland. Definitely check this out, I don't see how anyone could find this album anything other than stellar.

The Almighty Defenders - S/t

Here's an album I've found myself listening to non stop for a few weeks. Now it's a few years old but I'd say it's definitely worth sharing. The Almighty Defenders is a super group with members from The Black Lips and King Khan & BBQ Show. So you should know what to expect. Great mellow indie rock that gives you a strong retro vibe. You get a 60s almost psychedelic feeling off of the tracks. Some tracks chug along and leave you smiling like in  "Bow Down and Die". Others drag on in sort of a weird manner and sort of feel like an impromptu jam. Making use of tambourine and simple hand claps they really drive home the "feel good" vibe throughout the album.

Ed Masuga - Lonely Dog

The first Ed Masuga album I downloaded was fantastic and up until recently I hadn't taken the initiative to download any of his releases. I sure am glad that I did. With Ed Masuga you know what you're getting, feel good folk and alternative country at it's best. Lonely Dog makes use of quick skillful guitar work, classic lap steel country sounds, honky tonk  piano, and of course harmonica. You'll be left with a yearning to pack it all up and move to a simpler place.

Small Black - Moon Killer mixtape

After a hiatus from the spotlight Small Black has released a new mixtape. It plays like any album seeing as it's as long as any full length album. Their sound primarily stays the same although they seem to have taken some of the chillwave out of their sound. Their new sound is more of a blend between chillwave and just mellow synthpop. Heems from Das Racist is featured on two of the tracks; one in the beginning, and one smack dab in the middle. Though not a fan of his addition to the mixtape I understand that it could bring them potential listeners seeing as Das Racist had gotten quite popular. It's nice to see Small Black back on their feet and making great music.