One of the most exciting and enthusiastic bands I’ve ever encountered has been Wild Yaks, fronted, surprisingly, by a balding, 30-something, self-proclaimed “shoe salesman from New Jersey” named Rob. Rob is dedicated to his craft and dedicated to his fans. He sends out semi-regular emails to pretty much everyone he meets (just email him to include yourself: wildyakslake@yahoo.com), either espousing the fanatical nature of this or that, or asking if anyone has a cellphone charger in brooklyn, and sometimes attaching special mp3s.

Their music is passionate. Every member pours his heart out every moment on stage.  Although the five-piece band, including a wild sax player (is that dude still around? i hope so), are all east-coasters, they have a bluegrass-tinged rough and roaring rock sound. They have been getting more and more love in the press as of late, they have a debut album dropping next week, a badass cliff-jumping video, a documentary in the works, and lots of love to give.

Listen to “River May Come” Here

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This week I offer an experimental track from Santogold and Diplo’s “Top Ranking” mixtape. Can’t muster many words besides “haunting” and “beautiful”. This experiment was a success. Diplo has such a good ear I wish more of his output was like this, and less club-a-dub. Anyway, most of the credit here should be given to Arthur Russell. The loop is a sample from his epic “this is how we walk on the moon” and Santogold… she takes Arthur’s original and breathes into it new life.

Listen to “Icarus” Here

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Here’s a dark ‘n’ eerie, simultaneously infectious ‘n’ uplifting, Fleetwood Mac-sampling jam from Denver’s new electro heroes, Pictureplane. The song is “Goth Star,” from the group’s debut album ‘Dark Rift.’ It just goes to show how a few catchy loops and a sprinkling of Stevie Nicks is all you need to make a great song, like how just peanut butter and bacon make a great sammich.

Listen to “Goth Star” Here

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Odd that such a deep song, so full of emotion, could come from such a  young, inexperienced, poorly-named band. But the high-schoolers that make up Manchester’s Egyptian Hip Hop have filled their first release,  “Rad Pitt,” with all you could want in a rock song. It dips between moments of sparse instrumentation and overwhelming crashing chords. The tender guitar melody and un-crisp drums anchor everything. And the singer’s sincerity is undoubtable. The group is unsigned, and you can’t find their music anywhere…yet.  If their talent is as true as hinted at in this song, that won’t be for long.

Listen to “Rad Pitt” Here

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Cant Buy It!

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The couple, also known as The XX’s, in this song, “Islands”, have given up on their endless search for something more, someone better.

I don’t have to leave anymore
What I have is right here
Spend my nights and days before
Searching the world for what’s right here

Underneath and unexplored
Islands and cities I have looked
Here I saw
Something I couldn’t over look

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

There’s a very peaceful, romantic, and reaffirming quality in the notion that you can find happiness in one true love.  I’d like to believe that we can be content and fulfilled, and that it won’t feel like settling, and that our eyes and minds will stop wandering. But isn’t the notion of an endless journey, constant exploration, meeting new people, and gaining new experiences also romantic? This couple burns its bridge to that lifestyle, and barely wants to imagine what it would be like if their island sunk.

See what I’ve done
That bridge is on fire
Going back to where I’ve been
I’m froze by desire
No need to leave

Where would I be
IF this were to go under
It’s a risk I’d take
I’m froze by desire
As if a choice I’d make

I am yours now
So now I don’t ever have to leave
I’ve been found out
So now I’ll never explore

Listen to “Island” Here

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Little Dragon‘s sophomore album, ‘Machine Dreams,’ is the best girly, poppy, pretty, synthy, dreamy, tender, longing, haunting, swirling, moody, boundary-pushing, toe-tapping, infectious, and cool record to come out of Sweden since Lykke Li’s ‘Youth Novels.’

Listen to “Never Never” Here

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Mystery Group‘s memory cassette and weird tapes combine forces to form as one super mystery group - Memory Tapes. Really, they’re all just a one man band, Dayve Hawk, from the south jersey/philly area. The shrouded and confusing identity concept would be tiresome if his output wasn’t so solid. whether by the name MC, WT, or MT, Mr. Hawk has found a successful formula with hazy, synth-heavy instrumentals; lovely laid-back vocals, and excellent remixes of new classics like YYY’s “Heads Will Roll” & PBJ’s “It Don’t Move Me“, amongst others.

Memory Tapes will be releasing his debut album, ‘Seek Magic,’ this week, and the single ‘Bicycle’ is just as strong as anything that has come before it. But I choose to share one of his new remixes, of another indie supergroup, Fools Gold’s “Nadine.”

Listen to ” Nadine” Here

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The blow’s “True Affection” is one of my favorite songs of all time. Its beat is based on D4L’s “laffy taffy.” One of the many reasons for my fondness is, while others were inspired to share degrading acts on youtube, jona bechtolt & mirah, who make up the blow, created an airy, breathtaking pop song. If you (over) intellectualize it, their recording shows you that fans of “snap hop” – if they open up a little bit – may also like “art pop,” and vice versa, and that everything is relative, everything is connected.  Other reasons include Mirah’s childish voice and longing lyrics, the drill sound that comes in at 2:12, and the way the lo-fi production comes together to sound like a masterpiece.

I recently discovered JJ’s “Ecstacy” and realized I may have a soft spot for girly, dreamy pop songs based on cheesy rap.  This one’s fodder is lil’ wayne’s despicable “lollipop.”  there are less liberties taken than “true affection,” even borrowing some lyrics, but the stronger reference adds a touch of humor.  It takes the title’s raver relation and steps it up – no bottles in the club; when JJ’s mysterious singer is partying, she’s on ecstasy. The beat seems like it would be the perfect soundtrack to the drug. It invites indulgence. I love it!

Listen to “Ecstasy” Here

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I’m not normally a fan of big, dramatic synths and wailing British voices with my rock music, but this is something special.  The Big Pink’s single from their debut album has all the ingredients of an anthem: grand, slick production; a catchy chorus; head-bop and sing-along-ability. The bitter, anti-love message is nothing new – “As soon as I love her its been too long, Talks of future with you keeps me ill… these girls fall like dominos” but that’s also what makes it easily relatable.  It’s a shame that the rest of the album isn’t as strong as the single.

Listen to “Dominos” Here

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