Aberdeen four-piece Copy Haho seems to have revitalized a sound I thought was left in the crumb trails of indie essentials years ago. It took me a few listens to to figure out what their recently released self-titled LP reminded me of. (It was Hot Hot Heat.) These lads have churned out a sunny album of optimistic indie-pop jams that just might eek its way onto the essential list itself. Granted, it is nothing break through but it is simple and honest and consistent. Who could ask for more?

Copy Haho on FaceBook | Buy ‘Copy Haho’ on iTunes

1. Factory Floor
2. Earthquake
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/copy%20haho/02%20Earthquake.mp3]
3. Wrong Direction
4. Waiting for Something to Happen
5. A Winter On the Run
6. Demons and Gods
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/copy%20haho/06%20Demons%20and%20Gods.mp3]
7. Dying Breed
8. Pestle and Mortar
9. The Be Good
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/copy%20haho/09%20The%20Be%20Good.mp3]
10. When It Gets Dark
11. Accent Change
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/copy%20haho/11%20Accent%20Changed.mp3]

If you are looking to drown under a wave of indie beach-rock goodness, look no further: DIIV’s recent LP ‘Oshin’ is your answer. It’s the same sort of glimmering daze to get lost in as the likes of Beach Fossils and Real Estate. It is sun-drenched and ethereal as anything of or pertaining to dream pop but it really is instantly addicting. Amongst its tipsy clatter and distilled guitars, it is rooted in something very solid. These Brooklyn-based dudes really have natural talent. Everything comes together to form a glassy album that seamlessly glides from one track to the next; you’re never left to wonder about the musicians themselves–the attention is purely on the music. This is a gloriously restorative album for the brain.

DIIV on FaceBook | Buy ‘Oshin’ on iTunes|DIIV on Twitter

1. (Druun)
2. Past Lives
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/DIIV/02%20Past%20Lives.mp3]
3. Human
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/DIIV/03%20Human.mp3]
4. Air Conditioning
5. How Long Have You Known?
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/DIIV/05%20How%20Long%20Have%20You%20Known.mp3]
6. Wait
7. Earthboy
8. (Druun), Pt. II
9. Follow
10. Sometime
11. Oshin (Subsume)
12. Doused
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/DIIV/12%20Doused.mp3]
13. Home
14. Geist (Bonus Track)
15. Bambi Slaughter (Bonus Track)

12FV

Here’s some more of that music stuff to add to your summer jams playlist. This week’s includes some classics from my iTunes as well as new music from Wildcat! Wildcat!, Purity Ring, The Killers and Twin Shadow, as well as some stuff from some indie scene newbies Mesita, Murals and Essential Machine.

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12FV

The weather’s nice, my schedule’s lax and I’ve got absolutely nothing to complain about so here’s some free choons after the jump if you’re into that. Enjoy yourself.

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Seattle’s Beat Connection is something of a hidden gem on the chill-wave front. In the chill-wave-tidal-wave of our present year they’re doing something right and are sure to quickly float to the top. They have the given elements of their genre nailed–synthy-escapist ambiences floating through tribal clamor, but their debut LP Palace Garden has something else to it that makes it a bit more real. I think it manages to sneak past and beyond all of the other chill-wave bands of the moment. Despite its ethereal appeal, it’s not something you want to listen to face-down in your pillow at night, and you’re not going to be at risk of falling asleep at the wheel if you’re listening to it on the road.

It’s colors are more glaring and its beats more grooving. You’re gonna want to move to this stuff, and honestly it’s hard not to. Try sitting still listening to the title track, for instance. Their music is energetic and swift, so it’s not surprising that I’ve only heard wonderful things about their live performances. If all this isn’t enough to sell you, they’ve been on tour with Starfucker, a C+A+D essential. They’re young and on fire and are only getting better. Snag the album and keep your eyes open for these dudes.

Beat Connection on FaceBook | Buy ‘Palace Garden’ on iTunes

1. New Criteria
2. Palace Garden 4 Am
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/beat%20connection/02%20Palace%20Garden%2c%204%20Am.mp3]
3. Soala
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/beat%20connection/03%20Saola.mp3]
4. Oeuvreboard
5. Invisible Cities
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/beat%20connection/05%20Invisible%20Cities.mp3]
6. Trap House
7. Think Feel (Feat. Chelsey Scheffe)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/beat%20connection/07%20Think%20Feel%20%28feat.%20Chelsey%20Scheffe%29.mp3]
8. Foreign Embassy
9. Further Out
10. Other Side of the Sky
11. Sometimes Wonder
12. En Route

12FV

I bring to you another healthy blend of old choonz and new jamz to be a soundtrack for your summer daze. Check them after the jump!

Enjoy.

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You might have just had to do a double take but that man is not a young Paul McCartney. He is Miles Kane and he is a vision in guyliner. Mr. Kane recently released this EP, following his debut solo album “Colour of the Trap.” He has a very consistent sound, so if you heard his album and liked it, you’ll like this. If he is a new act for you, he has a ’60s rock throwback appeal.

For Fans of: Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Alex Turner

1. First of My Kind
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/01%20First%20Of%20My%20Kind.mp3]
2. Night Runner
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/02%20Night%20Runner.mp3]
3. Looking Out My Window
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/03%20Looking%20Out%20My%20Window.mp3]
4. Colour of the Trap (Acoustic)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/04%20Colour%20Of%20The%20Trap%20%28Acoustic%29.mp3]

Free Candy

The Last Shadowpuppets – In the Heat of the Morning
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/first%20of%20my%20kind/04%20In%20The%20Heat%20Of%20The%20Morning.mp3]