It’s difficult to imagine Youth Lagoon’s debut album “The Year of Hibernation” as something recorded in a bedroom. Futuristically epic, it seems to occupy a space beyond the constraints of gravity. What’s more it’s lonely and esoteric, but in a sort of way that you want to find a common ground with it. Youth Lagoon is the creative endeavor of 22-year-old Trevor Powers. His debut is the sort of thing you could write a dissertation on. And honestly it wouldn’t surprise me if people do years down the road. “The Year of Hibernation” is the sort of album that makes a profound mark on all possible levels. Its individualism is initially evident in the steady melodic build-up of each song. Each track is similar in that manner. At first it sounds like something you could drown in, but as it continues it builds strength through drum machines and synth. The vocals have this sunken quality about them, like Powers is speaking through a tin can, giving them a subconscious affect. Perhaps what makes this album so beautiful is how evident it is that he made this album purely for himself. Like he had to let something he’d been holding in for years out; this becomes further evident through the lyrics. It’s clear he’s dealing with a lot. This is one of those rare albums that manages to be both catchy and profound. It may even be ahead of its time.

Tracklist

1. Afternoon
2. Cannons
3. Daydream
4. July
5. Montana
6. Posters
7. Seventeen
8. The Hunt

There’s just something tactfully intimate about London-based duo Peter and Kerry, like they’re sitting at the foot of your bed when you first wake up (but not creepy as that). Their pooled talents are subtly and humbly stunning. Yet it’s catchy enough to make you wonder why Peter Lyon and Kerry Leatham didn’t get together much sooner. The duo released an EP Clothes, Friends, Photos earlier this year and I’m shocked it hasn’t caused more of a blogosphere bustle. It’s a beautiful assortment of sound, perfectly blending acoustic guitars and computer game-esque sonics. The lyrics are typical of that of any break-up band but they’re masterful where they easily could have been cliche. The vocals that deliver them are charged with nostalgia, though it’s almost difficult to pinpoint exactly what they recall. Lyon and Leatham have a tendency to wear their hearts on their sleeves but they have fresh way of doing it. Overall, their sound is pretty familiar and after a few listens I think it’s because it’s largely a melting pot of indie-influence. At times it recalls Brit-pop outfits like Air Traffic while at other times its ghost-like qualities are oddly reminiscent of Bon Iver. But they’ve got a flair of their own that’s really difficult to distain. I dare you to try not to fall in love with them at least a little.

1. Clothes, Friends, Photos
2. Half Empty
3. Oh, No
4. The Shadows
5. Knees
6. Crash and Burn

PC: Philip Mendoza

Seems like electro pop has been in steady flow as of late. Lots of bands are starting to pick up on the indie/electro fusion, which is good news for us. I love this stuff! Very much of a pick-me-up when you need it, and always a helping hand towards the betterment of your day.

First up is the rather fresh sound from Belgian solo artist Expo. Reminiscent of Cut Copy’s In Ghost Colours, but with a voice that suggests of a more seductive Jamie XX. He’s only got two tracks out as of now, “Right Here With Me” and “I Don’t Mind.” Both are really strong tracks, but I prefer the former. “Right Here With Me” yearns for a love out of reach, but stays hopeful. The dreamy synths still manage to stay bouncy, and the piano at the end couldn’t have brought it all together more beautifully. You can’t help but sing with the chorus as it takes you to a better place. The guy’s got an EP set to release at the beginning 2012, and he doesn’t have many Facebook fans yet so help him out and spread the word!

And this may be a bit of a nostalgic treat for most of you. I don’t think I could count the amount of minutes that I put into Transatlanticism in my preteen days. That album will forever reserve a special place in my heart for Death Cab for Cutie. In this remix, C+A+D favorites Cut Copy take the funky jam and throw a tribal spin under that oh so familiar voice of Ben Gibbard. Such a trip to so vividly see a band’s transformation through the times as that of Death Cab’s. They seem to have comfortable nestled their way in to today with a remix EP in our horizon titled Keys and Codes. They’ll supposedly be releasing one song a week until the November 22nd release date. This…..I can deal with. Welcome back into our lives Death Cab!

My favorite whiny white boys Wavves are back with more music and more complaints. The Life Sux–EP is beachy and grungy and Wavves-y as ever. They even paired with Best Coast for jizztastic jam “Nodding Off”. I just feel like with a duo like that, purchase of the EP should come with a free suntan. But that’s just me. The EP is proof that so long as these guys keep messing up/fussing over their mistakes they’ll keep putting out good music. Keep complaining, boys, we love it.

1. Bug
2. I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl
3. Nodding Off (feat. Best Coast)
4. Poor Lenore
5. Destroy (feat. Members of F****d Up)
6. In The Sand (Live) [Bonus Track]

I think Worcester trio Dom is what many indie bands wish they were–cool cause they really don’t give a shit. Their first album–a lo-fi pop concoction–was recorded in bassist Erik’s bedroom and initially released on Craigslist. Their second effort, the Family of Love EP, was recently released and shows real progression from their delinquent-pop debut. It’s much sharper, but still holds onto that fuzzy distortion and synthy goodness. And they’re definitely still not over their punk ways. It’s a real sugar rush; upbeat and fun. The standout track “Damn” is a bit more melancholy, revealing another side of them. It was really tempting to put up the entire EP because as a whole it’s awesome but I’ll refrain. Support the artist, buy the music. It’s worth it.

1. Telephone
2. Family of Love
3. Damn
4. Happy Birthday Party
5. Some Boys (feat. Emma)

While on a search for a downloadable MP3 of the Justice Remix of “The Golden Age” I posted a few days ago, I came out with more than fruitful results. Not only is the Danish duo of Asteroids Galaxy Tour set to release a new album at the end of January, but their first single is out AND they’re playing two shows in Los Angeles in a matter of weeks! More on their shows in a bit. The single “Major” is a sound for sore ears, as they say. The song doesn’t play any games. It instantly captures you with everything that is and will be Asteroids Galaxy Tour. The grooviest of trumpet intros sucks you into an Austin Powers era of shagadelic funk. Next thing you know you’re lost in a sea of all your lustful desires as Mette Lindberg graces the song with her edgy lyrics and oh so sexy, I-don’t-give-a-f*ck vocals. Mark your calendars! Out of Frequency is coming out January 31st! If you want to pick up so more tracks from these guys, make your way over to our previous post.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Major

Oh! I guess you could say my search was succesful, but the mp3 is in low quality format. This will have to do for now.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Golden Age (Justice Remix) (128 kbps)

CULTURE COLLIDE FEST (after the jump) (more…)

There’s something about The Kooks’ latest album Junk of the Heart that, simply put, feels right; its overall composition, the ordering of the songs and the time of year it was released all seem well and intentionally calculated. The Kooks have showed little by way of development since the release of Inside In, Inside Out, and personally I think there’s nothing wrong with that since what they had to begin with was so satisfying. Junk of the Heart is winsome from the opening chords of addictive pop single and title track “Junk of the Heart (Happy)” and ending with cathartic jam “Mr. Nice Guy.” The entire album is as listenable as their first two (which were both pretty damn catchy) and is equally guilty of possessing a tweenage pop appeal. Even with song titles such as “Fuck the World Off” they can’t seem to shake this. Pritchard has a knack for writing blush-inducing lyrics set to 1960’s/1990’s blended melodies. And he’s good at it. This album definitely will be pleasing to previous enthusiasts and ought to do enough to snag them some new fans. There’s not much point in highlighting the album’s strong points because the album as a whole speaks pretty loudly for itself. It’s a people-pleaser. You can download my personal favorites below, though I would highly recommend picking up the album in its entirety.

1. Junk Of The Heart (Happy)
2. How’d You Like That
3. Rosie
4. Taking Pictures Of You
5. F**k The World Off
6. Time Above The Earth
7. Runaway
8. Is It Me
9. Killing Me
10. Petulia
11. Eskimo Kiss
12. Mr. Nice Guy