Indie-pop essentials Generationals recently released a single “Lucky Numbers” to their website. It’s carefree fun, it’s had me jamming all day. Maybe this means they’ve got a new album on the way? I’m getting my hopes up. Enjoy.

Generationals on FaceBook | Generationals on iTunes

Lucky Numbers
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/Lucky%20Numbers.mp3]

Free Candy

These Habits
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/10%20These%20Habits.mp3]
I Promise
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/generationals/02%20I%20Promise.mp3]

Denton, Texas duo The Colurs are near the top of my list of artists to look out for. They’ve released three tracks up for free download on their website. They sport a fresh and sweet indie pop sensibility that is bound to light up the blogosphere is upcoming months. It’s a tad early to determine just what their gig is but it looks promising. They’re on my radar and should be on yours too.

The Colurs on FaceBook | The Colurs on Twitter

Easy To Love
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Easy%20To%20Love.mp3]
Julia
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Julia.mp3]
Washed Away
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/the%20colurs/Washed%20Away.mp3]

New York indie-pop outfit Freelance Whales have come along way from their adorably unconventional 2009 debut. Since then they have amped up their sound in a big way, pumping it full of electronic flourishes. Listening to their recently released single “Spitting Image” from their upcoming album Diluvia, I couldn’t help but thinking their newfound niche sounds like what Arcade Fire would sound like on an alternate robot universe. They’ve more than grown up since Weathervanes. They’ve developed bionic limbs. It’s a good look for them, though.

Spitting Image
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/freelance%20whales/Spitting%20Image.mp3]

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Enzymes
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/freelance%20whales/01%20Enzymes.mp3]
Location
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/album%20reviews/freelance%20whales/03%20Location.mp3]

I told you guys I’d keep an eye out for folk hippie one man show with magical facial hair Esta Vivo. I told you I would.

I’m glad I did, too, cause he’s been slowly but consistently churning out dreamy pop melodies. He recently released a two-track digital album “My Thing//Green Thumb.” In just a few minutes he creates a sleepy yet sophisticated atmosphere worth floating in. Give your ears a rest from all that crap on the radio. Download his stuff.

Like him on Facebook. Follow him on Twitter. Introduce him to your mother.

A little over a year since the release of their debut album, all I can say is I still honestly don’t know what to expect from the Vaccines. Their debut was a glorious tumult of vintage-esque British rock, catapulting them into the libraries of fans of such exalted Brit rock bands as Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian. It was an exhilarating sugar rush of rock and roll and it was over all too fast. Just when we thought we had their sound nailed, however, they released the Please Please Do Not Disturb EP on their website. Four dusty acoustic-picked demos long, it’s the sort of melancholy nostalgia you want to turn on before bedtime. It’s definitely more sedated than what we’re used to from them, which just goes to show their range. It’s consistent with frontman Justin Young’s former solo stuff as Jay Jay Pistolet. It’s definitely worth snagging. Download it here. Fo free.

The West London four-piece are due to release their sophomore album in just a few days. I’ve listened to it through and I can say it’s definitely worth getting excited about, especially if you liked their first album. Stream it at the Guardian.

Track List, Downloads & Free Candy after the jump (more…)

Two years following the release of their boomingly successful debut album Tourist History, Irish trio Two Door Cinema club are set to drop their followup album September 4. Bands of their caliber stereotypically lose their touch with the sophomore album and slump miserably in an effort to live up to their own hype. This doesn’t seem to be the case with TDCC. In fact, Beacon is likely to be an album for the charts–it’s beautiful. The album doesn’t show promise of a new direction for them but is rather a shinier, spacier advancement from the previous album.
It lyrically deals with what I assume is the woes and trials of what is missed while on tour. Overall it is masterfully crafted. Each track manages to be expansive and dreamy yet simultaneously powerful and rock solid. It’s destined to please current fans and rake in some new ones. Make sure you don’t miss out on this one.

TDCC on FaceBook | Pre-order ‘Beacon’ on iTunes

Track List, Downloads & Free Candy after the jump (more…)

Scottish indie rokkers Frightened Rabbit, have released the video for the title track of their upcoming EP “State Hospital.” The video tells a rather depressing story and while the song isn’t exactly oozing with sunshine, there is something refreshing and optimistic about it. That could have to do with the repetition of “All is not lost” at the end. See what you think.