kdr Gives You 5

Nothing much to say about this band, because, honestly, there's nothing much out there. I know it's a band that spends time in Auckland and LA and that they're going on tour with The Naked & Famous pretty soon across the US. This is their first single, and I think the lead singer's name is Sam. That's all I got. But this song will be stuck in my head for infinity - beachy and anthemic. 

I've absolutely fallen in love with this track over the past week. Noire are a trio based in Sydney and this is their only track at this point - it's gorgeous. Lead singer Jessica Mincher's smoky vocals really bring this track together. The band is getting ready to release another single soon, it seems, as well as recording and playing some live shows. I want more.

If you like bands that sound British you'll like this band (but don't go to hightyde.com unless you want to see an amazing website from a white rapper from Battle Creek, Michigan). No indeed, High Tyde are a quartet from Brighton that bring to mind The Wombats or Two Door Cinema Club - fun, infectious tracks. The band recently put out their latest EP, Trixx, which, while only being 3 songs long, begs to be listened to. Based on their photos they look super young, so plenty more to come from them I hope!

This track is hauntingly beautiful - especially at the beginning with some staggering vocals from singer Blythe Pepino. The track really starts moving around a minute in, echoing some similarly dark female voices - Banks, London Grammar, etc. Vaults (previously Vultures) put out their debut track in September and it's gotten some major attention for the London trio - this track will just fuel the fire. Expect them to have a big year. 

This song has made some rounds and there's a good chance you've been obsessed with it, like me. Big Data is Alan Wilkis, working in different capacities with other artists. Joywave vocalist Daniel Armbruster has been a particularly strong collaborator and is featured on all 4 tracks of Wilkis' debut EP, aptly named 1.0. Alan came by my studio the other day to take a few photos and I'll be catching his live show at Baby's All Right tomorrow night - lots to be excited about here!

I'm a bit late to the party on this one - seems like a lot of people are talking about Fickle Friends since they released this, their debut track back in January. I heard and loved this track, but in my busyness I forgot to post it - I was reminded when I heard their equally great new track, "Play", pop up on my Soundcloud feed this week. Fickle Friends are a quintet out of Brighton led by the strong vocals of Natassja Shiner. They're somewhere between The 1975 and CHVRCHES. Love it.

Guy/girl vocals. Can't beat them if they're done right - Linus Young does it very well. And no, Linus Young is not either of their names - the group is made up of LA-based Iris Belson and Joseph Walker. The first time I heard them they reminded me of someone, but it took me a minute to figure out that they're a poppier Civil Wars in a lot of ways - the way their voices meld is just gorgeous. The band released their debut single "City of Sin" last year and then dropped this track just this month. I'm eager to hear more from them - I think they've got something really special. Excited to see them whenever they come into town.

I immediately loved this track when I heard it the other day - it's such a big and enveloping sound and I like everything that's going on in all directions. Rhodes (not sure on the full name) is from Hitchin, UK, and this is his latest single - his new EP, Morning, is out May 11 - I'm really looking forward to hearing that. He's getting ready for tour dates throughout Europe with Sam Smith and London Grammar, so he'll be in good hands.

Though winter is FINALLY behind us, the release of Vancouver Sleep Clinic's debut EP, Winter, has just come my way. And boy, is it ever beautiful. Brisbane (not Canadian) musician Tim Bettison is the kid behind the music - he's only 18 (and just turned 18 three days ago), but man, he's got chops. The band name paints a picture of something wistful and beautiful, and that's exactly how I'd describe his music. Will he get Bon Iver comparisons? You betcha. Do I love this? Absolutely. 

The first time I heard this track I sorta thought it was Lorde. I'm not alone on that - singer Sydney Morris's vocal styling is very, very similar to the New Zealand superstar. This song, the band's first track, gives a slightly darker and moodier vibe - it's sexy. Not much else is known about the Florida duo - Kevin James Neal makes up the other half of the group - but this song definitely has them on many A&R and blog watchlists. 

Lastly today a voice you probably know - Hamilton Leithauser is the lead singer from The Walkmen. Leithauser is releasing his debut solo record, Black Hours, on June 3rd, and is playing a handful of shows over the next month to promote it - he's playing 4 shows between two nights next Tuesday and Wednesday at Joe's Pub. I haven't listened to any of the other tracks from the record yet, but I love the quirkiness of this track - mixed with guest vocals by Amber Coffman, it kinda sounds like it could be a Dirty Projectors song.

Yay girl synth pop. So hip right now, and so many great bands to choose from. This particular track comes from X priest X, the project of singer Madeline Priest and David Kazyk. The Orlando duo will release their debut EP, Samurai, on the 15th via Sweden's Emotion Records. I really like the production on this track - it feels like it should have been on the "Drive" soundtrack. Super dreamy and I'm super hooked. The band actually released a new track today, "Sophie K", which is worth a listen as well. 

This album is quickly moving up my list of anticipated 2014 releases. Last year I wrote about this band, though they were still called Oren Lyons at the time, and their incredibly beautiful track "Forever Found". Well, they're back with a song you might have heard - it's the HBO spring preview soundtrack. It's got similarities to the first single - the orchestral arrangements add incredible depth - but the track itself sounds like an Adele James Bond theme song. Love it so, so much. Can't wait for this record, out on June 3rd on The Verve Music Group. No NYC tour dates at this point for the LA band, sadly.

I love this dude's voice. Not to be confused with Kwes., KWABS. is Ghanaian-born, London-raised Kwabena Adjepong and his soulful voice and electronic production are a perfect combo. This song was actually produced by SOHN, who seems to be everywhere these days. It's so good. KWABS.' new EP, Pray For Love, is out on May 20th (in the UK, at least?) on Atlantic Records. I'm really looking forward to seeing this guy live. 

Man, nothing better than a catchy indie pop song. Why haven't more bands remembered how important whistling is in getting a song stuck in people's heads? These guys got it. The Derevolutions are a duo made up of Brett Boucher and Ana Karina from Boston. They've been putting out music for a little bit - their Soundcloud currently has 11 tracks on it from the past 5 months - but this is clearly the most well-received. Not a ton of info out about them and their plans, but for now (and probably most of the summer) I'll be whistling this song and tapping my toes. Fun stuff.

I mistakenly thought this was a Kimbra song the first time I heard it - it reminded me of her track "Settle Down" - but it actually belongs to a Brisbane duo called The Phoncurves. Comprised of the incredible voices of Abbie Roberts and Naomi Burrell, they remind me of someone else... an Australian Lucius? They have really nice harmonies and a few quirky tracks - "Heartstrings" has a completely different but similarly stunning sound to it. Both tracks are on their new EP, Heartstrings, which comes out soon I think? I want it now.

I've heard the name Mutual Benefit for a few years, but for whatever reason they never really got on my radar. I finally got around to seeing them at Hype Hotel down at SXSW and really liked what I heard. Mutual Benefit is Jordan Lee's project, though he has a collective of friends/artists that he works with. He released his debut LP, Love's Crushing Diamond, back in the fall to great reviews - Pitchfork's Best New Music among them. While I haven't really lived with the record yet, the band's beautiful folky Sufjan Stevens-y sound is impossible to deny.