Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Animal Collective has been blowing people's minds for quite some time now, and their newest release, Merriweather Post Pavilion, is yet another exciting addition to their already extensive catalog. Like much of their more recent releases, the songs on this album definitely reflect the band's ever-changing interests and sounds very similar to the more electronica-influenced music Panda Bear's been putting out on his own. Deeply layered tracks, unique rhythms, and a certain amount of playfulness are the MO here.

from Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)

My Girls

Also Frightened

Bergen

There's something special about the music scene of Bergen, Norway. Apart from being famous for its beautiful scenery and its always extraordinary amount of rain, the city of Bergen also manages to again and again raise new and exciting bands that make people want to dance. Most of these artists are gathered in the local label Tellé, a label that unleashed international celebrities like Röyksopp, Annie and Kings of Convenience upon Norway and the world.

2005/2006 saw a lot of great releases from Bergen (and the extended Tellé family), including Whitest Boy Alive (picture above) and Datarock's debut albums.

Whitest Boy Alive - Burning
Datarock - Laurie

But since then, things were disappointingly quiet from Bergen for a while. Until now, that is! 2008 saw the release of California-based duo Rubies debut album Explode From The Center on the Tellé label. In includes guests appearances and help from some of my favorite artists - Feist and Kings of Convenience - and I've grown to love the Rubies just as much as I love these long-time favorites of mine.

March 2009 will see the release of the Whitest Boy Alive's second album, which follows up the funky minimalist pop of the debut, but adds a stronger influence of dance/house music (but still using live instruments). This new direction of sound is especially clear on Courage, listen for yourself. Röyksopp will also make a much-anticipated return later this year, and the new single Happy Up Here is sounding very fresh and promising.

Another Tellé release worth watching out for in 2009 is the debut album of the newcomers The New Wine. They sound like a Whitest Boy Alive gone electropop with chipcore Nintendo influences. The latter influence is something they hardly try to hide - the four geeks are spotted wearing Legend of Zelda t-shirts at live shows and credit Zelda and Super Mario soundtrack composer Kōji Kondō as one of their main influences. Check out their early demo "I Had To Tell You", it's funky as hell.

Rubies - Stand In A Line

The Whitest Boy Alive - Courage

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here

The New Wine - I Had To Tell You

I hope you'll enjoy some of these as much as I do. And hope they'll make you want to daaaaance!

Crystal Castles vs. the Little Ones

Evan was right to recommend Crystal Castles, but he forgot their bestest song, which is actually a fantastic remix of the Little Ones' "Lovers Who Uncover." I wish I could speak as highly about the Little Ones version of their own song, but I can't; it isn't nearly as sexy as this here remix by Crystal Castles.

Lovers Who Uncover

Crystal Castles

Crystal Castles - Courtship Date

Obsessive is the only word that can describe my listening habits of late. Crystal Castles is not the sort of band one can forget about after turning off their music. It lodges itself inside of your mind with an agreeable sort of tenacity.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, this duo (Ethan Kath and Alice Glass) combines digital effects passages, dripping with synthesized drumbeats, with Glass' distorted vocals. Hot stuff.

Crystal Castles on Myspace

Teengirl Fantasy

Azz Klapz Customize IT

Portofino

There's an immediate groove with a sampled catcall. A machine drum beat pumped through distortion with waves of synthesized melodies on top filtered through a phaser. One can't help but be caught up in this infectious song while navigating through the various ethereal electronic passages. The infection is good, though. It slips through the defenses of the outer ear and settles nicely in your memory for at least the next seventy two hours or so. You'll be aching to hear this song again. It's like potato chips. You can't ever listen just once. It will probably find a nice home in every single one of your party playlists from now on.

Teengirl Fantasy, comprised of Logan Takahashi and Nick Weiss, knows exactly how to craft memorable electronic dance anthems, though they aren't afraid to mellow out and hit you with a more laid back track. Then again, the latter will probably have some sort of rap sample on it. Therein lies the beauty of Teengirl Fantasy's sound. Highly textured sonic environments with plenty of experimental curveballs thrown in for an overall sound that leaves you unable to remain stationary.

peacez & luvz

Teengirl Fantasy on Myspace

Teengirl Fantasy's Angelfire page