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A sophomore album, the most crucial installment for a rising band to truly establish a known sound, has been released by the up and coming duo, Tennis. The pair is lead by the vocals of Alaina Moore and overlaps the melodies that husband and band mate, Patrick Riley, creates.

 None of the ten songs exceed the three minute and thirty second mark, leaving listeners to take the songs in doses instead of overwhelming chunks of music. The light nature of the songs keep listeners engaged, but not necessarily wrapped up in the nature of the songs. 

Check Out: "Origins"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qapnomk2sys

Joe Goddard isn't new to the dance, house and electronic scene. Goddard, of the band Hot Chip, alongside Raf Rundell form The 2 Bears.

Check Out: "Ghosts and Zombies"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oH-Dc3xGoQ

Lyrically, vocally and musically, Busby Marou is an extremely strong singer-songwriter duo from Australia. Their self-titled debut album dropped recently and was well received in their home country and it is starting to make waves here in the states as well.

The duo of Tom Busby and Jason Marou create an indie-esque rock sound with lots of layers and big warm sounds coming from a multitude instruments. The tracks truly do vary as some of them are a simple electronic and acoustic guitar duet with very mellow harmonies, where other tracks incorporate an old American west sound with harmonicas and banjos in some tracks.

The album as a whole is striking. It toes the line of many different genres, but never fully identifies into just one. They use elements of country; combine them with strands of basic indie acoustic, Busby Marou is a fantastic display of musicality and melodious amicable. acoustic and tie it all together with wonderfully compelling lyrics.

Check out: "Binding My Time"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHHyKw-r8cs

Opening with a choral number, droning peacefully to an orchestral background and continuing quietly into the second track “The Animal of Choice,” The Daredevil Christopher Wright creates an incredibly peaceful atmosphere in the newest album The Longsuffering Song.

                This indie-rock group from Amery, Wisconsin shows that great things really do come in small packages with their newest EP.

                Though there are only five tracks, the album itself could truly be something great if it were extended into a full LP. It has a focused sound which drives the listener to want more of the soothing harmonious vocals and ethereal background.

                The Longsuffering Song should be a misnomer, as the entirety of each song is quite the opposite of suffering. Instead, The Daredevil Christopher Wright does very well, indeed.

Check Out: "Love with all your Heart"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhDDMDsEslg

Christy Hunt’s uncanny resemblance to Joan Jett may have been what initially drew me into Pink Mink. Pink Mink is post Runaways Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. The Twin City quartet that is Pink Mink may have all the elements of the Blackhearts, but with an even more powerful bassist— Jacques Wait, who controls the tempo of every song, and makes the bass the most prominent instrument.

 Nearly every song is n your face and full of charismatic energy. “Earthquake On The Loose,” the second track on the album whines to the listener with the reverb kicked up, and the bass line thump-thumping through you. A glam-punk aspect kicks the song off with a catchy yet uncontrollable hook.

Check out: "Earthquake on the Loose"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpn5GjRkCSU

Hailing from Copenhagen, this is Teitur’s second release Let the Dog Drive Home . 

                  With an interesting sound to match its name, Teitur counts their band amongst the acoustic, alternative folk-rockers of the indie scene, but in all honesty, their sound comes across a lot softer.

                  With easy orchestral bass and soothing strings in songs like “Very Careless People,” and a poppy combination of piano and woodwind in “All I Remember from Last Night Is You,” they certainly set the stage for easy listening.

                  In addition to a well-rounded sound, Teitur shows off great lyrical talent, expressing their ideas in such a way that any listener can relate. Their words flow beautifully with the music, painting a scene for each track—something very difficult to achieve.

                  Let the Dog Drive Home is a great album full of wonderfully interwoven instrumentals and a brilliantly fun story-line to match. Well done, guys. 

Check Out: "Very Careless People"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ADp1pOVaEA

  Pennsylvania born Evan Voytas has his own individual take on music. Mostly inspired by the music of the 60’s and 70’s, he took on many instruments and followed the rythmns of some of his favorite bands and singers. He pursued his dream of becoming a musician by traveling trying to find himself and finding inspiration in living in solitude for a while, where he ultimately found inspiration to write and record his EP.

                The flow on this album is fantastic. The songs twist in and out of each other beautifully, and almost unnoticeably and his soft and high voice mesh together well with the beats in the background. There is no competition on this album when it comes to sound, because everything balances out perfectly.  This album would make perfect background music for a very chill environment, like a bar/lounge area or a coffee shop. 

Check Out: "Feel Me"

Not native to any sound demographic in the US, of Montreal is back for a third time in two years with Paralytic Stalks.

 The first track, “Gelid Ascent,” has an uncanny resemblance to Bright Eye’s “Approximate Sunlight.” The vocals are nearly hidden under the gargling synths, but you are just able to make out the put down after put down from moaning lead singer, David Barnes. The echoing tracks eerie force draws you into a deeper, more confrontational, side of life.

These Sydney natives hit the indie scene hard with their newest release Prisoner. With fleshed out hi-fi and female vocals to rival Zola Jesus, The Jezebels know what they’re doing and aren’t afraid to show it.

Experimental infusions of spacey electronica, piano, strings and then the traditional guitar gives Prisoner a wide variety of flavors that juxtaposes nicely with the occasional folk overlays.

“Rosebud,” sounds like the score for Dirty Dancing or any other 80’s movie, while “Long Highway,” and “Endless Summer,” fall heavily on the folk side.

Hayley Mary’s vocals play savior to the track’s diversity, matching all genres effortlessly as she moans and hums her harmonics through each style. “Nobody Nowhere,” is the darkest track on the album, making a definite statement as Mary’s ghostly soprano hums high above the distorted wails that play as the background to a dramatic classical score.

Though Prisoner may be all over the place, it certainly makes a statement that you won’t quickly forget.

Check out "Nobody Nowhere":

          With a name like Biscuit Kings, an album called “Hambones & Trombones” and a song called “Hot Barbecue,” one might expect some tasty blues jams. The Kings deliver precisely that.

Singer Johnny Pierre kicks your teeth on nearly every song with a bourbon-drenched growl of a voice reminiscent of Tom Waits or Howlin’ Wolf. With an array of instruments from the electric guitar to keyboards to trombones, hey’d be right at home in any down and dirty bar, especially the Hickey Tavern.

“Hot Barbecue” is a simple upbeat song detailing the events of a Saturday afternoon: food, ice-cold beer and even some bathtub gin. These must be fun guys, right? Not every song is a blues party as Pierre settles into a series of ballads, like “Angel On My Shoulder” and “Close To The Sun.”

They’re at worst a fun, uneven novelty, but at times a refreshingly simple throwback to the roots of rock and roll.

Listen to "Hot BBQ" -