Queen of Japan
Is there something wrong with me, or is it natural to be listening to “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” on repeat? Queen of Japan takes this, and a number of other stalwart steadfasts of rock and nostalgia and feeds them to a nearby ambiguously gay, early-model, dance android, who, after chewing delicately, spits back out a barrage of capricious, shake-your-ass ridiculousness! If you’re not cheesing and rotating those hips by the end of “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” you will be after “I Was Made For Lovin’ You”!

Blank Blue (aka Nobody)
Picture yourself in a record store at closing, over-sized cheap headphones on, eyes closed shaking your head slowly with a satisfied smile perched on your lips. Suddenly you have bridged some previously irreconcilable harmony. This is what is playing. The gentle seascape layers of music that build each track to greater and greater heights are masterful: never dominating, but letting you ease into the body-temperature warmth of a much-needed embrace. The album “Western Water Music Vol. II” will take you on a ride away from the harsh realities of this world.

Mojib
Whimsical Lifestyle is the name of his album, and the image conjured of a Pacific Islander, 15-year-old kid behind the ship wheel on an old-style yacht, complete with white captain’s outfit, smiling into the breeze is fitting. This downtempo music is riddled with loops and samples that tickle your memory, and some that don’t: I hear Kings of Convenience, early Moby, and Regina Spektor track samples so far. Whimsical is the perfect word to describe this music, that carries you through lo-fi beats, acoustic guitar, Disney-like electronic instrumentation, sitars, and of course, high-harmonic bell sounds.

The Bird and the Bee
Who is this band? That’s what all the kids are saying aka what is the general response upon first listening to this group. The crystaline peals of the lead singer’s voice ring true, but make it incredibly difficult to sing along to. And you’re going to want to! The catchy, meaningful lyrics of their bouncy songs are irresistible when it comes to singing them loudly (generally incorrectly). Also, I find myself dancing with a funny crooked neck when this music is on.

I’m from Barcelona
“I have built a treehouse! I have built a treehouse! Nobody can see us: It’s a You and Me House!” with a banjo/mandolin/oohs/aahs backing and full-on danceability. I think they are probably not from Barcelona, as I, for some reason, can’t really picture a Spanish treehouse. Imagining that such things exist are beyond me. This band reminds you of something you can’t quite put your finger on, but don’t really feel pressure to dwell on. (ps. they are Swedish.)

Wildbirds & Peacedrums
Wild as in Amazonian rainforest wild! Their music is such an amalgam of styles and influences that it is literally impossible to classify – and it sounds as if it’s all created between a Swedish songbird and a Nord drummer. And it is! As Swedish pop duos go, they match the Scandinavian eccentricity that you’d expect, ranging from jumprope chants (with the backing of hand-made peacedrums) to nostalgic blues in the scope of each song. Any way you look at this band, it is a fun listen with its own brand of energy: an experience in itself.

Smoosh

This band will put a smile on your face. They are just the typical friendly, unpretentious, musically talented indie-pop duo. Except for that they are sisters under the age of 16. This album was created as a duo, but the third sister has recently joined, making this literally fun for the whole family. Music is heavy on the piano, features lush, intelligent vocals with minimalist bass and guitar parts strewn about. A great find!

Apparat & Ellen Allien

This recent collaboration between Apparat and Ellen Allien is hard to place, as you could hear this in a salon, an upscale trendy restaurant, or on a stereo while you’re getting ready. The solid combination of influences puts some enjoyable drumlines, bass, and vocals in the air that ranges in moods from pensive to heartbroken to danceable, and will have you look up toward the end of the album and say something to the point of “Is this still the same disc? This is amazing.” 

Caribou

Caribou caught my eye on the Free Design remix album, and has recaptured my attention with their release Andorra. This release starts of solidly with a quick tempo, and adds layers upon layers of complicated harmonies for a beautiful presentation. Andorra is a tiny undiscovered country in Western Europe, which is a lot like Caribou – independent, sovereign, and I have no clue where they came from. Side note: Microsoft Word recognizes Andorra as a real word.

Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Don’t let the poppy punctuation fool you, they are diverse and danceable. Their new CD inspires your ass to get moving, is innovative, expressive, and generally well put together. With tracks titled “Attack of the 60 ft. Lesbian Octopus” and “Being Bad Feels Pretty Good” how could you go wrong?

Ghostland Observatory
Solid. An all-around solid band who greatly deserve their recent attention. They are an amalgam of Japanese De-Ionizing Foot Pads and 3 a.m. Strong Coffee, ready to point your toes to the dance floor and scream at you if you start falling asleep. If you get a chance to see them this summer, take that chance and take a friend. I am feeling a wide range of appeal here.

Bonobo
With a little help from Bajka who also makes appearances with Radio Citizen, Bonobo has created a beautiful album. If you’re a tracks person, check out “Days to Come,” the title track of the album, it will get you a solid taste for the complex instrumentation, lyrics and playful harmonies of this group.

The Crystal Castles

Wowpants. There are some tracks on their Bonus Songs release that will literally make you grab onto your socks. Are you looking for something danceable with an extra helping of sprinkles? You’ll be picking small sugary crunches out of the cracks of your dance shoes for weeks.

Flying Lotus

Let’s not forget that there was once a strong genre of music called lounge which can also be called downtempo. Flying Lotus is the glorious return of sitting and sipping and listening to music. It is also recommended for mid-day back massages, late-night rendezvous, and two-person bathtubs.

Colin Meloy

The singer for the Decemberists, his live album just came out, and is very good. His voice is haunting, his lyrics penetrating, and his guitar-playing more than adequate. He’s one of those guys that a guitar player looks at and thinks, I wish I were him.