First impressions surmised that anything Grimes related would be off limits to the crevices on the side of my head. Seemed like it might be some art wank along the lines of Joanna Newson but with electro pulses instead of a plucked harp string. Surprised I was then that this song has been swishing around my general environs for the last few days. Clare Boucher supplies the audio and the drama with the venerable 4AD appearing to be providing the ammunition. ‘Visions’ is her 4th offspring in less than as many years so this is a prolific creative manifestation. It all sounds machine-like but the collective nuts and bolts are as close to human as we’ve heard yet. KD

Grimes – Genesis

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Grimes
Year: 2012

Rejoice all you foodies into bands that reference all the ingredients required to make a dish of the day, for Ohio kitchen dwellers Pomegranates are due to release their 4th album ‘Heaven’ in June. And to whet your appetite here is something from their second last LP ‘Everybody Come Outside’. If ‘Corriander’ doesn’t get the gastric juices flowing then you are more than likely just after a huge meal and in need of a walk rather than more sustenance. ‘Corriander’ skitters all over the place leaving behind a cloud of colourful plumes, it appeals on so many levels you could almost design a lunch menu around it. And that’s before you even begin to realise that the band’s singer is named Joey Cook. A tasty treat all round.KD

Pomegranates – Corriander

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Pomegranates
Year: 2009

Despite being a large rodent it seems the infeasibly ugly Capybara is quite the socialite, preferring to hang with the gang rather than mope alone in a distant swamp. Which partly explains why new Kansas band Capybara chose it for their identity. Take a listen to their lolloping delight ‘Late Night Bikes’ from their newbie ‘Dave Drusky’ and marvel at those inclusive turns of indie euphoria. It might well give the weaker amongst you minor palpitations, but ain’t a spell in A&E worth this little number. It blossoms and retreats in a funny seque-free type of way but from the very first listen it was held tightly to our collective bosoms. KD

Capybara – Late Night Bikes

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Capybara
Year: 2012

As it turns out their naming convention is pretty apt, especially in the context of the ear bending stereo provided by ‘In Knowing’. This is what you’d expect to hear from a set of speakers designed for projection underwater during a force nine gale. It bubbles you see, in a way that might test your patience, especially if you have faulty hearing. For everyone else it is a neat introduction to the world of New York pair Chris Clarke and Meadow Eli. To date they’ve only got a self-titled home-baked EP to their name but there’ll be plenty of ears anticipating the follow up. KD

Swimming In Speakers – In Knowing

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Swimming In Speakers
Year: 2011

Act So Big Forest is a little label from Fort Collins in Colorado, a little hamlet at the foothills of the Colorado mountains (actual size may be different). Their headline act is Candy Claws who you’ll know we care a great deal about. We’ve dipped in and out of their catalogue especially at Christmas time when they release the most fantastic of festive collections. Now we have another reason to make even more return trips with the news that Moon Tides have signed to the label. Take a listen to their new song ’1966′ and watch as you quake in your boots at their slant on ye olde indie template. We’ve heard it in various varieties over the years but can’t stop but smile at its earthy energy. KD

Moon Tides – 1966

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Mood Tides
Year: 2012

Ultimately it is the groove that wins the day, a circular swing that should turn the moshpit at your local indie emporium into a sweaty mass of individuals unable to exert self-control in the face of such effervescence. And you are likely to be hearing a lot more from the Edinburgh quartet given that their self-titled debut has been on the receiving end of a plethora of critical laurels. They’re given to the guitars but aren’t afraid to fraternise with the machines which results in a refreshing mash of originality and retro dues. KD

Django Django – Default

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Django Django
Year: 2012

It may start out a little like R.E.M.’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ but that’s where the similarity ends for ‘Come On Over’ is an immensely propulsive thing once it locates its afterburners. It comes courtesy of London act Veronica Falls who’ve had previous with the Royal We and have cocked the ears of some clued-in folks at the Slumberland, Captured Tracks and Bella Union record labels. All this surely means one thing, critical fawning followed by a long slow terminal decline before they decide it’s time they got real jobs. I really hope not. KD

Veronica Falls – Come On Over

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Veronica Falls
Year: 2011

It must seem like a very odd thing for a music blogger to say but as the years tick by the less and less I find myself listening to whole albums. Not sure if you are born with ADD or can acquire it but it seems that as more and more music crosses my path the less and less I appear to be listening to it. Not that that I’ve in any way fallen out of love, the opposite in fact, but at about 3 songs through my mind begins to wonder about the next collective on the horizon. I do make exceptions though for bands who I know are worth the effort. One being the Ambience Affair and their recently released album ‘Burials’ which is the epitome of a slow burner. And one that probably goes over the head of a large cohort of potential fans. If I’m honest it took some time to sink in, it was only after about 3 sittings at the part where ‘The Fallen’ fleshes out via the intervention of some strings that it really made sense. ‘Burials’ is a record that could only have been made by an Irish band (that seething melancholy) but in many ways it sounds distinctly un-Irish. Perhaps the Ambience Affair purposely made it this way but what is not in doubt is their attention to detail (the devil is in the detail as they told us so eloquently on an early release). There are hidden crevices that need exploring throughout and only when you’ve mapped out each and every one does the album reveal itself. The Ambience Affair still have some way to go but when the moment arrives they will be truly something to behold.
KD

The Ambience Affair – The Fallen

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: The Ambience Affair
Year: 2011

An Irish band doing indie rock, how particularly un-novel given that there are a million or so of them in operation. Especially now that the economy has taken a giant dive and all the young people will have nothing to do except scoff up their runners, grease up their unkempt hair and dream of throwing apple gizmos into the pool from their 5 star hotel bedroom. Pretty confident that Cork band Superblondes won’t get that far but they may well be able to assemble a neat niche for themselves if they can knock out a dozen or so ditties similiar to this one. They certainly strut like a turn of the century Strokes and thankfully they back it up with a chorus that is within touching distance of reaching dizzy heights. As first steps go this is a gentle leap. Some genuine blondes might even say it was Ágætis Byrjun. KD

Superblondes – Can’t Do It Alone

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Superblondes
Year: 2012

Such a bitch of a day Tuesday, so feckin’ useless really, and so meaningless in the context of getting to the other side of the weekly grind. But we probably owe it at least one high five for motivating Bloomington youngsters Selfish Whales into writing the shortest ode to those 24-hours (serious nods to Why? here) without ever sounding like it was a throwaway idea that needed legs. This beauty is taken from the group’s debut album ‘Enjoy The Weather’ which can be purchased for nowt from their bandcamp. Throw them some money and it may even make their day. KD

Selfish Whales – Tuesday Blues

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Selfish Whales
Year: 2010

One of the unexpected consequences of listening to so much new music is that when I’m asked for a recommendation I am often stumped. A thousand bands circulate around my cranium and rarely does one peep over the precipice and offer itself to the expectant questioner. Thank the lord then for Lower Dens who have not only scooped top spot on our songs of the year last year but with 2012 a mere few days old they are already making inroads into a near impervious heart. Jana Hunter and her crew have just offered the first twinkling from upcoming album ‘Nootropics’ (end of May) and boy is it showing some brawn. So much so that I’ve started to tingle as if my torso had turned tooth-like and chewed on a gold coin. ‘Brains’ is effortless and beats a path to my door that leaves me with nothing but open arms. So if you’re asking, you should definitely check out Lower Dens. KD

Lower Dens – Brains

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Lower Dens
Year: 2012

Well she did set out to sound like PJ Harvey after all and this certainly has the building momentum and snarl of a ‘Sheela Na Gig’ epic. Setting such grand targets could result in hollow results but Van Etten had a backroom team that contained various members of the Walkmen, Wye Oak and the National so success was all but assured. If anything ‘Serpents’ is even better than that. This really is a kick in the balls without the associated pain. A crash, band, wallop that never veers beyond its lazer guided central hooks. Really whets the appetite for Van Etten’s upcoming LP ‘Tramps’. KD

Sharon Van Etten – Serpents

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: Sharon Van Etten
Year: 2012