Carrousel - Darling EP

Last week Tallahassee's Carrousel released their debut EP, with an LP to follow in February. With sonic cues coming from the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Beach House, The Darling EP falls squarely in the intersect between Folk and Dream Pop. The album's warmth and accessibility is no accident however. Wisely, the band (originally a duo) decided to hole up in their home studio, focusing entirely on recording and honing their vision for the album without the complications of playing live. Two years in the making, the sense of dedication is palpable on the EP as it glows with a homemade sweetness, intimately crafted in a world all its own.

Stream: Gauntlet Hair S/T LP

The Surprisingly under-hyped Denver group Gauntlet Hair release their self titled debut tomorrow on Dead Oceans, but you can stream in right now. Gauntlet Hair presents massive blasts of melodic joy one after the other, and indisputably prove that indie rock can still have teeth in 2011. The obvious talking points will be Sleigh Bells and No Age, but I can't help but hear hints of Oberhofer as well in the vocals. Stream the album at Consequence of Sound, and check out a few mp3s below.

Keep Time - Gauntlet Hair

Top Bunk - Gauntlet Hair

Fair Ohs - Baldessari

Sure, they fell off the planet for a while, but "Fair Ohs" are back! They've dropped the "thee" but their sound hasn't changed much. Stereogum says their debut LP will be out by the end of the month on the always respectable Lefse. Check out the opening track , and the seasonal essential "Summer Lake."

Baldessari - Fair Ohs

Summer Lake - Fair Ohs

BOBBY - Ginger (Water Birth)

Until now, the dreamy indie rockers BOBBY have received a large amount of admiration based on the strength of just a few songs. Their debut single "Sore Spores"stood out in particular, and I can easily say its one of my favorite songs of the year. A lack of work to judge is no longer an issue as you can now stream their debut LP, clocking in just over an hour over on NPR. Fortunately this wasn't a case of over-hype: There are a lot of familiar sounds, but they sound startlingly original in BOBBY's hands. Influences from Death Cab for Cutie, the quieter moments of Modest Mouse, and S. Carey jump out to me at first. Most impressively, BOBBY's bag of tricks (gorgeous harmonies, tribal leaning percussion, synthesized whistling) are vast enough to remain original but organic enough to avoid sounding gimmicky. Definitely a required listen for anyone bemoaning the current state of straight laced indie rock.

Stream Bobby and grab an mp3 below:

Ginger (Water Birth) - BOBBY