Labyrinth Ear - Humble Bones

UK synth pop group Labyrinth Ear are prepping to release their second EP on February 7th. The band starting gaining buzz around their Arthur Russel cover last year, but they had all but disappeared from my awareness until I saw their single floating around various blogs today. Humble Bones is a subtle improvement on their current sound, exuding a level of confidence like nothing they've released so far. A fine introduction to the band's dark tropical pop that's sure to gain momentum.

Pre-order the Apparitions EP on bandcamp and get a free download of Humble Bones immediately. You can download their first EP for free at their website. 

Star Slinger - Chain Dumbin (ft Juicy J, Project Pat, Reggie B)

Star Slinger does a lot of remixing, but I think this is the first time he's remixed his own song. Chain Dumbin unwinds the excellent forward thinking "Dumbin" into a slightly more straightforward, rap friendly beat. Juicy J and Project Pat are the rappers of choice here, and they both bring joyously ignorant verses.
Dumbed down? Perhaps, but still loads of fun. Stream the track below, and grab the free download if its still available.

Star Slinger " Chain Dumbin' "(Feat. Juicy J, Project Pat & Reggie B) [DIRTY] Click BUY for FREE DL by Star Slinger

Music Video: Stay + - Dandelion

British rave revivalists Stay + (Formerly Christian Aids) offer us the second great music video of the new year. The band is as cryptic as usual, but youtube tells us that the song features Psychologist and Miss Ballooniverse, presumably on vocals. Its an interesting deviation from their usually ghostly cuts of diva vocals, and the shift from found footage to a originally recorded video doesn't hurt either. 2011 may have been their break out year, but its looks like 2012 will be the year Stay + really get ambitious.

Order Dandelion on 10" vinyl or digitally from the band's website.  

Music Video: Youth Lagoon - July

Youth Lagoon - July from Tyler T Williams on Vimeo.

Not quite as heartwarming as Tyler T William's first Youth Lagoon video, but he still knocks it out of the park. This time around I think some people's brains melt? July is off of the Year of Hibernation, my fourth favorite album of the year.

Cough Cool/ Johnny Hawaii split tape

 Before I dig into the actual music, can we just acknowledge that collaboration is awesome? 3 labels across two continents (La Station Radar, Antelier Ciseaux and Hands in the Dark) are joining forces to release a split tape between Johnny Hawaii and Cough Cool. The tape is the first release for France's Johnny Hawaii, and a victory lap for Cough Cool after his full length debut last year. The two are an easy fit together as both artists play a similar brand of shoegaze influenced lo-fi. Cough Cool is louder, tighter and more distorted, while Johhny Hawaii softens the texture and allows his music more room to wander. Stream two new tracks from the release below, along with an older Cough Cool favorite to be included on the release.

Cough Cool - Plastic Jewlery by Hands In The Dark


Johnny Hawaii - Jesus Words On A Surimi Stick by Hands In The Dark


Sup Girls in the 60s - Cough Cool

Music Video: Those Lavender Whales - Growth in Question

Those Lavender Whales - Growth in Question from Lunch & Recess on Vimeo.

Twee/folk trio Those Lavender Whales are set to release their debut album "The Tomahawk of Praise" January 17th on Fork and Spoon Records. These guys (and gal) are some of the happiest people you can ever hope to meet, and it definitely shows in their music. Check out another mp3 below or do yourself a favor and just pre-order the album!

Exist - Those Lavender Whales

Memoryhouse - This Will Be Our Year (Zombies Cover)

There couldn't be a more appropriate song for January first! The real question though is whether Memoryhouse meant "This will be our Year" as a universal sentiment or a bold declaration of self confidence. Singles like these could very well make 2012 their year, but only time will tell.

The Will Be Our Year (Zombies Cover) - Memoryhouse
The Kids Were Wrong - Memoryhouse

Memoryhouse's debut album "The Slideshow Effect" is out February 28th on Subpop.