It's another list of our favourite things to hit the 4ZZZ Library. If you see anything you like you can request it: requests@4zzz.org.au
You can also SMS a request: 0416 281 220
Or call: 07 3252 1555
Thanks to Linda Finlay, Ella Dann-Limon, Louis Whelan, Hayley Elliott-Maclure, Eamon Webb, Lauren Sachs.

The pick of the pick:

Australian Artists:
Alison Wonderland: Calm Down (Falcona / EMI)
Ciggi Witch: Rock And Roll Juice (Indie)
Kakariko: Speed (Hive Minds)
Lower Plenty: Life/Thrills (Bedroom Suck)
LUCIANBLOMKAMP: Help Me Out (Single) (Yes Please / Remote Control)
Mere Women: Your Town (Poison City)
The Zebras: Siesta (Lost & Lonesome)

Local Artists:
Lawrence English: Wilderness Of Mirrors (Room40)
Kahl Monticone: Monkey-Flower-Shell (Dusk Darter)
The Peppercorn Queen: The Good People (Indie)

Overseas Artists:
Austra: Habitat (Domino / EMI)
Every Time I Die From Parts Unknown (Epitaph / Warner)
Julia Holter: Don’t Make Me Over / Hello Stranger (Single) (Domino / EMI)

The rest of our favourites:

Australian Artists:

Various Artists: Oz Do It Better! (Peking Tapes / Beko Disques)
- ‘Oz Do It Better!’ is a compilation put together by Australian label Peking Tapes in collaboration with French label Beko Disques. The mixtape features 14 Australian bands (including some locals such as Thigh Master) and spans quite a range of styles including pop, psychedelic, shoe gaze, jangle and slacker. With such diversity, Oz Do It Better! contains a little something for any garage fanatic. Check it out. (Louis Whelan)

Various Artists: Parx-E Volume 4 (Clear Springs Entertainment)
- A compilation of singles from female-fronted bands and female solo artists from Australia, Canada and the US. Acoustic, pop, indie electro - this collection showcases a diverse artistic range from women in music. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Various Artists: Tsugu 03 (Tsugu)
- Three more cuts of very techy techno from the Melbourne label. Old school, uncompromising.

0point1: Clean Dirt (Indie)
- Melbourne based artist Bob Streckfuss has released an album under the guise 0point1, and it’s an intricate collection of tracks lurking between idm and ethereal pop. Each track is laced with jarring rhythms and haunting vocals, giving them a complex and unique texture. Although still full of glitches and strangeness, tracks like Cryogen create a softer mood, verging on a chillwave vibe. This album encompasses an array of juxtapositions, from the ghostly, wispy vocals with urgent and intrusive outbursts, to the album’s title, Clean Dirt. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Ali E: We Are Strangers (Single) (Indie)
- From the opening guitar riff I was hooked. A great new single from Ali E (of Damn Terran. Her vocals are honest – not overly processed like so many indie bands these days. Overall a great rock song. (Linda Finlay)

Alison Wonderland: Calm Down (Falcona / EMI)
- The party sensation works pretty well outside of the party context too. Her electro-pop, powered by outrageously huge trap and footwork beats and bass isn’t exactly backpack but it isn’t stupid either. There’s some great synth lines at play in these five cuts, especially the quieter ones. AW is clearly not just a capable beat maker, but one with a keen musicality. Stupendous hype usually makes me prepare for something mass-market oriented and I think I’ve underestimated her a bit. The more I listen to this the more I’m impressed. (Chris Cobcroft)

Anthony Devine: Contest Us (Devinity Records)
- Anthony Devine, with the help of an extensive oldschool guest list, crosses all sorts of urban genres on this LP. There's a very robust, Pacific feel in the warmly soulful and funky vibes. An impressive record. (Chris Cobcroft)

Augie March: After The Crack Up (Single) (Dark Satanic / Caroline / Universal)
- Back after eight years, AM woo us with a lush but still easy-on-the-ear dose of psychedelic pop.

Chasing Lana: In A World Of Disarray (Indie)
- Smooth and heavy. Despite the fuzzy guitars, this Melbourne alt-rock outfit have the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. A fine balance of precision and power.

Ciggie Witch: Rock And Roll Juice (Indie)
- These guys are real good. They're a six-piece from Melbourne who sing about how they can't talk to people, uni breaks, midday movies and Melbourne weather. Ciggie Witch is jangle-pop through and through, their lyrics are simple, and at times very self-aware. They have a similar sound to Real Estate, if Real Estate had Australian accents and talked about their day-to-day routine, like not having enough money to pay for petrol. The tracks act as mini mundane stories accompanied with well crafted dreamy, jangly progressions. Rock And Roll Juice is relaxing, at times ironic, but really flippin' good stuff. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Craig Stewart: Come On Tony, Come On Mate (Single) (Indie)
- Anti-Tony-Abbott comedy country.

Crisis Mr. Swagger: Translation Feat. Paul Ngozi / Mi Amor Feat. Gina (Single) (Indie / Diamond Chain)
- Born and raised in Zambia, currently residing in Perth, Crisis Mr. Swagger gives us a fast-paced politically conscious hiphop single featuring Zambian musician and social pundit, Paul Ngozi. On the flipside there’s Middle Eastern tinged electro-house and party rap. There are quite a few Africans bringing skills from their homeland and giving Aussies a serious run for their money. Crisis Mr. Swagger is, stylistically, a bit of square peg in a round hole at this early stage, but with his skills both as a rapper and a producer, he’s well-equipped to be as successful, maybe even more so, than anyone on the Australian scene. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure & Chris Cobcroft)

DMA's: Feels Like (Single) (I Oh You / Illusive / Mushroom)
- Fuzzy garage pop from Sydney with an echo of 90's Britpop. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Ela Stiles: Ela Stiles (Bedroom Suck)
- Ela Stiles takes a highly unexpected path on her full-length debut. Extremely sparse, plaintive and low fidelity folk-singing, generally accompanied only by other voices, reverberating in what sounds like an abandoned church. Points of reference might be US acapella hillfolk Mountain Man or that critically unhappy Scots troubadour Alasdair Roberts. There’s some beautiful fragments - most songs fail to hit the minute mark and a ten minute epic, Drone Transitions, which uses vocal harmonies to produce something that sounds a bit like wandering through Peter Jackson’s version of Lothlorien. Short, strange, but often beautiful. (Chris Cobcroft)

The Ellis Collective: Black Words (Single) (Indie)
Melancholic indie folk from Aussie six-piece The Ellis Collective. Introspective lyrics, sad strings and quiet sweet harmonies intertwine throughout this quintessentially Australian single. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Fingertips: A.D.D City (Paper Street)
- Adelaide electro-rapper maximising the ‘tude and making it sound good. Plenty for fans of M.I.A., Neneh Cherry, Santigold, Peaches or Australia’s own Twincest.

Forester: First Emerald (Single) (Surveillance Party)
- Forester (sans Clulow?) does d’n’b instead of electro-pop. A beautifully ambient track despite Forester not necessarily having the dance diva chops that might be called for. (Chris Cobcroft)

GRMM: Electrify (Single) (Neon)
- Bass heavy trap, but with soulful / deep house vocals and a wonderful, dancey euphoria that has a lot in common with Rustie, one of GRMM's inspirations.

Halfshark: Breath Of Man / Open Your Eyes (Indie)
- A couple of moody, very slightly electronic pop tunes, dark and sweet, from Carry Nation’s Jessie Warren.

Holy Moses Heartache: Cheers (Indie)
- Versatile and accomplished folk / folk-rock.

Holyoake: Even Weather (Indie)
- Gutsy, earnest alt-rock that will please fans of Eleventh He Reaches London or The Smith Street Band.

Jen Cloher: Stone Age Brain (Feat Tim Rogers) (Single) (Milk!)
- Wonderful and catchy. A great rock duet by Jen Cloher & Tim Rogers that captures the raw, harsh vocals while still being a pop-rock song. I particularly loved the B-Side to this single “Sad Dark Eyes”, a cover of “The Loved Ones” classic 1967 hit. It's not so pop- it's a much more moody, beautifully dark song perfectly suited to Jen's voice. Together with the B-Side this single is a winner. I hope there is an album coming soon! (Linda Finlay)

Kakariko: Speed (Hive Minds)
- The boy + girl + insanely bright synth-pop thing makes it difficult not to think of Matt & Kim, but that’s not really Kakriko at all. There’s a heavy, dreamy, ambient texture to their style that almost makes this synth-gaze and it really takes the edge off. Honestly, M&K should probably take note. (Chris Cobcroft)

Lower Plenty: Life/Thrills (Bedroom Suck)
- Another perfectly put-together record from the much touted Melbournites. Transcending both pop song-writing in general and the specifics of jangle-pop’s lazy, morose stereotypes, Lower Plenty’s quiet, off-key vignettes capture the truth of self-reflective, suburban Australia. (Chris Cobcroft)

LUCIANBLOMKAMP: Help Me Out (Single) (Yes Please / Remote Control)
- Heavy bass twines with Lucianblomkamp's processed vocal on this impressive single. A dark and menacing downbeat bass music cut that experiments fearlessly, especially that sweet soprano sax solo. If the rest of the album is as strong as this, look out. (Chris Cobcroft)

Luluc: Small Window (Single) (Sub Pop / Mistletone)
- Another classic number from the quiet folk duo that could. There are elements of Joni Mitchell or Alela Diane in Zoe Randall’s soft alto, and this is quite beautiful.

McBain: Exhaustion (Single) (Indie)
- Sludgy, brutal post-punk out of Melbourne.

Mere Women: Your Town (Poison City)
- Fantastic album from Sydney's post-punk trio, Mere Women. Very reminiscent of The Slits but somewhat easier to define. This album is full of interesting drum work with stripped back guitars and vocals that almost feel like they shouldn't fit in, but somehow manage to work brilliantly. (Linda Finlay)

New Navy: Heaven (Single) (Indie)
- Brand new single from Sydney boys New Navy. Dreamy indie pop to make you bop lazily, waving your arms absent-mindedly from side to side. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

One Day: Love Me Less (Single) (Elefant Traks / Sony)
- The hiphop super-group (Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate, Joyride & Jackie Onassis) make a cut that is jazzy and soulful and -just generally- pretty good.

The Owls: Own The Streets (Indie)
- Stomping indie-rock from the south. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Pretty City: Roll On (Single) (Indie)
- Riff-tastic, classic rock blended with a touch of psychedelia. The rolling, echoing vocals will take you back to the ‘70s and have you wanting more. (Linda Finlay)

Ribongia: Slave Trade (Single) (October Records)
- Ribongia’s been trying lots of new things: trap, footwork, tribal samples. Sounds pretty banging.

Sagamore: Feelings (Single) (Flightless / Remote Control)
- The sparse, lazy feel of country, the echoing haze of psych and the sweetness of classic retro-pop. Lots of old school goodness from the Victorian band.

Sea Legs: Mystery Hour (Single) (Indie / MGM)
- Echoing, gothic 80’s synth-pop.

Sticky Fingers: Just For You (Single) (Sureshaker)
-Lead singer Dylan Frost returns with his fused British and Australian accent in Sticky Fingers's latest single, Just For You, from their forthcoming album Land of Pleasure. Having just toured the UK, Sticky Fingers are back in Australia and are setting off their National tour at Splendour In The Grass. This track brings back some 90's Oasis sounds, emulating some Britpop nostalgia, weaved in with some psychedelic reverb. It's catchier than you initially think, particularly with Freddy Crab's piano motifs. These guys are set to play at the Hi Fi in Brisbane later this year in September. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Steve Hunter: Cosmos (Birdland)
- Steve Hunter’s electric bass drives and leads this colourful, often improvised but still very tight record. Fusion without being cheesy and never losing sight of the essential songcraft which is what really makes these songs exciting, beyond the impressive chops on display.

Surroundings: Of Bane, Burden & Change (Highland)
- Remarkably strong melding of prog and hardcore. Uncompromising both in its power and intellect. A smashing addition to where prog is at right now.

Vinnie LaDuce: Spinning (Single) (Indie)
- Easy-going, funky electro-pop that’s likeable enough, but it really gets going half-way through with a big synth melody. Keeps the listener hungry for more.

Willow Beats: Merewif (Single) (Indie)
- Twee synth-pop and post-dubstep: recipe for disaster. Somehow WB pull it off sweetly and winningly.

Xan Muller: Filter Dreams Feat. Mali-Koa Hood (Single) (Surveillance Party)
- Some from Brisbane may remember Xan from his days as Kid Kay Ferris and you can think of Filter Dreams as a pretty sophisticated update on that. Electro, deep house and drum’n’bass. Squelchy, synthy goodness.

The Zebras: Siesta (Lost & Lonesome)
- The Zebras have a headstart on the whole ‘90’s revival because they’ve basically been around since then. You can still hear their origins as a shoegaze band in the very smooth texture of the deliciously warm and sweet ‘90’s alt-pop they do. If the renewed fascination with the last decade of the 20th century has any legs on it, it will be because of bands like The Zebras. (Chris Cobcroft)

Local Artists:

Ball Park Music: Trippin' The Light Fantastic (Single) (Stop Start)
- Ball Park Music have their mojo back and they feel 'a million percent' in this cheesy slice of indie-pop. The harmonies are ace, the production is super-clean (they did it themselves) and -as usual- I don't know how to feel about the whole thing. There are phaser vocals that you might hear in a song by Queen or Electric Light Orchestra and a pretty tasty bassline to boot. I'm a bigger fan of Puddinghead's first single, and they try a similar organ intro and wordless chorus here, despite their insistence on unconventional song structures. Should I fight it? Most won't.
(Eamon Webb)

Bound For Ruin: From Victim To Villain (Single) (Indie)
- Metalcore gutsy enough to set itself apart from the pack, vocals that have something of Serj Tankian.

Cypher: Light and Sound (Single) (Indie)
- Brisbane singer-songwriter Cypher is only 16 years old and making songs beyond her years. Her track Light and Sound displays her tentative but beautiful voice, giving the track similar sounds to Daughter. This song has a deep and ambient feel, with a vague prog-rock progression that builds very nicely. If this is where Cypher is starting, I'm interested to see how she develops. (Ella Dann-Limon)

The Flumes: Sweet Sweet Rain (Indie)
- Psychedelic soul from the Suicide Capital of Australia, the Sunny Coast. The electric harp is something special. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Generation Jones: Brand New Beggars (Indie)
- Classic, 80’s alt-rock from a classic Brisband.

Hannah Rosa: Buried Alive EP(Indie)
- Brisbane gal Hannah Rosa has released her latest EP Buried Alive, a long awaited return since her 2012 Tall Poppy EP. These four folk tracks are soft and well crafted. The first track Delicate Love begins elegantly, and builds into something dreamy, haunting, showing-off Hannah's ethereal vocals. This EP has similar sounds to early Daughter stuff with a softer, folk feel. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Jakarta Criers: Long Way Round (Single) (Trusty Chords)
- Emotive, anthemic indie-rock, very well put together.

Kahl Monticone: Monkey-Flower-Shell (Dusk Darter)
- Short but intricate, acoustic instrumental vignettes. Restrained and subtle in a number of ways, but full of an atmospheric shimmer and other interesting effects achieved through the quietly athletic percussion work. A very satisfying record. (Chris Cobcroft)

The Kite String Tangle: Arcadia (Single) (Warner)
- Brisbane producer, songwriter and vocalist Danny Harley is the triple threat behind the electronic project The Kite String Tangle. Arcadia is the taste tester from the upcoming EP Vessel, boasting a down tempo that speaks of a disintegrating relationship; the vocal work is emotive and supports the smooth production of the song. The single is a different direction in terms of song-writing for Harley, but as a whole is just as strong. (Lauren Sachs)

Lawrence English: Wilderness Of Mirrors (Room40)
- The ambient supremo returns in what sounds like an apocalyptic mood, all the better for us! More or less distorted synth lines soar and plunge, erupting volcanically or drifting glacially. Every bit of Wilderness Of Mirrors sounds like a master at work. (Chris Cobcroft)

The Mouldy Lovers: 4101 (Single) (Indie)
- Local 7 piece, The Mouldy Lovers are at it again, bringing their gypsy-ska to your unsuspecting ears. 4101 was recorded as part of the 100 hours 100 songs project, and is named after the postcode of The Mouldy’s beloved Brisbane suburb, West End. Additional to their usually gypsy tunes, the lyrics of 4101 are delivered as a straight rap, with some real surf rock inspired guitar parts in the intro and verses. If you’re a fan of such acts as Rapskallion, Stormchasers, Le Suits or even The Cat Empire then give The Mouldy Lover’s a go. Plus their shows are always great for a dance. (Mitch Cutting)

The Peppercorn Queen: The Good People (Indie)
- Gritty, melodious country and blues from Brisbane's very own Jackie Marshall, A.K.A The Peppercorn Queen. That voice must travel up from the soles of her boots! (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

The Roseberys: The Roseberys (Indie)
- 60's revival rock from locals The Roseberys, complete with smooth vocal harmonies, neat guitar riffs and a tight, chugging rhythm section. Slightly twee, but instantly likeable. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Shandy: Dance All Night EP (Bootboys’ Cove)
- This three piece from Brisbane take some 70's Bootboy Glam, add some 1977 Punk to give you their Dance All Night EP. These two tracks are super fast-paced, gritty and very catchy. Having signed to a German label, these guys are headed on a European tour in September stopping in Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Shandy are also hosting a tour fund raiser gig at the Underdog Pub in Fortitude Valley on Saturday August 30. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Sleepy Tea: Hold On To Your Breath (Single) (Indie)
- Dreamy, moody indie-rock, very well put together.

The Stained Angels: Far Away Star (Single) (Indie)
- Local boys, The Stained Angels bring the thunder. Their new single, Far Away Star, is simply an awesome rock track. The riff is super catchy, the grooves are fun, the energy is high and the production quality is some of the best I’ve heard from a Brisbane rock band in a while. Also I think the guitar solo, though short is quite superb. Watch out for these guys, cause they have the makings of greatness in them, and this track highlights that. (Mitch Cutting)

Stu Larsen: Vagabond (IE Three Ltd / Inertia)
- Hailing from the small Queensland town of Bowenville, Stu Larsen appears to be doing very well for himself in the world of folk. His debut album, Vagabond, is truly a folk album through and through, filled with gentle drum brushes, laid back vocals, gentle fiddle melodies and the occasional wail of a harmonica. Not especially innovative genre-wise but executed well nonetheless. (Louis Whelan)

Twin Haus: Waxen Myriad (Indie)
- Emotive, anthemic indie-rock with touches of psych and post-rock.

Vyrion: Geo (Indie)
- Excellent and much admired black metallers unleash a new one. Suffocatingly thick texture, but still deeply melodic. Very well put together in every way.

Wax Witches: Summer Suckers (Single) (Stop Start)
- Another dose of bratty garage-punk-pop, just the way you like it. (Chris Cobcroft)

New Zealand:

Aldous Harding: Hunter (Single) (Lyttleton / Spunk)
- Great that this is getting an Australian release. Aldous Harding brings together trad. folk, indie and country with a voice that is -without being half as shrill- as sweetly strange as Joanna Newsom.

Overseas Artists:

Various Artists: Grassroots: United Over Ukraine (Bullet Proof / Nuclear Blast)
- A compilation to raise funds for people affected by the humanitarian fallout from the military / political crisis in Ukraine. For your money you get mostly ambient techno (some pretty neat cuts, too), but with some soundscapes and glitchy experimentalism too. There are two volumes, one from international artists, and the second featuring all Ukrainian performers.

Various Artists: Om Unit Presents: Cosmology (Cosmic Bridge)
- Om Unit has always been fearlessly adventurous as a producer and there’s some of that on this compilation he’s curated: bringing together various styles, including his home turf, jungle, footwork and dubstep, but it’s easier to just call it all bass music and in that way this collection comes together stylishly and slammingly. (Chris Cobcroft)

Airhead: Believe (1-800 Dinosaur)
- A remarkably eclectic EP from this British beatsman, coming out on James Blake’s label. Doesn’t sound much like Blake. Instead a fling with techno moves on into trap and bass music but created with a sonic palette of found sounds that’s as adventurous as any I’ve heard. At the current second much of electronic / urban music is threatening to run out of inspiration for the first time in a while. Airhead might not be breaking truly new ground, but he’s taking what we’ve got and making absolutely the most out of it. (Chris Cobcroft)

Alt-J: Hunger Of The Pine (Single) (Infectious / Liberator / Mushroom)
- A quite low-key return to their insane art-pop. Menacing, urban rock with a Miley Cyrus sample? Whatever, wanna hear the album.

Alvvays: Adult Diversion (Single) (Polyvinyl)
- I’ve been told to think Belle & Sebastian (the sweet, smart and deceptively poisonous lady vocals mostly) meets Veronica Falls (the rocking guitar sound mostly). A bit like The Dum Dum Girls too. All of these things are good, including Alvvays.

Amoureux: Never Young As Tonight (Neurotic Yell)
- Atmospheric and dreamy art-pop / no-wave. Dual female-vox make a good lead for this LA band.

Austra: Habitat (Domino / EMI)
- I've been awaiting this EP after listening to their single, Habitat, released last month, and it definitely delivers some serious ambient feels over the electro beats. These tracks are nervy, intricate and eccentric. Hulluu, for instance, is minimalistic and intensely eery, with soft repetitive whispers over the drum pad. These guys continue to surprise me with what they release, and if you're an existing Austra fan, it won't disappoint. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Belphegor: Gasmask Terror (Single) (Nuclear Blast)
- All of the Blast Beats. All of them. There are none left. If blackened death metal is your thing, then Belphegor are your band. There’s not much more to say than that. Gasmask Terror contains all that we would expect, brutal, guttural vocals, nonstop blast-beats at dizzying speeds, and constant treble picking from the guitars. The heavier metal fans should definitely look into them. (Mitch Cutting)

Bob Moses: I Ain’t Gonna Be The First To Cry (Single) (Domino / EMI)
- Alabama 3 electro blues meets James Blake crooning.

Co-Pilgrim: Pushover (Single) (Battle Worldwide Recordings)
- Classic alt-pop circa the 80s or 90s with a little 60s rolled in.

Channel Zero: Kill All Kings (Metal Blade Records)
- Ever wondered what would a mix between Pantera and Metallica sound like? Well that’s what Channel Zero have going for them. Kill All Kings is their second new album since reuniting in 2010, and it does a really good job of bringing Channel Zero’s known sound into the modern Metal landscape. There are slower, groovier parts, faster, thrashier parts and that nice in between spot where the band finds their own. If you’re a Metal person, I’d recommend Kill All Kings, it has enough dimensions to keep you interested throughout the whole album. (Mitch Cutting)

Cold Specks: Absisto (Single) (Create/Control / Mute)
- Menacing soft rock but not as interesting as her old stuff.

Courtney Love: You Know My Name / Wedding Day (Single) (Kobalt)
- Sounds just like Courtney Love. For all the crap she cops and so thoroughly deserves, it's easy to forget that she knows how to rock hard, and scream like a banshee.

Crystal Fighters: Love Alight (Single) (Pias / Mushroom)
UK based electro-ravers Crystal Fighters continue carving out their piece of the action using a bizarre yet compelling combination of glittery alt-dance and traditional Basque instrumentation. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Deadmau5: while(1<2) (mau5trap / Virgin EMI / EMI / Universal)
- Trent Reznor’s involvement in the latest Deadmau5, while in itself small, seems to have pushed producer Joel Thomas into colder and harder electro-house than ever before. A lot of existing fans of either TR or DM might not like it, but if you were after a lean, cold and vicious Deadmau5 or Trent with much of his bullcrap checked at the door, this record may well be for you. (Chris Cobcroft)

Every Time I Die: From Parts Unknown (Epitaph / Warner)
- The Buffalo band remind you that there was once a reason to listen to metalcore. Seven albums in and they bring a hungry energy like they were just hitting the big time. A psychotic rock'n'roll energy bursts through at breakneck speed, never too weighed down by the extreme heaviness or highly technical change-ups. Really good. (Chris Cobcroft)

Flood Of Red: Throw (Superball Music / Century Media)
- A perfect storm of indie rock, postrock and hard rock. Flood Of Red have a lot going for them, and more dynamics in this new album than I’ve heard on anything for a while. The track Part Truth / Part Fiction deserves a special mention for this: starting with a slow, groovey hook that hints at things to come, leading into a strange first verse with almost ambient musical accompaniment. Of course when the band then brings the noise for the second half of the verse, the build and contrast is beautiful. These guys are sonically very interesting, very layered, and very good at what they do. (Mitch Cutting)

Fold: Be Water My Friend (Single) (Indie)
- Be Water My Friend is a triphop track, recorded with live instruments. The song started its life being constructed entirely from samples; however Fold then recorded the track with live instruments, bringing a new life to Be Water My Friend. The result is way funkier than the average triphop track, and really brings the dynamics of the piece to life. Fold have a really cool way of interpreting modern music and this is an exciting and very interesting track to listen to. (Mitch Cutting)

The Gaslight Anthem: Rollin' And Tumblin' (Single) (Island / Universal)
- It's a Gaslight Anthem song and by now you get what you expect, right? I mean, The Boss isn't going to be around for ever, someone should be making this kind of fist-pumping, inspirational, working-class rock'n'roll.

Goatwhore: Constricting Rage of the Merciless (Metal Blade Records)
- Brutal. Goatwhore’s brand of Death / Thrash bordering on Black Metal is not exactly unique, but certainly high quality. There’s a lot of metal coming out these days, and it’s not often that a thrash / death metal band makes me stand up and take notice anymore. Goatwhore, however, are excellent, excellent enough to deserve a listen if the heavier genres of metal are your thing. Thrash fans rejoice 'cause Constricting Rage of the Merciless is everything it needs to be. (Mitch Cutting)

Goldfrapp: Thea (Single) (Mute / Create Control)
- Haunting new single from UK duo Goldfrapp, featuring Alison Goldfrapp's trademark breathy soprano vocals, Will Gregory's pulsing, shimmering synths and four to the floor beat. Hypnotic. (Hayley Elliott-Maclure)

Grimes: Go (Single) (4AD / Remote Control)
- This very poppy track which Grimes wrote for Rihanna, who rejected it, may or may not represent the sound of Grimes' forthcoming new record.

The Hydrothermal Vents: Secrets Of The Deep (Indie)
- Art-rock-pop out of Montreal, diverse and punchy.

James Yorkston: Fellow Man (Single) (Domino/EMI)
- Quiet folk with a Scottish brogue.

Julia Holter: Don’t Make Me Over / Hello Stranger (Single) (Domino / EMI)
-Julia Holter has released two incredibly inventive covers of Burt Bacharach’s Don’t Make Me Over and the 1963 hit Hello Stranger, by Barbara Lewis. These two covers have transformed the iconic originals into haunting, chamber pop ballads that are weirdly captivating and calming. Julia’s ethereal vocals have strange echoes of Lana Del Ray; just shows that Bacharach can make anyone a superstar, I guess. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Lido: I Love You (Single) (Pelican Fly)
- Ridiculous pop made highly bearable by stupendous electro-funk. A giant robot that looks like Prince.

Lower: Seek Warmer Climes (Matador / Remote Control)
- Turbulent post-punk / indie moving at a fair crack is what you get from this Danish band.

Midnight Masses: Departures (Superball Music / Century Media)
- Do you like effects pedals? If so you’ll like Midnight Masses. Do you like stripped down, groove oriented drums beats? If so you’ll like Midnight Masses. Do you like psychedelic rock, and enjoy the bands crossing it with a postrock influence? If so you’ll like Midnight Masses. These guys are seriously reliant on effects in their compositions, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it leads to some very creative sounds, textures and layers filling the music. There are passages that remind me greatly of Pink Floyd, and other moments that have a real Pond/Tame Impala feel to them. Definitely worth checking these cool cats out. (Mitch Cutting)

Matthewdavid: In My World (Leaving / Brainfeeder / Inertia)
- The Brainfeeder co-founder removes most traces of wonky from his sound, but retains the raw storm of strange, electronic ingredients. Over the top of that he's thrown his own quiet crooning and rapping, resulting in a strange, head-exploding, experimental, urban-pop
. It's not going to be a smash-hit, but for those prepared to spend the time, there's tons to waggle your curious ears to. (Chris Cobcroft)

Modern Baseball: You’re Gonna Miss It All (Run For Cover / Lame-O)
- Smarter than your average pop-punk band. Bringing intelligence and a sense of humour to emo-ish indie / punk, Philly's Modern Baseball give you a reason to listen to this type of music that is usually substantially lacking. Worth an Australian release.

The New Pornographers: Brill Bruisers (Single) (Matador / Remote Control)
- More infectiously classic indie-pop-rock from one of the few super-groups that consistently delivers.

Nothing More: Nothing More (Sony)
- Surprisingly catchy Metal. Not the heaviest or the fastest stuff out, but Nothing More have got their sound down. Definitely more for fans of Escape the Fate and their kin than the Slayer fans of the world. Upon first listen, I initially wanted to dislike these guys. I mean, they sort of remind me of if Fallout Boy were a Metal band, and who needs that? But by the end of the first track they had me swayed. Yes they’ve got an obvious pop influence with the vocal melodies, and I don’t think they’re exactly doing something new, but they’re still a quality band if those factors don’t bother you. Despite the aforementioned pop influence, there is a real sense of honesty to their songs. Also, after giving the album a proper listen, there are more dynamics and Corey Taylor-esque, reverb saturated vocal passages than expected. Again they’re not exactly going to change the world, but I’m gonna be buying the record. I’d recommend for fans of Escape The Fate, Blessed By A Broken Heart, maybe even heavier Attack Attack! stuff. (Mitch Cutting)

The Orwells: Disgraceland (Canvasback)
- This Chicago five-piece have just finished a tour with The Arctic Monkeys in the UK and US, and have now released their first album Disgraceland. This album is a real amalgamation of country, post-punk, and garage, and it works damn well. I found these tracks very catchy and at times messy, only adding to their don't-give-a-f**k vibes. As happy and cheeky as these tracks sound, they're still laced with feedback and distortion, keeping this post-punk trend seemingly popular. (Ella Dann-Limon)

Overkill: Amorist (Single) (Nuclear Blast)
- In professional wrestling there’s a popular chant that goes, “You’ve Still Got It”. It’s usually reserved for old timers who make special return matches and impress the fans by displaying great feats of skill and athleticism despite their aged and injured bodies. If I am ever to see Overkill live, I wish to start that same chant. Cause they most certainly have still got it. One of the earliest Thrash bands that I know of, Overkill are proving their dominance with their new single, Amorist. And fear not vintage metal friends, the solo is amazing, the drums heavy, the bass sludgey and the choruses hooky yet still heavy, with that vintage Overkill edge. This track is everything old school Overkill fans need it to be. (Mitch Cutting)

Phox: Phox (Partisan / Inertia)
- Pretty pitch-perfect, female-fronted indie-folk-pop from this Wisconsin band.

Profetus: As All Seasons Die (Svart Records)
- Saturnine, doom metal.

Sieren The Convoluted Truth (Shades)
- Berlin producer doing a luscious mix of bass, techno and ambience. Pounding rhythms and highly accessible harmonies make a pretty infectious combo.

Slow Magic: Girls (Single) (Create/Control)
- Downbeat dance, with a sliced up house diva vocal. All you Four Tet / Caribou fans commence grooving.

Snakehips: Days With You (Feat. Sinead Harnett) (Single) (Hoffman West)
- Latter day Lauryn Hill?

Streets Of Laredo: Lonsdale Line (Dine Alone / Cooking Vinyl)
- Twangy Americana that was far too American to stay in New Zealand and moved to the home of country-roots, er, Brooklyn.

Suicide Silence: Don't Die (Single) (Bullet Proof / Nuclear Blast)
- More crushing but at the same time invigorating death-core.

Swaying Wires: Bluebird (Single) (Battle)
- Unaffected alt-pop is given a boost by bursts of enormous, fuzzy guitar.

Tori Amos: Promise (Single) (Universal)
- Tori Amos delivers another piano ballad with this latest single, Promise, and it stays very true to what we're used to from Tori. A call-and-response duet between Tori and her daughter Natasha, the lyrics promising one another that they'll “be there”, so sweet. No, really it's nice. There's a strong theatricality to this likewise very confessional track. As such this isn't without it's cliches, but it'll hit the target for Tori's fans (Ella Dann-Limon)

Xeno & Oaklander: Par Avion (Ghostly International)
- Elaborate synth-pop / new-wave stylings from this girl / guy Brooklyn duo.

Zola Jesus: Dangerous Days (Single) (Mute / Create/Control)
- The deeply voiced goth-popper goes more dance pop than ever before. Pleasing some people a lot, others maybe not quite as much.