I’ve never been a huge Kooks fan so I can’t really talk about how their sound has evolved over the past 10 years.  All I can say is that “Sweet Emotion” is the second song I’ve heard off the British rock group’s fourth LP, Listen, released this year, and I can’t get enough.  “Sweet Emotion” showcases an amazing understanding of simple, groovy riffs and catchy hooks that don’t seem painfully commercial or cheesy.  The group embraces but doesn’t overdo their blues influences, keeping mindful of their pop/rock roots.  Nothing like jumping on a bandwagon ten years after it started rollin’.  Enjoy.

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Whenever pop music aspires to be more than just pop music, it’s worthy of our attention.  Such is the case with “Strange Enough,” the second single from the mysterious NY artist, Verite.  “Strange Enough” is darker and delves into more emotional complexity than your average pop fare, making it unique amidst a sea of songs churned out with cheerful electronics and upbeat, lighthearted vocalists.  Verite is off to a pretty impressive start and it will be interesting to see how she continues to stay miles ahead of her peers.  Enjoy.

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Laura Welsh has a flare for the bittersweet with her soulful “Hardest Part.”  Opening up about emotions we’ve all had to battle, (I keep lying to myself/I don’t need nobody else.  But I do/I need you), Welsh adds a bluesy swagger, owning her weakness for relying on someone else.  The UK artist seems to embrace weighty subjects with a natural ease and with “Hardest Part,” off her self-titled EP as evidence, I dare you to prove me wrong.  Enjoy.

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Any song opening that reminds me of “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama is automatically on my must play list.  “Up All Night” by Los Angeles’ Cannons embraces 80s pop while feeling current and a bit futuristic.  The trio have perfectly honed their self described “future boogie” into an insanely groovy track that is seductive and funky at the same time.  I may be prone to exaggeration but based on the few songs released by Cannons so far, we have a slick new synth pop group that is poised to take the indie world by storm.  Enjoy.

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This is surprisingly the first entry on EWH for Alt-J.  The UK outfit have a reputation of crafting music that is a bit shy or subdued.  However, there is a complexity to the music that eliminates the need for it to be aggressive or laden with upbeat commercial choruses.  Their recent single, “Hunger of the Pines,” continues the path of stripped melodies.  The track starts off barren but slowly leads into a synth-based chant, with a sample from Miley Cirus’ single, ‘4×4.’  Don’t run from this track simply because a 3 second blip of Miley Cirus is on it.  Alt-J seems to have picked the few words to loop and embed perfectly, adding confusing yet irresistible dimensions to the track.  “Hunger of the Pines” is the first single off Alt-J’s sophomore album, and I have a feeling more surprises are on the way.  Enjoy.

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“Thousand Eyes,” the first single off “Ices,” the third album from indie pop songstress, Lia Ices, diverges from her previous efforts, which typically tended to be more solemn and weighty.  The new track definitely leans more towards the pop realm, with a bit of reliance on electronic enhancements that, coupled with acoustic guitars, infuses more energy and creates multiple dimensions.  Upon a careful listen, you can sense pop, folk, and 60s rock all wrapped into a tight, neat package.  I’m hoping the rest of the album can continue this trend and expand Ices’ palate to more upbeat flavors.  Enjoy.

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With spiraling choruses and synthesizers swelling in the background, “Places,” off of Electric Sons’ sophomore EP, Chromaesthesia, is a soaring track that takes the Atlanta, Georgia quartet to new heights.  Every component of this track defines what indie pop is supposed to be.  It’s exciting, catchy, emotional, and an amalgam of instruments, both computerized and materialized.  Electric Sons’ self-titled EP was a promising start but Chromaesthesia is the first sign of the potential being harnessed by the foursome.  Let’s see what places they take us next.  Enjoy.

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It’s always a bit nerve-racking awaiting a band’s return after an amazing debut album.  There’s always the concern that they will never reach the heights they previously did, or they will strive so hard to change their sound that they are barely recognizable.  Both of these fears can be put to rest with “I’m Not Coming Back,” the first single off Husky’s sophomore album, hopefully due out later this year.  “I’m Not Coming Back” is that right mix of folk and pop to appeal to purists of both, and keeps that emotional essence that coursed through their first album, Forever So, intact.  The new album can’t come soon enough.  Enjoy.

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Breaking the shackles of your folk/rock roots ain’t easy.  Miraculously, The Apache Relay have done so, as is evidenced by their soulful “Katie Queen of Tennessee.”  The Nashville natives have spent the past few years working in the standard folksy realm but with the deep, langusihing harmonies on”Katie…” off their new self-titled album, The Apache Relay are exploring new territory, and making us fans of folk/soul in the process.  Enjoy.

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“Harlem” is the shiny, swirling, second single from the impressive duo, Cathedrals.  Based out of San Fran, this male/female twosome have shown range between the three tracks they’ve released over the past few months.  “Harlem” is by far the catchiest, most impressive of the three, blending standard pop elements with R&B, a southern hip-hop beat at the latter part of the track and a scathing guitar riff that tears through the track when its least expected.  With so many surprising elements working in such harmony, “Harlem” succeeds in keeping you on your toes. Enjoy.

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