Uppermost: Outsider

Uppermost, stage name of French Behdad Nejatbakhshe, is seriously progressive. He is influenced by Daft Punk and Burial, as well as personal influences. His beats aren't heavy, but it still makes you move.

Beirut: Goshen

Beirut is an American band influenced heavily from the European world. Goshen, though, is on the B-side to their album Rip Tide, released in 2011, which is the FIRST released recording without much (if any) external influence. The result is clean with moving lyrics and haunting melody.

Recent trends indicate that Beirut has lost following steadily over the last year. Change that!

"Where would you hide from such a glow?
You're not the girl I used to know."

Sufjan Stevens: Casimir Pulaski Day

Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter, born in Detroit, Michigan. Drawing freely from the Bible and other sources of traditional beliefs, he incorporates them into his work. This allows for a cult following, as well as a die-hard opposition. He utilizes interesting sounds, and various time signatures, which was one of the hardest things things for me to do as a musician. The song is a gorgeous rendition of a terrible subject, which you hardly even notice: the death of a friend on a holiday.

In case you guys were wondering what Casimir Pulaski Day is, it's a holiday in Illinois, apparently. This holiday commemorates an American Revolutionary War hero who aided American cavalry. This holiday is celebrated in areas where there is a large Polish-American population, such as in Chicago.

"And he takes and he takes and he takes."

Grizzly Bear: Sleeping Ute

Grizzly Bear is an American band formed in Brooklyn, New York employing various traditional instruments, in addition to electronic instruments. My ears pick up some serious harmony in this piece, and I like it. A lot of things are going on, instead of only one things, allowing you to not get bored if you've got it on repeat (which you, by all means, should). 

Cloud Boat: Dréan

Cloud Boat is a British Indie-rock band that sounds so clear that it could echo for miles and miles. Reminiscent of other Brit rock bands, such as the Beatles and Oasis, this band is a new-age spin on the mysticism that Britain's island offers to the rest of the world. 

Third Eye Blind: Hows it Gonna Be

Third Eye Blind is an American alternative band that was popular in the 90's. This particular song starts out with an auto-harp, which is obviously something a bit different than the norm. In particular, this song is an emotional trip for anyone (probably everyone) that's ever gone through a break-up. 

"I want to taste the salt of your skin" is pretty loud and appeals to the senses. The entire song is based on sensory details, "sharp as a thumb-nail scratch" and other cues make you remember what it smells, tasted, felt, looked and sounded like. Thanks, guys, for the trip.

Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko: Stay

I couldn't be more pleased to actually post a Rihanna song. I'm more and more amazed at my ability to accept things that I wouldn't think I would be pleased with daily. This song caught my ear at work earlier, as I was pulling a car out of the bay, and I lingered to "Stay" and listen. 

Rihanna is a controversial Barbadian recording artist, actress and fashion designer. I haven't ever been too keen on anything involving her, but damn, this song is so emotionally-charged with failure and the longing for something...something you've lost. 

Mikky is an up-and coming star with some serious potential and the voice of a god. His voice, in this sound, blends perfectly with Rihanna's and creates a wonderful and chilling duality. 

"Funny you're the broken one
but I'm the only one who needed savin'"
The pairing between the two is perfect, lacking nothing. Depth, richness, harmony--it's all there. 

Torqux: Midriff

Torqux is as edgy as it comes. He's a home-producing disc jockey with a serious passion for music. And by passion, I mean music is his sex. If it isn't, it sure sounds like it. With heavy electronic backgrounds and support from several beats, the only thing left to ask is: where does he get his vocals?

Jokes aside, this music goes all the way to serious dubstep, so deep. This guy's got some serious mixing talent. 

Spencer Kingman: Vietnam Malaria Nostalgia

This is a Juno-reminiscent song that is absolutely spectacular, but oddly named. Spencer Kingman's lyrics are both strange and completely off-the-wall. His geniune-ness while playing and singing makes even the weirdest lines sound nice, though. Instead of being dazed and confused, we feel privy to a baseness of humanity, in this song, Vietnam-era conflict. His picking is done with the fingers, leaving a tight and distinctive rhythm behind an infectious vocal melody (no malarial pun intended). This guy's lone album isn't just his, but is a double record called "Viking Moses". No production to speak of, but it's an esoteric piece worth knowing.

Lost in The Three: Alone in an Empty House

Alone in an Empty House showcases some haunting vocals, with some seriously indie lyrics, and tunes. The collective is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; they utilize airy melodies from American folk music and breed them with modern pop to create a sound that is something quite different but nonetheless reminiscent of both genres. 

Dream Panther: Chutes and the Ladder

Dream Panther is an American duo who is are rooted in California, the American Midwest and Greek heritages. These cultures blend into the most hypnotic and innovative set, transforming moments into beats, air into water and letting you swim in the moment. Breathe (drink) deeply!

ZZ Ward: Charlie Ain't Home

ZZ Ward is an American singer based in the American Northwest heavily influenced by Etta James. Her soul is reminiscent of Etta, with a heavy feel that moves you. Her soul is based in blues, from the sound of it. I first saw her live at Nashville's "Live on the Green"--my knees still hurt from dancing; (mostly Matt & Kim.) ZZ Ward is so good and soulful, like some serious Cajun cookin'

Yinyues (featuring Mimi Page): Everything.

The piano is such a haunting instrument. I remember when I was first learning to play, I would hold the Sostenuto pedal down to let certain chords ring out, letting the "soul" of the piano come out. This song is an extension of that.

Yinyue is a British composer experimenting with so much at the same time, and succeeding with all of it. This song captures the essence of a ton of things, all at once. 

Wildlife Control: Age Places

Wildlife Control is an American Indie-rock band based in Brooklyn, New York and Sacramento, California. This is an example of a band who was first an internet sensation, rather than rising to fame from pub to bar to venue. Much like the adage "Different Strokes for Different Folks," this band is marching to the rhythm of their own drum.

Mutual Benefit: Advanced Falconry

Mutual Benefit is the sound of everything making sense, if just for a second. It is the magic of ordinary moments. 

It is sound created and/or tastefully re-created by Jordan Lee as well as an ever rotating cast of ruffians and ne’er-do-wells

Keep Shelly In Athens: Recollection

Keep Shelly in Athens is a Greek duo. Combining electronic melody with some low beats and sprinkling on a bit of high lyrics, you come up with Recollection. Their first (and so far, only) album sold out, quickly.