Sylvan Esso featuring Amelia Randall Meath: Coffee

Amelia is probably an angel or a goddess, I've yet to determine which. The single is pretty much perfect early morning cafe music: mellow keys and shimmering chimes against a shuffling, insistent beat, intertwining with Meath’s warm, melancholy voice, building to a subdued crescendo with her refrain “get up, get down”.

The song’s wistful tone is perfectly captured in the lines
“Wild winter, warm coffee, mom’s gone, do you love me?
blazing summer, cold coffee, baby’s gone, do you love me?”

Firehorse: If You Don't Want To Be Alone

Firehorse is a project by Leah Siegel. The band includes Steve Elliot on guitar, Tim Luntzel on bass, and Brian Wolfe on drums.

"I'll build you a house
In the oak tree outside
You can come by
Whenever you'd like

Don't be frightened
I'll set you up right
Cause everyone needs
Somebody sometime"

Blackmill featuring Veela: Let It Be

Blackmill is a native of Highlands, Scotland who produces melodic dubstep. Veela is a 17 year old focused on electropop hooks and dance rhythms. Their collaboration produced a chilled out track with deep bass, high melodies and a far out feel.

Say Lou Lou: Better In the Dark

Say Lou Lou is what twins Elektra and Miranda Kilbey are better known as, though they've been steeped in music since conception, as their father is The Church's Steve Kilbey.

"It feels better in the dark
I feel closer to your heart and nothing can come between us."

Daughter: Youth

Daughter (Elena Tonra) is from North London, UK. Tonra's voice and lyrics are lofty and something that you'd imagine bouncing from cathedral rafters. 

Rosie and Me: Come Back

Rosanne Machado accidentally started a viral sensation when she released her homemade songs on the internet. Her crisp, clean sound resulted the song "Darkest Horse" being featured on the season finale of OTH, Season 8. The sensation spread into an invitation to perform at SXSW 2012, and she has since been a wildfire across the world, originating in Curitiba, Southern Brazil, using the accelerants of pop-country tunes and heart-filled lyrics to blaze across everyone's hearts and ears. 

Giselle: Silk

Giselle is a native of Sydney who is classically-trained; her music feeds off of classical piano and a passion for exotic instruments. The conglomerate consists of electronic, folk, and dream pop. The use of electronics allows her to paint canvases with organic sounds and pastels comprised of her smooth, child-like voice. Also, if you've heard "Crave You" by Flight Facilities...guess who provided some vocals?! This gal. 

Phaeleh (featuring Soundmouse): Afterglow

Afterglow is a collaboration between Bristol-based Soundmouse and Phaeleh, with Soundmouse providing vocals and Phaeleh throwing some chill electronics in the background, which results in a rather smooth mellow track. 

CHVRCHES: Now Is Not The Time

Chvrches (which is pronounced churches) is a Scottish electronic band residing in Glasgow who have some serious talent backed up by some serious brains and careers. The vocals and sometimes-synths are done by Lauren Mayberry, who has a Bachelor's in law and a Master's in Journalism; Iain Cook, the guitarist, bassist, sometimes-synths and sometimes-vocals, was with two other bands, as well as a passion for film/television, while the synths, sampler and sometimes-vocals Martin Doherty was a member of another band prior. The two male members were long-time friends, and this project started because of that. Mayberry was known to Cook from her days in Blue Sky Archives and suggested she be vocals for them. Their influences are a bit like the Cocteau Twins, MJ, Depeche Mode and perhaps more.

"Nothing now can ever come between us
As we hide and watch the city burn
There is much that I still want to tell you
But now is not the time to speak of love."

Florence + the Machine: Heavy In Your Arms

Florence and the Machine are absolutely delicious, with their heavy indie feel and Florence's RIDICULOUSLY good voice.

"And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand?
Protecting both your heart and mine?"

Lucy Rose: Middle of the Bed

I had the pleasure of seeing this gal with City & Colour in Nashville last night! Her voice is stellar (her stage presence paled in comparison with Dallas', but come on, she'll grow into it) and her lyrics are spectacular. Lucy Rose (Parton) is a rising British folk singer with a serious set of pipes. She released her first album in September 2012, and has since toured with Bombay Bicycle Club, Noah and the Whale and City & Colour. I can't wait until more people find out how awesome she really is, with her hauntingly melodic vocals and her telling lyrics!

Hem: Half Acre

Hem is an American folk group from Brooklyn, New York with heavy roots in Bluegrass, Traditional Shaker, Jazz, American Folk Music, Gospel, and even classical! Hem is really not label-able, as they fit in so many areas of music, making them suitable for several audiences and settings.

Half Acre is really no exception.
"I am holding half an acre
Torn from the map of Michigan
And folded in this scrap of paper,
is a land I grew in."

Agnes Obel: Riverside

The harmony between the piano and Danish Agnes Obel's voice is grand (like the piano). More and more I'm falling in love with the Scandinavian countries. The riverside is a special place, for me and for many others, I'd hope. This song is simply about what makes the riverside special to her and she's inviting you (yes, you) to accompany her there.

"Down by the river by the boats,
Where everybody goes to be alone
Where you won't see any rising sun
Down to the river we will run"

4 Strings: Take Me Away

SO MUCH DANCE; 4 Strings is a nice dance compiler, with some really nice vocals. Recently, they've taken quite a turn from this, but still remain in the realm of dance.

"Take me away from here, a million miles away from here."

A Fine Frenzy: Almost Lover

A Fine Frenzy is an American based out of Los Angeles, California helmed by the gorgeous Alison Sudol. Her voice and her skill on the piano are something out of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Her song, Almost Lover, hypnotizes and breaks hearts constantly, with strong somatic ties to memory.

"So you're gone and I'm haunted,
and I bet you are just fine.
Did I make it that easy to walk right in and out of my life?"

Sometimes it's what didn't happen the hurts the worst.

Beach House: New Year

Beach House is an American (Maryland) dream pop group that achieved fame rapidly in 2006; since they've free-lancely collaborated with groups such as Grizzly Bear. The group is known for the languid qualities that their music possesses.


Shout out to Kaitlyn Swaggert for being the best bartender ever; birthday music.

Brandi Carlile: Turpentine

Brandi Carlile is a hold-over from an age long gone, with a voice to prove it. Her sound is technically wrong but emotionally right, in her own words, and I agree.



"And memories like spies
the salt betrays my eyes again
I started losing sleep and gaining weight
And wishing I was was ten again
So I could be your friend again

These days we go to waste like wine
That's turned to turpentine"

London Grammar: Hey Now

London Grammar's vocalist Hannah Reid has a sultry set of pipes, and combined with a minimalist background...you've got serious magic! Check out the up-and-coming group, with their hit debut fresh out of the box!

Metric: Satellite Mind

Canada puts out a lot of things--maple syrup, crude petroleum, beavers, Beibers--but not everything from Canada is bad. For example: Metric, a new age/indie-rock group from Toronto. This song is absolutely addictive!

"I'm sending vibrations in your direction."

Kendl Winter: Shades of Green

Just listen to this gorgeous little song.