Violens - When to Let Go

Its twangy guitars, endless harmonies, and simple-minded lyrics echo The Cure and The Smiths in fresh taste. Unmistakably Violens, hear a snippet of their new track above and get the direct download below.

mp3: Violens - When to Let Go (Direct Download)

Local Natives @La Blogotheque

The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness

Needs no introductions.

mp3: The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness

W-H-I-T-E - Fountain

To flutter in collapse.

mp3: W-H-I-T-E - Fountain

Small Black - Photojournalist

From their debut LP, New Chain.

mp3: Small Black - Photojournalist

mp3: Small Black - Search Party

Toro Y Moi - New Beat

Toro cooks up a grooves Michael Jackson would be proud of.

Update: OK, the official video is up.

Dodos - Black Night

When Time to Die came out in late 2009, it seemed like the hard hitting, aggressive side of Dodos had been endangered, destined for extinction. But that's obviously not the case anymore: "Black Night" is the opener of their new album, No Color, due for March, and it pushes through with the bombastic force we recognize from their earlier efforts. 

James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream

Too soon for more James Blake? Never! "The Wilhelm Scream" is actually from the less-samples-and-more-vocals self titled album, and it's a hypnotizing brain worm.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

After three long years, Fleet Foxes finally return with a new album titled Helplessness Blues. Oh, you're so welcome. They're kind enough to give us the title track for appetizing pleasure: building up with soft ramblin' blues, their signature vocal harmonies surely come crashing in, flooding the scenery. It all ends in with a withering waltz; a class act.   

mp3: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

James Blake - Footnotes

As far as minimalist dubstep music goes, it doesn't get more unintuitive as this structured mess, or more compelling for that matter. Its builds on an unlikely combination of soft, clattering beats and alien talk being tased by paralyzing synths. The track is actually from last year's CMYK EP, but it was compelling to revisit while anticipating James Blake's more soulful self-titled debut album (cover art above), out in February.

mp3: James Blake - Footnotes