Wild Nothings’ new EP Empty Estate is a whiff of fresh air after the bands two previous album Gemini and Nocturne. This EP stands as a successful, courageous and seemingly effortless step towards a new direction.
This year has already brought a fair share of surprises for music lovers of all kinds, and making sure that he keeps listeners on their toes is Captured Tracks’ resident dream popper Jack Tatum, better known as the mind behind the lush and entrancing sounds of Wild Nothing. With the release of his sophomore album, Nocturne, dating back to last August many thought that it’d be a while before new material would come from Wild Nothing, but then – almost out of nowhere- came the news of Empty Estate, and with that, Tatum had thrown everyone for quite the curve.
“A Dancing Shell” was the first taste of what was to come and even though the track was riddled with Wild Nothing’s trademark, whimsical pop sound, there was a new direction to be found that separated it from what fans might come to expect. Tracks like “Ocean Repeating (Big Eyed Girl)” and “Data World” demonstrate Jack flexing his experimental muscle with deep ’80s grooves and flamboyant atmospheres while “On Guyot” and the closing track “Hachiko” present themselves as vivid works of ambiance.
When speaking of Empty Estate Jack said, “I felt free to try things musically that I would have stifled before,” and this is evidently visible through the release’s duration. It’s unknown whether or not this EP is an indication of the future but regardless, it’ll be marked as another magical entry in Wild Nothing’s perpetually charming world.
Bay Area post-punk outfit Weekend return with an epic new single “Mirror,” off their forthcoming second album entitled “Jinx”. The track is a sweetly haunted pure-rock single, carried by an aching, infectious guitar hook and singer Shaun Durkan groans. Recorded with Monte Vallier (The Soft Moon, Young Prisms, Wax Idols), who helmed the recording of the band’s 2010 debut Sports and 2011′s Red EP, the new album sees the band embracing a higher fidelity of recording without shedding any of the noisy squalor of previous releases, it’s more sonically dynamic and emotive than anything you’ve heard from the band to date.
On its debut album, Curiosity, Portland, Ore.-based Wampire treats listeners to nine tracks of keyboard-induced bliss. The music is loaded with a soft, slightly poppy ambiance and the simple, subtle songwriting harkens back to shoegaze roots and archetypal pop mechanics.
The UK/Basque based Crystal Fighters capture the carefree Southern California spirit perfectly in their newest single “LA Calling,” from their forthcoming sophomore LP, “Cave Rave,” due out May 28th. Crystal Fighters effortlessly combines an eclectic international feel with a feel-good beat to create a track bathed in sunlight that will make you feel on top of the world.
Brooklyn gloom-rock overlords the National are gearing up to release their new album, Trouble Will Find Me, on May 21 via 4AD. After spreading “Sorrow” to the art world on Sunday, the group perhaps decided to get the word out about its new LP in a slightly more positive and cheery way. And what’s the best way to endear yourself to people on the internet? Do an interview on Reddit and then release a video with a small child in it!
“Bed of Dolls” is the new single from Melbourne indie-rock trio Animal Hands, off their debut self-titled EP that was produced by Lindsay Gravina, which is available 
The second taste from Swedish indie-pop group Club 8‘s forthcoming album Above the City, “I’m Not Gonna Grow Old” sees them move away from the darker, italo-disco sounds of previous single “Stop Taking My Time” and more towards straight 70′s disco meets 80′s synth-pop. Lead singer Karolina Komstedt’s delicate, but dignified vocals soar sky-high above Johan Angergård’s focused production, and why shouldn’t they? Throughout the past decade the duo has proven a mastery of a multitude of pop sub-genres and “I’m Not Gonna Grow Old” is no different. Above the City is due out May 21 through one of Sweden’s most reliable indie-pop labels Labrador Records, you can 
Fast-rising indie rock band The 1975 have partnered with HungerTV to debut a stream of their latest single, “Haunt//Bed.” The song, which is taken from the band’s forthcoming offering, is a slick and atmospheric track that sucks you into the ether of the group’s music and asks that you frolic in delight. It’s as intoxicating as music can possibly be. Have a listen below: 
Way Yes’ debut LP, Tog Pebbles has now officially been released. The lead up to this release began three years ago in Columbus, Ohio with the musical collaboration of Glenn D. Davis Sr and Travis M. Hall Sr. This was followed by adding multi-instrumentalist Maxwell N. Lewis Sr, and percussionist Timothy W.H. Horak Sr. The band’s intent is to create feel good music with a dark twist, and it appears that they are very capable of doing so.
Australian electro-pop duo Empire Of The Sun resurfaced to announce their long-awaited second album “Ice on the Dune” would be released on June 16. Weeks later and we finally have the premiere of the duo’s new single “Alive”! The good news is that they didn’t disappoint, “Alive” is a super lush pop jam driven by icy syths and a massive anthemic chorus. I absolutely love it! You can already pre-order the album on iTunes and get “Alive” immediately. Excellent news to start off the week right!
