UNFOLD//FOLD
by WE//ARE//ANIMAL

WE//ARE//ANIMAL have only been a band since December, 2009. It's remarkable then that they've already self-released an 11-track LP and are slated for festivals in the UK this summer. The North Wales band keeps it simple by recording in slate quarries and abandoned buildings. They are currently unsigned and are giving away a couple of tracks via Soundcloud.

Crushing Limbs
by Anni Rossi

If you were fortunate to see Anni Rossi perform with Pomegranates and Headlights at the Hi-Dive last year, you'd already know what an incredible musician she is. She sings and plays violin, backed by a drummer with a sparse drum kit. She has a new album on the books and 4AD has leaked this gem. This time around, Anni Rossi delves into the electronic side of music, adding additional instrumentation resulting in a pop sound, less evident in previous recordings. Her signature style has been stamped on this track which is nice considering it's what sets her apart from other artists. This track is part of a 4AD summer sampler. You can pick it up on Amazon or the 4AD website.

MP3 Crushing Limbs

Saturday
by Big Fox

Swedesplease, a Swedish music blog, is an excellent resource for all of your Swedish music needs. If you're a regular to the site, you'll notice that I recommend a Swedish artist almost every week. There must be something in the water, because the frequency of quality artists coming out of that Scandinavian country is remarkable. Big Fox is a perfect representation of what Sweden has to offer. Charlotta Perers, the brainchild of Big Fox, sings, performs all of the instruments and produces the tracks by herself. That's pretty impressive. Her self described influences are Feist, Regina Spektor, Frida Hyvönen, Jenny Wilson and Ane Brun. For a free copy of Saturday, head over to Swedesplease.net.

High Road
by Angel Deradoorian

Best known for her contribution to Dirty Projectors, Angel Deradoorian is back in the studio recording some new tracks. She's a Brooklyn based artist that released her first solo album, "Mind Raft" in May of last year. High Road is a track from that album. It's a "Gothed out psych track to do drugs to, or something...." says Angel.

MP3 High Road

Our Scenery
by Gauntlet Hair

I recommended Gauntlet Hair, a Lafayette Colorado band, a few weeks ago. I just heard another incredible track from their soon-to-be-released single via Forest Family Records, and thought I would share it with all of you. I don't see any upcoming shows in Denver for them, probably because they're working on their full length due later this year. Forest Family Records was created by Gorilla Vs. Bear, a music blog based in Austin TX. If you're into chillwave, go check out their site.

MP3 Our Scenery

Good Evening
by The Concretes

Good Evening is a free download via The Concretes Bandcamp website. Ever since lead singer Victoria Bergsman left the band, it was unclear whether The Concretes would survive. The 2007 album, Hey Trouble was an indication that new lead singer and drummer, Lisa Milberg had some work to do. Then this track breaks on the scene and it sounds as though they've got it all together. Good Evening is a solid track and I look forward to the full-length titled WYWH, due out in October.

MP3 Good Evening

Lights
by Interpol

The band recently unleashed a new track via their website. It sounds a lot like older, better Interpol. Lead singer, Paul Banks recently put out a solo album under the name Julian Plenti, which was pretty good. It wasn't long before he was back in the studio working on the next Interpol album. The band hasn't released any additional information concerning dates or album details, but if the rest of the album follows Lights, it'll be a good one.

MP3 Lights

Overtime (Roar Terror remix)
by Wild Palms

The london group were all in different bands more than a year ago. As part of a studio experiment, the members began to collaborate more and more, eventually letting their other bands fall by the wayside. Each member is self taught and they built their own studio. This allows them the time to really finesse the crap out of every track. The Roar Terror Remix removes any similarities to Art Brut and replaces it with dance-club inspired bleeps and bloops. The track reminds me of an English Sci-fi movie, where the special effects aren't even trying to be realistic.

Holiday
by Montauk

In most situations, a track described as a pop tune with one lyric repeated throughout the entire song, would be the last track I recommended on the newsletter. The Swedish duo known as Montauk have somehow managed to make the song so catchy that I couldn't resist. I actually like the repetition, which somehow feels comforting. The piano ties the song together throughout. Holiday would be a great fit for a movie soundtrack.

MP3 Holiday

We Share Our Mothers Health
(Ratatat remix)
by The Knife

This track has been around for quite a while, in fact it was released in 2006. I had never heard the Ratatat version of We Share Our Mother's Health until this past week. Needless to say, I really enjoyed it. Those Ratatat guitars are hard to mistake.

MP3 We Share Our Mothers Health

Drugs
by Ratatat

LP4, the latest audio assault from Ratatat is due out in June. Until then, they've offered up a couple of tracks to wet our appetites. Some say that LP4 was recorded at the same time as LP3. I can't confirm that, but LP4 is a definite departure from previous recordings. They like to make music so that you can't tell how every sounds was created. I think it would be great to get Ratatat and Kings Of Convenience in a room together to make some music. I can hear Erlend Øye easily singing over these tracks. How do we make that happen?

MP3 Drugs

Tonight (Coyote Clean Up Dirty Dub)
by The Big Pink

To celebrate the release of Tonight, a brand new single from the year-end-list topping group, 4AD is offering up a free bundle download of a series of remixes. My favorite so far is the Coyote Clean up version.

MP3 Tonight

I'm Gonna Try
by Shimmering Stars

I'm not one to listen to lyrics, but "I'm Gonna Try" is pretty funny. It starts with, "Walking down the street and I wanna kill everyone I see. How come I don't like anyone that I meet?" Those aren't the lyrics you hear everyday. The '50s instrumentation isn't groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination, but for once the lyrics are the reason I recommended a song on the newsletter.

MP3 I'm Gonna Try