Millions is the latest project from Randall Sena, a kind of musical mufasa for his hometown, having been in a slew of highly influencial bands to the area, and running his own DIY studio “certain Sparks’, on top of all that he rolls out these sensational lo fi pop gems. What began originally as recordings and writing with local groups like Oso, Tall Tales, and Sparrows Gate, Randall has been honing down on his craft and Millions is the Outcome.

The growing beat scenes have truly influenced a international showcase of acts using samples and warped bass effects for a neck breaking rocking work out session. Acts like Flying Lotus, Tokimonsta, and Knxwledge are all names included in this movement. Gobby is a Boston act tampering in Fat bass lines with ambient textures and arpeggios. The sampling is simply dope from old commercials and television shows to Nicki Minaj, this pseudo turntablism is magic to the imagination. The broken beat tape scene is a amazing showcase of how samples can be used to the fullest. you can check a few of Gobbys tracks below.

Juxtaposition to the recent wave of happy-go-lucky surf-rock bands is the slightly scuzzy and darkly haunting vibe of dark pop. One of the most intriguing to emerge on the scene is The Soft Moon. Although they hail from sunny San Francisco, a dark underground feel in the hallmark of their sound. Tracks like When It’s Over begin with a slow and steady one, two drumbeat and are accompanied by a straightforward guitar hook. The vocals receive a heavy dose of reverb as they blend with shadowy instrumentals. Midway through the track the addition of rising and falling feedback comes in and adds a savage vibe until the track fades out with a medley of noise. The song Phantoms supplies a quicker tempo, with Joy Division influenced instrumentals from the continual steady drumbeat. Vocals jump in and out adding to the frenzied build of guitar feedback.

Italian now L.A. based Dumbo Gets Mad has a delicious vintage sound on their track Eclectic Prawn, which makes sense as they ditched the fancy tools of blogosphere rock in favor for the roots of electro-pop via tape machines and analog synths. The track starts out deceptively soulful with a quick snap of the snare drum and a funky guitar hook that delves into sultry territory with slow moving vocals. Things transform and pickup tempo mid-song with the arrival of a powerhouse tenor and a frenzied electro beat. Just as quick as it began, Eclectic Prawn moves right back into its original sensual vibe. The track continually trades feverish with possessed styling before ending on an explosive note.

The pulsating feel good vibes off these tracks are so sweet to the ears. Cool Chilly waves splashing out of warped tape effects like a long lost vhs playback. The Funk Filled bass lines Fill up the empty spaces and groove us along Casa Del Mirto’s Soundscape Wonderland. Definitely For Fans Of Washed Out, Toro Y Moi, Cfcf, Kavinsky, anything with these retro Vibes of awesomeness. The name mysteriously translates to Myrtle House, not sure if that is part of their vision or not but all in all these tracks are slick and easy going. Audio Nostalgia, Casa Del Mirtos tracks are almost entirely available on band camp, which is convenient enough for those looking for new tracks. These long lost new wave lo fi gems are easy to take in catchy melodic beauties in their own way.

Witch Gardens – Fiesta Texas

Melted Toys – “Lost Connection”

NJ based record label Underwater Peoples has been expanding their talent search with manifest destiny in mind. Having first picked up Denver couple Tennis (now on Fat Possum), the label has fully made it to the West Coast with the addition of synth pop and a dash of Anglophobe trio Melted Toys. The group’s debut EP Washed & Dried will drop February 22. For a peek into their lush sound, check out the video for their song  Come On below, with its up-tempoish mid beat, echoed out vocals, and charming  swirly flow its sure to please.

The multi electronica genre bending act of Laurel Halo is nothing but joyful bliss. These tracks smear lines in the clubs between pulsating Idm and Shoegaze-chill out proving theres no fear in gems. Wobbly bass lines behind shimmering synth leads tinge of all sorts of genres, utilizing Dub, Drum n Bass, and Electro techniques. Check out her video for the track Embassy above, and also her guest vocals on a track from  Games called Strawberry Skies below.

Who could forget the Klaxons? One of the first acts in that huge “Nu Rave” Movement that sweeped over the end of the 2000’s. Along acts like CCS, mgmt, Glass Candy, Late of the Pier, Foals, Crystal Castles, Shit Disco, Etc. You like good dance music? Insatiable Desire to dance? A deep seated love for cat meems. Well drop what your doing and check out the klaxons sophmore release “Surfing the Void”. The albums is a super fun refresh on where they left off, below we got the second single on the album “twin flames”.

This new wave of Proto Industrial Electronic groups popping up is creating a swelling exciting in my loins. now that im done with that, Agent side grinder is a Suicide Esque group tinged with joy divisions gloom. These tracks are soaked in the melancholy guitar hooks that made acts like echo & the bunnymen, kept up with a quick pop drum beat these songs makes them into infectious numbers. Unusually Enough i cannot help but have Tom Waits come to mind when i hear this mans vocals, the power and depth in his bellowing contrasts against spacey far out synth leads.

Brooklyn-based trio, Bear In Heaven unfolds the sonic fabric of genres with their cinematic danceable, drone music in their sophomore LP, Beast Rest Fourth Mouth.  As if in a parallel universe, Bear In Heaven defies gravity by masterfully manipulating prog rock, psychedelica, and Kautrack while somehow maintaining a pop sensibility.  They have been compared to the legendary Genesis and Pink Floyd and to the more contemporary M83 and Animal Collective.

Erleen’s spacey dance pop is meant for the dance club, they need it. Her atmospheric spacey vocals overs the hard house electro beats is a serious headtrip. Audio seduction and enchanting is the key to her aesthetic, and it works. The charisma on the track is enough to make you curious what could bring from her live show. With very catchy dancefloor ready beats straight from the memory banks of Redone, Diplo, And various other quasio electro-hip hop producers, her tracks are prepared for the saturday nite crowd. Her vocals and effects add the character to this songstress, making a effect of a kind of cosmic siren. you can check out her playlist below to get ready for your weekend.

Dreamy prestine melodies across soft electronic waves, Miracles Club is pleasure in audio form. The ghostly melodic vocals create such a eerie euphoric atmosphere. Being one of the many flavorful acts coming from Mexican Summer, their cold shoegazer electro is a breath of fresh air of clean cut production in a noisy ambient enviroment. The tracks are a icy cool journey across the heart strings, these tracks take you a place. They are each a journey in themselves and bring nostalgic memories of young love and adventure. check out one of their videos above.

Ducktails: Hamilton Road

Although Matthew Mondanile makes chilled out relaxing tunes, the dude is anything but lazy. Not only does Mondanile play guitar for psychedelic beach combers Real Estate, he also fronts his own solo project Ducktails in which he takes a more ambient spin on the beach music sound. Under Ducktails, Mondanile has already released two albums, a self-titled one in May 2009 followed a few months later by Landscapes. January 18th will seen the release of his third album Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics just in time to help us get through the remainder of the winter.

Seapony- Dreaming

I’ve always associated Seattle with dreary rain and Black Hole Sun type melodies, but dreamy, surf-pop, happiness perfection Seapony are the lexapro Seattle has been craving. Fronted with sweet female vocals  (think Best Cost (but less fuzzed out) or She & Him (but a little less sickening sweet)) and straightforward rock-pop drums and guitars, Seapony is a warm summer day coming through your speakers (something the Vikings’ Metrodome could probably use right now).

Mexican Summer is pretty good at catching the essence of summer time shenanigans. No Joy is another lo fi noise rock group hell bent on having summer forever. At first listen, No Joy is eerie plucking tiptoeing through walls of noisy summer time rifts. the ghostly feel of both the guitar and the vocals makes the hair on your neck stand up. They just released their first full release on Mexican summer and the tracks are flavorful riffs packed onto beautiful female vocals. Their album Ghost Blonde, is a great ode of production artistry and environmental textures. Currently on tour with fellow Mexican Summer mates Wavves & Best Coast. Be sure this crunchy beach pop trio when they hit your town. you can check out more with one of their videos below

Trust

One of the downsides of living that whole “faux bohemian my apt has a with rat” lifestyle is in the inability to afford heat during this chilly mid-atlantic winter. So thank you New Orleans’ Generationals for bringing some of your southern warmth via my headphones in your charming indie pop. Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer first appeared on the scene back in 2009 with the release of Con Law and they’re back (with the addition of drummer Tess Brunet) with their snazzy new EP Trust and a (free!) five track sample that features three remixes of Con Law’s When They Fight, They Fight.

Transporpirações

Dead 80’s

There Is No God

Cambridge’s CUFFS might hail from Massachusetts, but their sweet melodies and charming lyrics align them more with the British Belle and Sebastian than Boston’s Aerosmith. The indie-pop perfection heard on their just released self-titled demo might make some fans recall the recently deceased Pants Yell!, which makes perfect sense 2/3rds of CUFFS’ delightful quartet are from Pants Yell!. CUFFS‘ share a similarity with the latter in both groups’ penchant for strong vocal melodies, crisp instrumentals, and witty lyrics that are stylishly executed.