Summer is usually always a good time for hot, new record releases. This year isn’t any different, with a bunch of new releases coming out in the next few weeks, and months. Speaking of summer, if you haven’t seen the jumbo-sized, and totally dope, Summer Mixtape One – it’s been retweeted, reposted, Stumbled, Facebook’d and so on with over 15,000 views.

The thrashing punk rock duo from Vancouver with the interesting name, Japandroids, have made enough great noise to garner the accolades of mainstream music media and the all-important blogger love over the past year. But what really matters is the millions of rockers and other fans who have turned on to the Japandroids in such a short period of time. For two guys – Brian King on guitar and David Prowse on drums – to accomplish such a magnetic and energized full sound without another one or two band members is part of what makes them so interesting, and respected.

The Vancouver band formed in 2006 while the two were students at the University of Victoria. Over the next few years, their self-released EPs caught on, and in June of last year, the band released their debut LP, Post Nothing, on Polyvinyl Records. It was a huge success and was long-listed for the covented Polaris Music Prize. Fast forward to 2010, the duo announced in February that they would be releasing a number of 7-inch singles (does anyone sense a trend?) throughout the year. The first, “Art Czars” was released in April; in May, the band re-released their out-of-print EPs as a compilation, No Singles.

In addition to “Art Czars”, we really love “Younger Us”, it has a nostalgic pop rock feel of late summer nights at the lake, and is perfect for multiple plays on a summer mixtape. You can pre-order the limited edition clear vinyl 7, of which only 2,500 have been pressed. Each 7″ will contain the A side previously unreleased track, plus a cover song on the B-side. The B-side for “Young Us” is a cover of “Sex and Dying in High Society” by X.”  It should be noted that “Art Czars” sold out before the official release date.  There will be three more 7″ vinyls, and digital downloads, in 2010 as the band continues their nearly non-stop touring. The duo are set to perform at Bonnaroo on Sunday.

“Younger Us” – Japandroids from 7″ – out July 16th

“Art Czars” – Japandroids

Ever since his 2007 release of the now-classic solo debut, Person Pitch, Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox) has been hailed as one of the most creative and talented musicians of the 00′s. In addition to his decade of work with the wildly popular band, Animal Collective, Panda Bear is known for his solo work and collaborations with other musicians.

A couple of weeks ago, the prolific Lennox announced he would be releasing a number of 7″ vinyl singles ahead of a September release of his second solo album, Tomboy. You can preorder the first couple of singles, set to drop on July 13th. The track we have here is a live version of the LP’s title track, so we’re looking really forward to the master studio version.  In related news, Lennox and his wife were blessed with the birth of their first son on June 9th. Congrats Panda Bear family!

“Tomboy” (Live in Belgium) – Panda Bear

“Stick to My Side (Four Tet version)” – Pantha Du Prince featuring Panda Bear

In addition to new songs, Arcade Fire leaked the album art from their Aug. 3 release of 'The Suburbs'

Perhaps the biggest anticipated release this summer for indie rockers will be Arcade Fire‘s third LP, The Suburbs, due to drop in August. The only reason we didn’t feature them before Panda Bear is because we’ve featured AF three times in the past two weeks.

The wildly popular Montreal indie rock band has already leaked two songs from the new LP, one of which is included here. There are also some bootleg Youtube videos of Arcade Fire performing other songs from the LP at a show last weekend.

“The Suburbs” – Arcade Fire

San Diego originated band Wavves have had a tumultous and yet thrilling year. After lead singer and guitarist Nathan William‘s complete freakout and breakdown on stage at the popular Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona last summer – during which a drugged and boozed up Williams attacked the band’s now former drummer, and insulted the crowd, who responded by throwing bottles at the stage – Williams announced he was an “alcoholic” (despite Williams’ own admission that he took ecstasy and Valium before the disaster).

Following the festival, the band canceled a bunch of shows. But things turned around later in the year, including the addition of two band members who retreated from Jay Reatarvd‘s band to join Wavves. (Sadly, Jay Reatard died only a few months later.) Now, Wavves have reformed and are set to release a new album, King of the Beach, in July. Here’s a track from the LP.

“Post Acid” – Wavves from The King of the Beach – out July 13th

The members of the popular Canadian indie band Broken Social Scene are busy folks with numerous collaborations and side projects. One of those is the band Stars, which is comprised of band members from BSS as well. Stars reunited with Tom McFall, the producer of the band’s magnificent 2005 debut, Set Yourself on Fire. When he’s not busy writing, recording or touring with BSS and Stars, founding member Torquil Campbell is doing other things such as appearing on the shows Sex and the City and Law & Order. As a whole, Stars includes among their influences New Order, The Smiths, Brian Wilson, and ironically, Broken Social Scene.

The band also recently recorded a track for American Laundromat Records for the CD for charity compilation, Sing Me To Sleep – Indie Lullabies, released officially in May. We are stoked to announce that three people will be picked to win a limited edition CD of the compilation from ALR, that includes several bonus tracks and a download card for the bonus vinyl Sigur Ros single that is now sold out, plus a Tanya Donelly alt mix of “Moon River”. To enter, just link to this post from Tweeter or Facebook and in the Comments section below provide the link to your post on FB or Twitter. We’ll pick the three winners on June 16th.

“Wasted Daylight” – Stars from The Five Ghosts – June 22nd

“Fixed” - Stars from The Five Ghosts

Bonus: “Making Me Smile” - Dean & Britta from Sing Me To Sleep – Indie Lullabies

Coming Up: 5 Anticipated Summer Releases, Vol. II – Check back to see it later in the week or follow us on Twitter, Facebook or RSS.