Share on Tumblr

The biggest release this week for indie music lovers probably comes down to a battle between Beach House and Best Coast – both of which are male-female duos, and have thematically similar band names. However, their sound and style are totally different.

On their new single, “Myth,” Baltimore daydream pop masters Beach House deliver more of what their loyal fans love – the slow burn of hypnotic songs, containing poignant lyrics delivered by the unmistakably gorgeous vocals of Victoria Legrand, who has one of the most recognizable and beautiful vocals of any female singer anywhere.

As American Songwriter recently wrote of Beach House’s fourth album, Bloom: “There are some bands who get stuck in a rut and keep reproducing the same album over and over again to diminishing returns. There are other bands who are so good at what they do that you wouldn’t really want them to change. Beach House falls into the latter category.” Indeed.

“Myth” – Beach House from Bloom

Next, the Los Angeles indie rock duo Best Coast – who, like Beach House, have built a growing and loyal following – officially released their sophomore album, The Only Place, this week. Despite the two duos’ similarities, the stark contrast is the fact that Best Coast’s songs tend to be uptempo indie pop tracks. Thanks to KEXP and Washington U for providing the tracks.

“The Only Place” – Best Coast from The Only Place

New Single from Duquette Johnston, Plushgun Drops Sophomore, Apollo Ghosts’ New Title Track

The video for Duquette Johnston‘s single “Roll Baby Roll” is a directed by Jason Hamric and features surreal vintage vignettes set to Johnston’s driving boogie and infectious holler-along refrain.

The song “Roll Baby Roll” was featured on the season finale of ABC’s Private Practice early this week. In one fell swoop nearly eight million people heard the song. Even though we dont’ really watch much TV (too much music, man! lol), it’s good that so many shows nowadays feature talented artists who would otherwise not get that level of exposure.

“Roll Baby Roll” – Duquette Johnston and The Rebel Kings, new single for the season finale of Private Practice

Johnston is currently in the studio with producer Armand Margjeka, putting the finishing touches on his new record Rabbit Runs a Destiny, due out later this year.

Brooklyn new wave, synth pop trio Plushgun released its sophomore LP, Me. Me. on Tommy Boy Records this week, three years after their highly praised 2009 debut album, Pins & Panzers. Unfortunately, Me. Me., is only available at this time via iTunes (we use links to Amazon because they’re usually cheaper).

“Wasted Away” – Plushgun from Me.Me

Following Johnston, the band Apollo Ghosts rip it up with an incredibly infectious track that we’ve listened to a number of times. Their new album is called Landmark. Parlovr deliver a terrifically upbeat, and interestingly named, single with “You Only Want It Cause You’re Lonely,” off their latest drop, Kook Soul. The good times continue to roll with the title track from Plushgun‘s new album, Wasted Away. Another terrific single of the week, “Still Left With Me,” by Craft Spells, is definitely one of our favorites for the week, complete with its ’80′s synth pop magic. The new EP, Gallery, is easily one of the top EPs of the spring of 2012.

“Still Left With Me” – Craft Spells from Gallery EP on Captured Tracks
“Still Left With Me” CTRACKSBK

“What Are Your Influences” – Apollo Ghosts from Landmark

“You Only Want It Cause You’re Lonely” – Parlovr from Kook Soul

Great Singles from Black Tambourine, Violens, Carousel, Concubines

Black Tambourine was first suggested to us by a friend in the music events business, and after a few spins of their songs, we were on board; just when you think you’re getting tired of lo-fi indie pop, along comes a band like Black Tambourine. Another band that we started to follow around the same time in 2010 was Violens.

Also, listen to new singles from fresh albums out this week from Carousel, Alexander Tucker, Josephine Foster & The Victor Herrero Band, and Concubines.

“What’s Your Game” – Black Tambourine from OneTwoThreeFour EP on Slumberland Records

“Der Microarc” – Violens from True on Slumberland Records

“Where Do We Go From Here” – Carousel from 27 Rue de Mi’chelle

“Window Sill” – Alexander Tucker from Dr. Dee

“Sangre Colorado” – Josephine Foster & The Victor Herrero Band from Perias via Fire Records

“Darkness” – Concubines from Darkness 7″

Share on Tumblr