I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (Arctic Monkeys Cover)

I used to post covers on Fridays. I should do that again. Let's start with this wonderful take on this Arctic Monkey's favorite. Follow Jen Bloom on Twitter at @jen_bloom.
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor (Arctic Monkeys Cover) by Jen Bloom

Animal Kingdom Single "Strange Attractor"

North London's Animal Kingdom are gearing up for the release of their as-yet-untitled LP with the release of a free Black Fethers remix for the album's lead single, "Strange Attractor." The remix is available for download via Soundcloud.
Strange Attractor (Black Fethers Remix) by ANIMAL KINGDOM
I love the original version:
Strange Attractor by ANIMAL KINGDOM

MNDR: #1 In Heaven

I see that RCRD LBL has a new remix of "#1 In Heaven" by MNDR. I think I prefer the original:
MNDR - #1 In Heaven by ultrarecords

New single from Swedish duo This Vision: "20th Century"

I love this track by This Vision. I have been playing "20th Century" on turntable.fm for few weeks. The band contacted me, so I am happy to pass along this sunny track to you. You watch the video here and download the track from Soundcloud.
About This Vision: The two men behind This Vision, singer Marcus Lantz and synthesizer player/programmer Christian Liedholm Hartmann, have known each other since their early teens, growing up on the same street in a suburban town outside Helsingborg in southern Sweden. They had both been playing music for several years when they first started playing together. Marcus was 17, and Christian 16 years old at the time. In the seven years that followed they played various kinds of rock and pop together in different bands but it wasn’t until 2005 that they first started to experiment with synthesizers and a more electronic sound under the name This Vision.

Starting out, the duo knew little about in which direction they were heading for with their music. Everything was composed and conceived during the recording stage. Even though this made the process very long, This Vision’s first EP was released in 2007.

Garbage - Not Your Kind Of People

The first new Garbage album in 7 years, "Not Your Kind of People" will be out everywhere May 15 on the band’s STUNVOLUME record label. There will be a standard and deluxe version. The new single “Blood for Poppies” is available for free at the Garbage site.

Vadoinmessico - Cave

A video shot by my talented friend and DJ, Gabriel Allen Gallant (Narco on Turntable.fm).

Twin Shadow Remixes Neon Indian

On first play, it sounds like two songs are playing at once (what the hex wrong with me?)... still, I do love Twin Shadow and Neon Indian has grown on me.

Solander from Sweden

Sweden's Solander will be in my hometown later this month after SXSW. Here's a great example of their sound. I love the cello (?).

It's A Synth

Copenhagen-based electro pop/synth rock duo It's A Synth will certainly appeal to readers of this blog. Their bio states they come from a grunge/indie/punk rock background and blend the melodies and the energy from these genres with electro pop/synth rock to create big exciting four-minute floor fillers and epic evolving soundscapes, all filled with Scandinavian dark mood... no guitars are allowed.
I find them to be very catchy, and I want to more than the three great tracks I have heard. I am on a Denmark music trip, having recently watched Borgen, Den som dræber and both the American and Danish versions of The Killing (Forbrydelsen).

It's a Synth - Steps by It's a Synth

Two more tracks are available on SoundCloud. Find the band on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube.

Passion and Headaches

Charlie Big Time says "We felt this song would close the new ep nicely." I have to agree. I am reminded of Pale Saints here, and it just so happens, I have a headache at the moment. Down to my last Vicodin to boot.

Passion and headaches by charlie big time

Scandinavian Dream Pop: Paperfangs

Gave this one a listen all the way through (thanks to It's A Trap!) and I thought my readers may enjoy the soft beats and a voice that sounds a little like Erlend Øye. Finnish in origin, Paperfangs deliver a pleasant balance of synth and guitar. Their ep, titled AAVVAV is out now as a digital download. On March 26th, a limited edition cassette will be available with the exclusive track "A Lost Interview".

Better Off Without You

Just found this live version of "Better Off Without You" by Summer Camp. Damn, that girl can sing.

Pontoons are back after 15 years

Following a 15-year hiatus, the American indie-pop band Pontoons released its new single “Antidote”. Featuring a distinct, ultra-catchy guitar hook, “Antidote” is a well-deserved follow-up to the band’s early work, including its debut single "Juncos and Robins,” which was hailed in Billboard magazine’s November 1994 review as “one of the best indie debuts of the year.”
Originally a three-piece, Pontoons are now a duo, made up of singer/guitarist Tom Hunt and drummer Christian Harper.  After meeting up in New York City in 2010 and deciding to work together again, the two spent most of the next two years fine-tuning a selection of new recordings.  They then enlisted old friend and recording engineer, Sal Mormando (Patti Smith, Richard Lloyd) to mix the new single.  “Antidote” is the first of ten tracks that will comprise a new full-length album slated for release later this year.  You can find the new single by visiting their Bandcamp page.

Beach House "Myth"

This beauty is showing up on a lot of blogs, but I feel the need to share it here. It's shimmering, soaring and it twinkles. Did I just use "twinkles"? I heard this for the 2nd time today, a small distance from my studio and I thought I had queued up a Pains of Being Pure at Heart track. This new Beach House track will appear on the new album "Bloom" (Sub Pop) on May 15.

SULK

Wish I was in the UK so I could catch SULK at one of their March tour gigs. *sulks* One commenter summed it up well: "Stone Roses + The Verve with Liam Gallagher Attitude = SULK. Best thing heard since ages."
15th March – Sheffield, The Leadmill
16th March - Manchester, FAC251
17th March - Liverpool, The Magnet
30th March - Dunfermline, PJ Molloys
31st March - Glasgow, Chambre 69
Tickets can be bought via This Feeling’s website – www.thisfeeling.co.uk.

"Back In Bloom" is now available. The single, which also includes the B-side "A Photograph Of You", is available on 7″ vinyl and as digital download via their shop.

A New Blog Is Born

The Mixtape Quandary features FREE music compiled from the web and lumped into short mixtapes for your listening pleasure.
The editor, G. A. Gallant (previously known as DJ Narcolept) is the creator of the former mutli-show podcast, Faction-6. He states: "I have once again found the need to share music with the masses."
The first mixtape available for free download: Lost In Winter (2012)

Charlie Big Time: "The Liberation of Love"

With vocals by Beth Arzy (Trembling Blue Stars). Lovely, gentle indie pop. I really like this act and recommend the track "Soulglad" in addition to this one.
the liberation of love by charlie big time

Johnny Marr appears on Portlandia

Johnny Marr did a bit on last week's Portlandia on IFC. I loved his annoyed but polite look.

Test Drive: School Of Seven Bells and Fanfarlo

Test driving the new School Of Seven Bells "Ghostory" (on Vagrant Records/Ghostly International) as well as Fanfarlo's "Rooms Filled With Light" (on Canvasback) this weekend. I figure they'll be a good pairing on shuffle.

Excited about: Sea Of Vapours "How To Love"

The talented multi-genre artist, Collin C. aka Slighter just posted the brilliant debut single from his new project "Sea of Vapours". Stop reading this immediately and press play! The single features Chris Carter and the warm guitar of John Girgus (Aberdeen, Languis, Non Ultra Joy). Follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.

How To Love (feat. Chris Carter) by Sea of Vapours

The B-side kicks ass:
Washed Out Heart by Sea of Vapours

Stripmall Architecture: Live Video of "We Are Not Cool"

Stripmall Architecture announced that the first single from the upcoming album is available right now on beautiful clear vinyl 7" as well as digitally (via iTunes, Spotify and all other digital outlets). "We Are Not Cool" and "Dusk Drinks" were mixed by John Fryer (Depeche Mode /Cocteau Twins/ Wire) and mastered at legendary Abbey Road Studios. The vinyl, which comes with immediate digital download can be ordered right here.
The band recently recorded a live performance of "We Are Not Cool" (the name reminds me of WOLY (We Only Love You)) as part of their first Nite Session, a series of videos they'll be releasing over the following months. Watch it below:

Stripmall Architecture | We Are Not Cool (Nite Session 01) from Stripmall Architecture on Vimeo.

Rebecca Coseboom | Vocals
Ryan Coseboom | Synthesizers
Erica Mulkey | Cello, Backing Vocals