Big Scary.

Big Scary are Tom Lansek & Jo Syme, a humble pairing of talented songwriters who are responsible for the most brooding yet uplifting self analytical music release of the year. "Not Art" is possibly the most interesting way to introduce your album to the world. They may as well have called their second LP "Not Music" and just waited for the confused looks and poor record sales. But art is exactly what it is and I have a feeling that they know that. The whole album is both lyrically and thematically incredibly honest but somehow exists under a title of pure dishonesty. But that is the beauty of this release. It is incredibly self ware of its place within the wider music scene - especially the indie scene that is fixated on being considered 'artistic'. 

Not Art is a more refined Big Scary sound that is still genre-dabbling without feeling like they're still unsure of their sound. There are so many highlights off the album, 'Why Hip Hop Sucks in '13' is a great beat-driven hybrid that gives a direct nod to 90's Hip Hop genius DJ Shadow,'Harmony Sometimes' is a chamber soul song that showcases the pair immense skill for song craft and 'Belgian Blues' is a Jeff Buckley-esque moody track that is the loudest you'll hear the guitars get on the album, but here's 'Twin Rivers' a beautiful floaty piano song that speaks to our inner introvert that would rather just stay at home and listen to music.

Parquet Courts.

There is something about the punk rock formula that allows guitarists to push through the impending arthritis and slam down a crunchy chord on high rotation without it becoming simply boring. What ends up happening is that it creates a platform for the repetitious guitar riff and direct rhythm section to sit back and cruise while the subtle vocal inflections and performative flare shine through and grab the limelight with each passing verse. With Brooklyn post-punk band Parquet Courts,  the limelight is on everything; the hooks are catchy, the lyrics are personable, the instrumentation is creative (keep and ear out for the recorder solo in this song), and the vibe is no bullshit. 'You've Got Me Wondering Now' is the latest single from the guys and it is an honest stab at how shitty your significant other can make you feel. And the lyrics are a good fun read, check them out on their Soundcloud.

Darkside.

With Nicholas Jaar's 2010 record - Space Is Only Noise, we were smacked across the lips with what ambient electronic music could be; a minimalist yet groove-laden deep and spacious sound with an unrivalled crisp-ness. Two years on Jaar teams up with guitarist Dave Harrington for the project they labelled 'Darkside'. It could be speculation, but we like to think that they chose the name as a direct homage to the album that invented space rock. But don't expect to hear rock on their debut LP Psychic, the album is about as definable as the concept - but it's damn good. Who would of thought Harrington's blues guitar licks would sound like a ear full of warm caramel up against Jaar's deep echoey drawl. The two are perfectly mingled - a concept that on paper shouldn't sounds as sonically pleasing but it is a credit to the precise production and complex arrangement of these songs that makes Psychic an incredible piece of music. 'Paper Trails' is the most easily digestible upon first listen of the whole album but if you want more of that spacious ambient funk but don't want to dive into the whole dark abyss of this album head first (although we'd suggest that you're seriously depriving yourself) give 'The Only Shrine Iv'e Seen' a listen next.

Shining Bird.

Leisure Coast is not only the title of Shining Bird's debut album, but an overriding sentiment; a reflection of their unrivalled patriotism to the the stretch of coastline they call home in the New South Wales South coast of Australia. Their music seems to pay homage to the land and culture that brought them up with many nods given to the 1980's Australian music scene and even its television culture. The film clip for "Distant Dreaming" is an absolute throwback which induces an overload of nostalgia - but a very comforting reference to those who fit within its demographic. It is also the single off the recently released album which inundates you with these vibrant floating atmospheres that take you elsewhere -where you'd rather be - the Leisure Coast.

Beck.

Beck has always been praised for his innovations in sound, often being heralded as ahead of his time. Now 43 and 10+ albums deep, Beck is still trying to keep things fresh. He announced the release of an entirely acoustic album sometime this year but before doing so, just to let us know he's still got it, he decided to drop the dramatic single titled 'Defriended.' This track is a darker sound than what he's been churning out over the past few releases, but it still shows off Beck's trademark instrumentation and rhythmic creativity.

Thundercat.

Ladies and Gents the funk is back. Thundercat, bass in hand, continues his genre dabbling transition through various styles, recently sticking on a disco inspired floor filler that Nile Rodgers would surely be tipping his hat to. Stephen Brurner just excites us, his 2011 debut "The Golden Age of Apocalypse" was the first time we were exposed to his brain which revealed more than a few ideas and more than a few killer collaborators. Fellow genius, Steve Ellison AKA Flying Lotus just so happened to be one of those collaborators and their partnership produced some of our favourite tracks from last years "Until the Quiet Comes"but this dream team continues for Thundercat's latest single titled "Oh Sheit it's X". 

Rokwell & Groom.

Perth is one of those little pockets of the world that has a strangely large proportion of cool people living there for its size. Usually you may find a handfull of talented young guitarists with big dreams but perth seems to have a good spattering of talent in all music genres at the moment. Our recent find is Rokwell & Groom, a two part team that features Australia's up and coming art-rock princess Felicity Groom and Diger Rokwell AKA Ash Hosken a producer and instrumentalist who has supported acts such as Bonobo, DJ Krush and Flying Lotus with his creative live shows. This song 'Impossible Alps' is a moody 80's throwback with a modern chill-wave vibe. Groom's ascending, echoing melodies are really well supported by Rokwell's chord progressions on this track. It's something you could have expected from the Eurythmics.

Charles Bradley.

You can hear that Charles Bradley has been a little down on his luck at times. That deep rasp doesn't come without a couple of dry whiskey's accompanied by a few too many cold nights. Soul music may have fallen into a James Brown shaped hole in the last decade but its reinvention will come from those who pour themselves into the music and its themes; fame and popular notoriety is far from Bradley's morning motivators. His second album "Victim Of Love" was released last week and as the title would suggest Bradley tussles with Man's age old nemesis - love.

Born Ruffians.

"Needle", the sneak preview of the new Born Ruffians album begins with a Fleet Foxes-esque interlude as if you'd thought they'd moved on from their signature rompy style and childlike twang, but then - Frontman Luke Lalonde dives head first into one of his catchy-as-all-hell melodies and it is at this very moment that you realise you are not going to get this song out of your head for the rest of the day. The full album is set to release April 16.

Kurt Vile.

You could easily liken Kurt Vile to some of the classic songwriters in music. We think this because he has a sound that seems timeless and effortless because it is so deeply rooted in the past. His acoustic guitar gently compliments his classic vocals like Neil Young did with subtle chord transitions and wandering melodies. "Walking On A Pretty Daze", Vile's third album, comes out April 9 and it'll be a double album full of mellow treats like this song titled 'Never Run Away'.

The Drones.

"I Sea Seaweed", the 4th album from the Australian alternative rock group The Drones, is much like the rest of their releases - full of beautifully crafted and heart-wrenching lyrics, dark, pounding and often incongruent rock riffs but most importantly Gareth Liddiard's raspy vocal melodies. This album is full of quite lengthy ballads, the shortest song [previewed below] clocks in at just over 4 minutes, while the albums curtain call 'Why Write A Letter That You'll Never Send' is a nine minute epic and possible the album's most emotionally charged. Basically if you haven't spent some time with a Drones record you are missing out on quality time with some of the best modern songwriters and interpreters of folk rock music.

Fox + Sui.

Melbourne based duo Andras Fox and Sui Zhen are the architects of a dreamy pop that reminds you of that time when you were 4 foot and curious. Their use of field recordings really compliments a subtle beat and Sui's etherial vocals. They only have an EP out titled "Taboo"but it's amazing and is going cheap on their bandcamp page. If you like I would recommend supporting some talented local artists.

Maxmillion Dunbar.

Dude. What a freakin' fresh sound. We can already tell after less than a handfull of listens that this track titled 'Woo' of Andrew Field-Pickerings's newly released sophomore album "House Of Woo" is going to wet some whistles. Its glistening production quality is a testament to Field-Pickering's hours behind a laptop screen perfecting every single sound on this album. The beats are so crisp and crunchy you could host a party just as an excuse to listen.

Kindness.

Adam Bainbridge is the logical evolution of disco . . and funk . .  and to an extent, house. His style has pushed these genres into a room together and said hey guys lets just see how it sounds. His record "World, You Need A Change Of Mind" was released mid way through last year and it features some vastly interesting and diverse tracks. From the funky slap bass groove 'Doigsong' to the outrageously 80's saxophone triumph in 'That's Alright', but our favourite track is the chillwave melow beat of 'House' which has that bouncy polyrhytmic piano/beat relationship that makes the song just glide on.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Last time we posted about Unknown Mortal Orchestra they didn't even have a photo of themselves on the internet and were reasonably and ironically unknown. What they did have though was a sound original and exciting enough to warrant further attention. Fast forward 2 years and they have a critically acclaimed debut album under their belt and lo-fi sound that is uniquely theirs. This allows UMO to explore all the possible directions within 'their' sound leading to stuff like this r&b throwback titled 'So Good At Being In Trouble'. Stay tuned for their new album due out sometime early next month.

Toro Y Moi.

We feel like we are posting about Toro Y Moi every second month. It's probably because we are though. Chaz Bundick is so prolific he has just released his third full length album in as many years not to mention the EP's he throws out like newspapers. The newest record "Anything in Return" is described by Chaz as a pop-ier album than his signature chillwave predecessors. The criteria he set out for success was whether or not his girlfriend would subconsciously dance to it. Well Chaz, i'm not your girlfriend but i'm dancing. The single 'Say That' is damn groovy and the film clip is subtly hilarious.

Matthew E. White.

He may look like the saviour of the world but gee he's hard to download illegally. Matthew E. White has has this incredible debut album out for some time now and has been hyped like crazy but we haven't been able to get our hands on it, until now. It has been leaked on this little known website called the iTunes Store but you may have to hand over some cashola for it. But how's the music? I hear you ask. Well we've given you the answer - we payed for it, that's how good it is. Every song has incredible soul like he's been approached by the ghosts of James Brown and Jesus Christ and told to make a modern gospel album that preaches "Big Love" and nothing more; and that's what he's done.

Fuzz.

It's been a while since we've bathed in the vibrations of heavy grunge rock and for that we have to thank the indie rock generation who's guitars don't ever seem to make it to the low end. But every so often rock & roll has a prodigy child that says fuck your synth pop here's some distortion. Ty Segall is Jack White without the stylist and he brings rock back to its glory days where you could simply stand and let your mop of hair do the dancing. Aside from his other two projects in Slaughterhouse and White Fence, which both produced stellar albums in 2012, Ty Segall has joined forces with guitarist Charlie Moothart to form Fuzz. The aptly named partnership reminds us of those Kyuss songs that just blows your mind with guitar goodness.

Jim James.

The voice behind some of rock and roll's most alluring songs has announced a solo album due out this February. Without his morning jacket, Jim James has given us a taste of what it might be like to listen to the sound of doves crying. His new song 'A New Life', which should be the single off the upcoming album titled "Regions of Light & Sound of God", is a beautiful track that builds from a brooding but honest ballad to a joyous romp. The song oozes 50's soft rock as if Elvis and Buddy Holly decided to collaborate and grow beards. Take a listen and let it grow.

STRFKR.

Returning back to the airway's this year will be STRFKR, the Portland outfit who we've been watching and waiting to blow up since 2008. Their new album "Miracle Mile" is set to release in February and we are crossing our fingers that the album will get our privates tingling as much as their first self titled release did. It would appear, while 2011's "Reptillians" felt more like the band was trying to be Passion Pit, the first single off the album - 'While I'm Alive', seems to be a return to their more stripped back funky style with a less is more attitude and we are really diggin it.

Matthew Dear.

Matthew Dear has been producing some great dance funk hybrids since the early 2000's but his latest release "Beams" is truly a great collection of fresh jams with more than two influences. The track 'Headcage' is a great example of this as it sounds more like a Mutant Ninja Turtle underground minimalist rave track rather than a funky jam. His deep layered vocals are a delicious platform for melody as heard in the track 'Earthforms' where Dear could easily be confused for a member of Tv On The Radio. But the one that will get stuck in your head is titled 'Ahead of Myself', its soulful mellow tone is beautifully accompanied by a solid beat made up of some interesting samples.