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.