Dum Dum Girls: Jail La La

New Sub Pop sweetheart, Dum Dum Girls (who is actually only one girl named Dee Dee) has been hard at work releasing material for her new label. I don't blame her though. Although she surpasses other female fuzz groups by being the sole songwriter and front woman, she will need to give us great material to stop us comparing her to lo-fi pop trio, Vivian Girls.

After releasing a sold out EP, Dum Dum Girls (girl) may have done it with her new single, "Jail La La." Infectious melodies carry this tune out of the the reverb and the harmonies are an impressive touch. Nice job, Dee Dee.

Dum Dum Girls' debut full-length, I Will Be, is slated for release on March 30 via Sub Pop Records. "Jail La La" will also be available as a 7" single with accompanying song, "Play With Fire," which comes out February 16.

Take a listen to what she's got to offer below!

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Air Music Video: So Light Is Her Footfall

French duo, Air, will never go out of style with their experimental and hazy electronic music. There genius of themes in regards to songwriting always offers a beautiful insight turning simple day to day happenings into in-depth philosophy.

Their latest video for their track, "So Light Is Her Footfall," is simple and classy with a hint of intrigue. What else would this pair bring us?

The track is off of their latest album, Love 2. Watch the video below!

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Tycho: Coastal Brake

Tycho, the music project of San Francisco based and producer, Scott Hansen has been around much longer than similar artists in the chillwave genre such as Washed Out, Memory Tapes, or Toro Y Moi.

Coming off more a bit more original in regards to clean and fresh electronica, Hansen has been releasing music since 2002. He is currently signed to Ghostly International and recently released the single, "Coastal Brake," in anticipation of his long-awaited upcoming full-length.

"Coastal Brake" exhibits what Hansen does best. Swirling beats glide effortlessly though riffs and melodies making it a very tonic listen. The artwork also features a female figure coming out of the water for a matching cooling aesthetic.

Take a listen to Tycho's latest below!

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Best Coast: Something in the Way

It was a sad day for many when Bethany Cosentino left her group Pocahaunted which she put together with Amanda Brown, but when Consentino continued to team up with Bobb Bruno and give us new material under the moniker, Best Coast, we couldn't stay unhappy.

Pocahaunted still goes on with Brown fronting a group of musicians in a different line up, but Consentino has shown some wow factor as Best Coast. Songs like "When I'm With You," which made my Top 50 Songs of 2009, exudes rich lo-fi surf pop melodies. Don't just focus on the cuteness of her voice, but also the incredibly catchy melodies she's busting out.

Consentino is now releasing the single, "Something in the Way," as a 7" with the title track along with songs, "Wish He Was You" and "The Road." The single is being put out by PPM, the label which No Age's Dean Spunt currently runs.

Listen to a version which was released last year below and grab an mp3 of "When I'm With You" as well!

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Dirty Projectors: Ascending Melody

It seems the indie music critics have divided when it comes to Dirty Projectors. Although they may seem a little pretentious at times to people, it really comes down to the music. I, for one, am a fan of Dave Longstreth's injections of experimental rock and the sweet harmonies from the ladies in this group.

I'm not ashamed to say that "Stillness Is the Move" made my Top 50 Songs of 2009 and that their album, Bitte Orca, made my Top 40 Albums of 2009 as well. I was lucky enough to see this group on Halloween and although I was a bit too close to the speakers, they're just as great live. There is some wild musicianship going on within this six-piece group, and I commend them for taking risks. Solange didn't seem to mind.

They're recently released a new 7" single which provides "Ascending Melody" on a-side and "Emblem of the World" on the b-side which didn't make the cut for Bitte Orca. You can go to their website and get your free downloads of you can just get them here after the jump. Yes, these are actually electronic files, but the single is also available as limited vinyl exclusively via Domino Records.

Enjoy these two new songs from Dirty Projectors whether you really like them or they're just a guilty pleasure.

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Michael Jackson + Telepopmusik: Remember The Time (DJ Sleeper Mashup)

Telepopmusik has been on of my favorite electronic pop acts ever since they came out with Genetic World. Their brilliant idea of teaming up with vocalist Angela McCluskey has always been favorable in my book, and their song "Breathe" will continue to be one of my favorite collaborations of all time. McCluskey's effortless and jazz undertones offer a cool breeze which ultimately makes it the perfect down tempo and trip-hop listen.

Recently, I discovered a mash up by DJ Sleeper which combines "Breathe" with Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time." Although it's hard to imagine how the king of pop's grunts and yelps meld with the relaxing Telepopmusik song, it seems to really work in this remix.

Jackson's death was a tragedy and many are still finding the urge to get over one of pop music's biggest losses of 2009, but what better way is there to honor a great artist from the past than listening to some of his greatest hits?

Take a listen to DJ Sleeper's mash up of "Remember the Time" and "Breathe" and relax for a bit.

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Vanaprasta: Something Better

Five-piece band, Vanaprasta, have steadily been making a name for themselves in Los Angeles and they're well on their way to releasing their debut album, Healthy Geometry. However, just before unveiling the entire batch, they were smart enough to pluck a few songs out and provide the EP, Forming the Shapes.

Even after one listen, all I can say is wow; there is some major substance here. "Color of Sin" offers a rich folk-rock vibe with thick harmonies while "Healthy Geometry" is flirty with each incoming measure. However, "Something Better" is what really coaxed my senses and made me hit the rewind button. I had to give my ears another chance to dive into the intricate guitar licks and coy melodies that unequivocally united.

Take a listen to "Something Better" below and grab the mp3 if you're so inclined.

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VOICEsVOICEs: Tidal

How To Fight Records, which I've previously mentioned in the Meho Plaza post, has recently put out what they call Animal Battle Series. In Animal Battles Series Vol.1, bands record a 7" on side A under their name and on side B under a pseudonym.

In this case, VOICEsVOICEs (who is currently on LA Record's cover) has contributed to the series with "Tidal" on side A and "In Armies" on side B. If anyone else has picked this record up, make sure they know that Gold Ether is actually VOICEsVOICEs.

True fans of VOICEsVOICEs may have already guessed that though because "In Armies" doesn't run too far from their haunting sounds. There is a force that these ladies provide in their music making the listener feel as if he or she is experiencing astral-projection.

I have "Tidal" for you below but if you want to hear "In Armies" which has a faster beat I recommend picking the record up. The ethereal "Tidal" should be enough enticement.

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Animal Collective Music Video: Brothersport

Animal Collective released an album last year so fantastic that it earned the #3 spot in my Top 40 Albums of 2009. It was a bit more accessible than their previous albums but it did the job because there were so many great songs in that collection. A few that come to mind are "My Girls," "Bluish"and of course the track that accompanies this video below.

"Brothersport" has a sound that is jungle and "native" like and it doesn't surprise me to see that the video has two little kids dressed to fit the song's tone. However, I didn't expect the video to be more trippy than their last video.

It's over six minutes long, but its plunge into a hallucinogenic world makes it hard to turn away. Humans, animals, monsters - you name it. This video has it all. Animal Collective's videos have always been impressive and this one doesn't disappoint.

Watch it below. It's like taking acid.

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Islands Music Video: No You Don't

Oh, Michael Cera. You will always be the perfect self-conscious and unsure geek. Cera has been entertaining ever since the world got a taste of him as George Michael in Arrested Development - way before Superbad and Juno. However, we all know what's going to happen. He'll be type-cast forever. His latest film, Youth In Revolt, may entice some with his "bad side," but honestly it's just creepy. (I'm not too fond of that "mustache" he sports in the trailer.)

However, he is entertaining in this Islands music video for "No You Don't." Who knew Mikey Cera would be able to play someone on drugs so well? You almost pity him in this video as he runs around lost and almost starts to cry from his queasiness. Watch his hand give off psychedelic colors and Island's frontman, Nicholas Thorburn, wear a mysterious but metallic cape.

Enjoy Michael Cera on drugs below!

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The Album Leaf: Falling From The Sun

It's been a while since Jimmy LaValle released anything. Recording under the moniker, The Album Leaf, the last collection of songs he put out was the album, Into the Blue Again, in 2006. Now's he back with his fifth studio album, A Chorus of Storytellers.

The album title is an appropriate one since he's incorporated his live band into the songwriting process this time around. The latest single, "Falling From The Sun," is a gorgeous listen with soft beats and more harmonies than I'm used to hearing from his work. It's minimal enough but also echos beautifully showcasing his great musical talents once again.

A Chorus of Storytellers will officially be released via Sub Pop on February 2nd. Make sure to pick a copy up when it's released. Another great track is "Blank Pages."

Take a listen to "Falling From The Sun" below and grab the mp3.

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Meho Plaza: Impossible

Three-piece band, Meho Plaza, have kept it on the down low for the most part with two EP releases and one full-length. However, that doesn't mean the songs on these releases lack credible musicianship. If anything, what these EPs lack are more songs.

Meho Plaza, fronted by the talented Mike Thrasher, is mouth-watering feast of punk and electronica. Appropriate for Thrasher's name, there is plenty of heavy and staccato distortion to thrash around with but there are also hidden pockets of electronica elements that bring out the melodies.

Some bands choose dive into only one element for their genre and then there are some that try to mash various elements together. Fortunately for Meho Plaza, they can successfully do it without making their sound like a mess.

Crashes, screeching, and manipulations of a Casio keyboard come together exceptionally great on their latest EP, Made of Gold, which has recently been released on How To Fight Records in November. Although the title track is fantastic, the gem that caught my ear first was the track, "Impossible."

Take a listen below and grab the mp3!

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Warpaint Music Video: Elephants

If you're a BeatCrave reader, you may already be familiar with Los Angeles-based shoegaze band, Warpaint. I got the chance to interview them for the Know Your LA Bands series after seeing them numerous times. Every show of theirs is a performance I've been lucky enough to experience.

Shoegaze is a tough genre these days. The indie music scene is very generous to shoegaze but it is also hard to pull in listeners who are not familiar with the genre. The only easy way to do that is to be unbelievably amazing at it and Warpaint does exactly that.

With three gorgeous females and one fella (who has dressed up like a girl to fit in before) who make up the band, Warpaint is not only aesthetically beautiful but their music is as enticing as their looks. This isn't just one girl band trying to be a shoegaze band because it's the only genre that will give them credibility in the scene. Warpaint is undoubtedly making some of the best shoegaze music out in LA if not the entire indie scene.

Recently signed to Rough Trade Records, the rest of the world got to see a bit of the band with their "Stars" video posted on Pitchfork, but they've released Exquisite Corpse much earlier than that through Manimal Vinyl (who are amazing people, might I add).

This new video for "Elephants" (which is one of their most outstanding tracks) makes it look like the girls are shot in slow motion with the breeze that makes their hair blow under the spotlight. However, this is really how the band looks. There are no enhancements, no gimmicks, no flashy sets in this mesmerizing video. It's just these three girls and one guy nonchalantly rocking out and making you drool at the same time.

Check the video out below!

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Besnard Lakes: Albatross

Apparently, Montreal, Quebec-based indie band, Besnard Lakes, are no longer the Dark Horse. They are set to surface the music scene again on March 9, 2010 with their upcoming and third studio album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night via Jagjaguar.

Known for a being a band who creates dramatic atmospheres within the shoegaze genre, their new single, "Albatross," doesn't stray too far from their signature sound. Sweet dreamy vocals from Olga Goreas float on top of the steady distortion and soft touches of percussion that exponentially grow into cathartic crashes makes this song a great listen. The very last line is also thought-provoking as she sings, "There goes my dad."

There are plenty of husband-wife partnerships within bands today. Just think of Arcade Fire and Handsome Furs. However, not all can be successful at it. I have a feeling that the Roaring Night is just a term of foreshadow for how great the rest of this album can be.

Take a listen to "Albatross" below and download away if you wish.

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