Acoustic

(Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Dashboard Confession)

The New Mystikal Troubadours: Second Spring

Made up of duo, Dave Gibson and Matt Persinzki; The New Mysitkal Troubadours will help complete your relaxing afternoon with its trippy and soothing folk sound. Second Spring is the second compilation from this Baltimore, Maryland duo.Their first self-titled album was released back in 2009 and garnered a positive response as well. Much like their first, this second album is mostly comprised of weird stringed instruments, trippy vocals and lovely (almost undecipherable) melodies.

The Upstairs: Ku Nobatkan Jadi Fantasi EP

Music is universal. Sometimes you don't need to understand or know a language just to appreciate a song. Take the Indonesian band The Upstairs' debut EP, Ku Nobatkan Jadi Fantasi; just one listen and you'll adore the hipster new wave album even if you have no clue what they're singing about. This album is released under Yes No Wave record and is available for free download under a Creative Commons license. Mixing punk, dance, new wave and plenty of fun, the band released the record in celebration of Jakarta's Independence Day. It served as a present to their fans especially the ones that have been by the band's side since they first started.

Inch Chua: Wallflower

Inch Chua is a talented singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist (yep, she does it all) coming to us straight from Singapore. As an opening act for both Katy Perry & Vampire Weekend, and a first Singapore solo artist to be invited to the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival in Austin, Texas, she has already established herself as a tough act to follow and a musician with a bright future. Her sound stands in the crossroads between early Gwen Stefani and Lisa Loeb, and her little creations will certainly make you sway left and right as you switch between the lovely melodies of Wallflower, the latest full album.

Salvador: Rite of Passage

There's hardly anything about Salvador online but sometimes you don't really need that much information to enjoy the music. Rite of Passage is a one man band headed by Omar Khan. A young acoustic folk pop musician who likes to sing about the quiet things in life. This short record is purely DIY. Omar produced, recorded, wrote the songs and played the instruments, save on percussion which was provided by Raphael Guirguis. The album is a warm, lo-fi acoustic folk record that makes me think of Elliott Smithand a subdued Bright Eyes in certain places. It's perfect for a quiet and relaxing afternoon where all that matters is your thoughts.

Entertainment for the Braindead: Roadkill

Entertainment for the Braindead is a moniker taken on by Julia Kotowski, a one woman band hailing from Cologne, Germany. Roadkill is the 5th full compilation from the singer/songwriter/instrumentalist. Known for her gorgeous folk music, this latest album is no exception. The record was born out of the artists desire to explore a new instrument, particularly the banjo. Playing with sweet reverie, her songs are filled with the beautiful strings of this country style instrument. Julia has been releasing music since 2007. Her first album Hypersomnia along with all her other releases are licensed under a Creative Commons and offered for free.

Paper Tiger: Everyone Here

Paper Tiger is made up of two Dutch guys who have a penchant for creating upbeat, fun, acoustic indie pop songs deserving of a listen. This is the boys debut compilation and it was released under New Zealand netlabel (and home to glorious indie folk pop,) Beep Beep Back The Truck Up! Although the duo, Chris (Regtop) and Témy (Phem), have been friends since they were young; it wasn't until the last several years and after stints in punk as well as indie bands, did they decide to pursue their passion for indie pop with Paper Tiger. Together, they write songs about mundane things in life; accompanying it with gorgeous melodies and sometimes quirky lyrics.

Freeky Cleen: Acoustic Blues Jams

Blues has always had a special place in my heart so when I found this really cool record from Freeky Cleen, it definitely made me smile. Acoustic Blues Jams is a laid back and simple guitar driven blues jam from a one man band. The project began back in 2004 when Ilya Polishchuk and Alex Okhrimenko decided to create their own recording studio, complete with instruments and systems that they created themselves. This was a big challenge but they managed to succeed. After taking the plunge, Ilya recorded a couple of original tracks which would eventually lead to Freeky Cleen's debut record, Infertility, back in 2005.

Horiso: He and other both creatures

He and Other Both Creatures is a solid, electronic jazz compilation that's worth listening to. The man behind this captivating collection is Horiso; a Polish multi-instrumentalist, technician, composer, programmer and in some parts of the record, singer. This 9-track album takes electronic influences, jazz, improv, voice and so many other elements together, mashed them around, to create a breathtaking record. There are certain tracks that make you feel like dancing while other tracks are more meant for a slow and relaxing evening with people you love. Released last September 2011, the album is available as a free download under a Creative Commons license.

Archipelago: Have Here

What started as a post college project has become a full blown musical endeavor for Archipelago founder, Peter Naddeo. Born in the Appalachian trail of Blue Mountain, the singer/songwriter is currently doing double duties for several bands. Most notably, he plays guitar for indie folk pop group, Laura and the Cans. Have Here is the eighth release from the collective. Their ability to change things up is providing a whole new landscape of sound in their compilations; garnering positive results from musicians and fans alike. Some of their previous releases include Teenage Suicide Notes, Paper Trails EP, Hollow Bones EP, and Coasting to name a few.