Electronic

(Depeche Mode, Orbital, Kraftwerk)

The Arbiters: Wake Up Dragons

The Arbiters create cool indie alternative rock music with a touch of electronica. The recording is slightly raw but filled very intense energy that you could almost feel as if it's bouncing around the walls. The group sings songs in both English and Russian and they borrow elements from other genres other than indie rock. Wake Up Dragons is the first full length debut for the group. They did release a single titled 'Solo" and made it available for sale on both iTunes and Amazon. For this complete compilation, listeners have the option to buy it from the same iTunes, Amazon or simply download it for free right here or on Jamendo. Give this group a listen.

Phrenia

Phrenia is a Japanese pop singer that has recently made her debut EP available for free download on Jamendo. It's under a creative commons license and one of the few compilations from a Japanese artist straight pop lovers can enjoy. The album is filled with five electronic dance pop tracks that reminds me of those wonderful Japanese anime soundtracks. Phrenia has actually released a previous single on Jamendo as well, titled Yami No Conduct. Compared to her first release, this self-titled debut features tracks with a less prominent rock flair; instead it's mostly all pop. Nevertheless, it's still very enjoyable if you adore J-pop. Grab the download.

Bullets In Madison – We Became Your Family When You Died

Elements of ambient, shoe gaze, post rock, and indie pop music make We Became Your Family When You Died by Chicago based dream pop/shoe gaze collective Bullets In Madison, one of the most ambitious albums your are likely to listen to. These songs are 4 to 7 minutes long but the indie pop narratives make them seem to go by much quicker.  In post rock and ambient music the emotion as all important, and this album has that in spades with a shimmering wave of strings, percussion and guitar accents that sound wistful.

The Eclectic: Breathe EP

The Eclectic is a Dublin five piece crew that create an alt rock infused electronica sound. This EP, Breathe, has garnered comparison to top Brit band, Muse. Even though the group isn't exactly thrilled with this comparison, there's no denying that they do sound like the Matt Bellamy-led group. From the voice to the synth rock sound, it's hard not to compare. Nevertheless, The Eclectic does sound quite good. Their sound is a beautiful mix of laid back cuts to menacing synth alternative. One thing's for sure, whether they really sound like Muse or not; this five track EP is worth checking out. Give it a download.

Rusalka: Accent EP

Rusalka might seem like an odd name for a band, but their name is quite appropriate for the type of weird yet soothing music they make. This short EP was released back in August 2010 and contains 4 instrumental tracks. It's easy to trace hints of progressive, alternative, indie rock on the songs. With sweeping guitar work, heavy drums and occasional chants, the tracks remind me of an instrumental, Rise Against. Accent is offered at a pay-what-you-want option. You can donate to the band or you can simply hit zero on the donation option. It should give you the download option. Definitely a record worth checking out.

KAMP!: Thales One

KAMP!, an electronic pop trio formed in 2007 in Lodz, Poland (although the paths of its members crossed years earlier) brings us an amazing mix of melodic synth-pop with influences ranging from 80s new wave to 90s french house and musicians such as David Bowie, Daft Punk, Royksopp, etc. In 2009 the band released their first EP titled "Thales One" through netlabel Brennnssel, and only a year later came another great addition of "Breaking a Ghost's Heart" (which includes one of my favorite songs). Since both of the releases are too good to miss (for all of you who love vintage disco, synth + electronic pop with an addition of some great vocals).

Superhumanoids: Urgency

I don't know if it was the band's name or ... well in matter of fact it was only the name that made me take the couple of minutes out of my daily routine and check out the band's official website - and what a well spent couple of minutes it was!! Superhumanoids make a truly amazing sounding dreamy pop (with quality comparable to some of the top chart performers); so go and lift your spirits with music that "shouts summery '60s harmonies, garage rock's raw tonality, slick new-wave electronics, and the adventurous dissonance of '90s indie rock." The Los Angeles based foursome, Sarah Chernoff, Cameron Parkins, Max St. John and Evan Weinerman, already appeared in Nylon Magazine and MTV Music Meter, been featured as a New Band of the Day in Guardian's Culture section, and one of my favorites websites, Cool Hunting (just to name a few from a long list of all the other magazines and blogs that got to the band - sadly - before me).

Blacanova – Madre EP

From Seville Spain, Blacanova plays an indie rock that is equal parts ambient and shoe gaze on their Madre EP.  The mark of indelible music is that it transforms boundaries.  The Spanish language vocals on this EP could be an impediment for those who don't understand Spanish, but the composition and beauty of the vocals make a common spoken language unnecessary. The guitars are both shimmering and haunting as they lay a groundwork for an album that reveals more with each play.  Manuel Begines, Pepe Fernández, José A. Pérez, Inés Olalla, Armando Jiménez y Paco Arenas make up the band.