Music

Sweet Empire: This Season Needs Torches

Valerie
Sweet Empire is a group that hasn't forgotten their punk rock roots. The band sounds like it would have felt comfortable during the 90s punk rock revival when the genre actually became popular again thanks to bands like The Offspring and Green Day. This Season Needs Torches is a 12-track album offered by the band at a name-your-price option. Packed with what is essentially all out punk, the record breezes through one loud, energetic track after another. A purely handmade, DIY record; the album has that freshly plucked punk sound that's both nostalgic and easily enjoyable.
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Opus Orange: Reinventions EP

Valerie
A short and sweet teaser EP, Reinventions contains only 4 tracks. Regardless, this is more than enough to make you want to find out more about the band. Opus Orange is actually a personal project by long time music mixer Paul Bessenbacher. It took him some time to finally release this short compilation as he focused on his main work of helping bands mix their own sound. Judging from the gems in this EP, he really should find more time recording and releasing his own material. Featuring beautiful indie folk pop, the EP is a real treat. It's upbeat, catchy and highly enjoyable.
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Badbadnotgood: BBNG2

Valerie
As creepy as the cover image is, the sound that emanates from this album is nothing short of exquisite techno dub jazz. BBNG2 is an awesome mix of original and rehashed tracks from such favorites like My Bloody Valentine and even Kanye West. Generally classified as "jazz," this is nowhere near your Grandpappy's jazz music thanks to a deeply wrapped thumping bass, electronics and a whole lot of hip hop/electro vibe. The songs on here feature a lateral transformation of jazz music; giving the sound a more modern and interesting feel.
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Pretty Guts: PG002

Valerie
Formed back in May 2010, Pretty Guts is a London-based progressive rock band. Made up of "Word-smith Michael Triponel, Child guitar prodigy Tyrone Flavell, Ex-fashion model Richard Yong on Drums and Matthew Barton on Bass." Despite the hodge-podge background, together, the band creates their brand of indie progressive punk rock with some gusto. They take their influence from various genres of music, be it from soul, jazz, rock, hip hop and even the blues. It's this diversity in taste and influence that allows the band to create a familiar yet distinct sound that easily pleases their listeners.
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Elle B: Until the Light of Day

Valerie
Counting Prince, Lauryn Hill and her classically trained mom as influences; singer/songwriter Elle B, certainly knows how to make gorgeous R&B tinged tracks that'll make you want to listen all night long. Her soulful voice is reminiscent of song sirens of the yesteryears, allowing her to gain a wider audience each time she's performing. Until the Light of Day is her latest release and follows up her successful debut, the Elle B. EP. The record comes with 9 free tracks/demos recorded between 2007 to 2010.
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Tough Lovers: Exits.

Valerie
What initially started out as a solo project for Jamie Smail quickly turned into a collective. Luckily, the rapport between the members paid off and Tough Lovers has produced a compilation that is both endearing and catchy. Other members of the band include Graham, Dane and Ryan. This Canadian four-piece proudly produce stellar indie pop rock tracks that will get your head swaying and your feet tapping from the beat. If you want something laid-back and easy to listen to, you can't go wrong with giving this one a listen. The boys are offering this EP as a free download over at their BandCamp site.
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Fraser James: Gone From Here

Valerie
Creating beautiful acoustic indie pop, Fraser James, has a knack for capturing any listener's attention with only his guitar and sweet vocal chops. Gone From Here is a debut EP from the St. Albans singer. It delivers music that seems ideal company for cold afternoons with hot cocoa on hand while silently taking in the quiet day. You'll find 8-tracks in this compilation, all recorded between winter of 2010 to summer of 2011. Almost all of them were written by James except for Flume which is a Bon Iver cover.
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Jared C. Balogh: Rhythms of Life

Monica
Get in touch with your senses as Jared C. Balogh’s Rhytms of Life take you on a transcendent journey of emotions and life experiences. Jared C. Balogh is a musician/composer from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He’s also a member of the American Composers Forum. He had released numerous albums and have already collaborated with artists like Lezet, Hal McGee, Kawol and The Merricks, to name a few.
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