Music

The Black Pawn: A Breath of Fresh Air

A Breath of Fresh Air is a hiphop compilation released by Pawn Structure Productions. Spearheaded by record producer and artist, The Black Pawn, the album compiles works by various artists under the indie hiphop netlabel. From main man, Hank McCoy to Sol Infinite and Epidemic; the album is peppered by talented underground/up-and-coming artists in the hip hop world. The album itself comes with 14 tracks that revolve around easy-listening, hip hop music. With likable beats and smooth rhythm, the album exudes a retro vibe throughout. It's a lot like listening to a 90s rap/hip hop record with a very slight modern twist.

Interface: The Morning Light Project

Interface is the second EP from Italian crew, The Morning Light Project. The album is a great mix of retro 80s synth rock that bring to mind artists like, The Pet Shop Boys and Duran Duran. The band first formed back in 2008 and since then have churned out several releases through their Jamendo and BandCamp. Made up of Francesco Algeri, Angelo Cincotta and Augusto Ielo, the trio weave together a mix of danceable electronic ambient beats that became their ticket for gaining followers when they first started out. Their sound is charming and there's a lovely retro feel to it that makes you think of the good old heydays of 80s synth rock.

Astma: There Will Be a McDonald’s

Listening to Astma is like going on a really weird and wacky ride. It's filled with noises, words, and layers upon layers of sound that you can't make out of. Despite all this chaos, there is an awesome gem hiding inside. There Will Be a McDonald's is a complicated mixture of sound that even some noise rockers might not get. The duo behind this eclectic cacophony is drummer and vocalist, Olga Nosova (Motherfathers), and industrial/electronic maestro, Alexei Borisov. They first teamed up for the effort back in 2009 and since then have collaborated with various artists, poets & musicians to create a unique studio as well as live experience.

Sleepmakeswaves: In Today Already Walks Tomorrow

Making an epic record isn't easy. This is especially difficult if you're a fairly new band. Nevertheless, it's always a great experience to see new artists push the boundaries and deliver a great record despite obscurity. Sleepmakeswaves is one band that manages to hit everything right on the spot. This Aussie group has released 3 EPs under their name, including this one; In Today Already Walks Tomorrow. They're currently gearing up for the release of their debut album by July 2011. For the meantime, you can check out this amazing EP. It's a beautiful mix of progressive, instrumental post-rock that will certainly make you smile.

Zadkiel: The Saturn Return

Zadkiel is a three piece alternative indie rock band that hails from the UK. The group initially formed back in 2008. Together, they create an eclectic mix of alternative rock which incorporates beautiful vocals and instrument work. The Saturn Return is their third compilation and like their previous releases, it's a well-composed record. They admit to being heavily influenced by artists like Jeff Buckley, Nirvana and Radiohead, which is quite evident in the music they create. Nevertheless, the trio manages to express their own sound through the cracks. Each cut resounds with melodies, instruments and distortions that beautifully combine to create a wonderful sound.

Young & Research II: Tough Love Sampler

Young & Research II gives you a great teaser on what to expect from the more than 5 year old record label, Tough Love. The compilation takes 13 tracks from the London-based label and compiles them to create one amazing record. It's been an exciting year for the label so far, they managed to release two of their first full LPs from Girls Names and Cymbals. They also gathered up an awesome set of tracks for Young & Research II. Most of the songs featured in the album include exclusives as well as brand new recordings from various artists. You'll find plenty of great new bands to like in this one.

Adult Swim: Singles

We all know or at least heard of Adult Swim as adult-oriented cable television that shares air time with Cartoon Network; not everyone, however, knows them for releasing some sweet free music. As part of their more recent projects, Adult Swim has decided to put together a compilation, 8 singles over 8 weeks that would blend together some great artists from genres as diverse as folk, pop, hip-hop, metal, and a touch of electronica.

Die Pretty: Battle Over Brooklyn

Battle Over Brooklyn is the product of pop punk band, Die Pretty. The foursome only started about 2 years ago (2009) but they're definitely wasting no time getting their music together and spreading the word. They've already released a short EP titled, Bittersweet. This was released in Europe via Unconform Records and helped win the band a solid following overseas. With Battle Over Brooklyn, the band is looking to expand and maybe win over more people to their brand of upbeat pop punk. Soaring through the scene with a good mix of pop, punk, alternative and rock; Die Pretty seems to have what it takes to make more than an impression in the music world.

Paper Plane Pilots: Demo 2009

Thanks to a knack for incorporating a fun, energy-filled vibe to their songs, Paper Plane Pilots don't have much of a problem making their listeners enjoy their music. This Paris-based group bring together an upbeat indie punk alternative vibe to their songs; infuse it with catchy rhythms and really fun lyrics to win their audiences. Demo 2009 is obviously a few years old but it still deserves good exposure. Influenced mainly by the American alternative band scene, the guys take after their heroes to create an 8-track demo filled with punchy cuts worth bouncing around to.