Pop

Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Elton John

The Juliets: Perfect Season

After the successful self-titled debut album, The Juliets are poised to take over the music scene. Formed in late 2008, the five-piece band of Jeremy Freer (piano/guitar/vocals), Sarah Myers (violin/vocals) and Kaylan Mitchell (cello) manages to seize new-age pop and classical music, applying their own twist with a violin and cello. Perfect Season is produced by the band along with Dave Feeney and was recorded during February and March this year. It introduces the addition of Ashton Hopkins (bass) and Jaclyn Phillips (drums) producing a 12-track record of raved up, string-heavy music.

You Me and Apollo: Cards with Cheats

For moments when all you need is a sweet voiced singer with his guitar serenading your quiet afternoon; You Me and Apollo should make really good company. The guy behind this sonic ensemble is Brent Cowles. A pastor's son from Fort Collins, Cowles started writing and creating songs at the age of 14. Thanks to an early start, he developed a beautiful sound that resonates with both quiet and upbeat tempos, mesmerizing vocal work and skillful guitars. Simplicity and intrigue are both present in his work, something that makes you want to tune out the world and simply tune in to his songs.

The Willow and The Builder

The Willow & The Builder is an indie folk duo straight from Connecticut. Their music intertwines carefully sculpted melodies with gorgeous lyrics ready to wake up all of the winter spirits from the deep sleep. Released in October 2011, this 8 track self-titled album is filled with mesmerizing sounds of violin, trombone, viola, flute, trumpet, and masterfully sequenced drum additions, that should not be missed by anyone in need for some quality indie intervention!

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.

Jay Mel: You Know

Following his last release, Who Is Jay Mel, also covered within the pages of FrostClick, Jay Mel comes back with yet another addition to his artistic repertoire, this time in a shape of four track EP, You Know. The Youngstown, OH based rapper is certainly raising the bar every time he steps to the microphone (which he is proudly doing since the young age of 15), and this time is proving to be no different.

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.