Blackbird Blackbird - Summer Heart [2010]

For Fans Of: Small Black, Teen Daze, Washed Out

Genres: Electronica, Chillwave, Lo-fi

Spotify: Yes

Preview:

Mikey Maramag, AKA Blackbird Blackbird, is an electronica/chillwave musician from San Fransico, California. He just released a new single a month or so ago, which you can listen to here. I was planing on throwing that on the site, but it's just one song and I'm not even a big fan of it. So, download this album by him instead because 1) it's ten times better, and 2) it contains a chillwave version of "Float On". Yes, that "Float On". 

Listen Here

Streampad: Blackbird Blackbird - Float On

Southern Shores - Atlantic EP [2011]

For Fans Of: Washed Out, Air France, Pinemarten

Genres: Electronica, Lo-Fi, Chillwave

Spotify: Yes

Preview:

Southern Shores is an Air France-esque Canadian duo on Cascine Records, and this is their latest EP. With its catchy beats, soul vibe, and disco influence, I expect this album to be on repeat in my car as soon as summer finally rolls back around. It's also available on vinyl for just ten dollars!

Streampad: Southern Shores - Antibo

Beach Fossils - Shallow [2012]

For Fans Of: Craft Spells, Wild Nothing, Surfer Blood

Genres: Lo-Fi, Surf Rock, Indie Pop

Spotify: Ya

Preview:

I've been in love with Beach Fossils ever since I heard "Golden Age" from their 2010 self-titled release. The carefree vibe of each catchy tune makes their albums the perfect soundtrack to a long drive on a sunny day. This 7" was just released last week (purchase here), and features two new songs. Hopefully we will see another great full-length from them soon.

Streampad: Beach Fossils - Lessons

Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory [2012]

For Fans Of: Beach Fossils, Weekend, Small Black

Genres: Lo-Fi, Indie Pop, Shoegaze

Preview: Could Nothings - Our plan by Lorina Karreci

While trotting Insound for a copy of Your Favorite Weapon, I came across a pre-order for Cloud Nothing's newest LP. Although filled with remnants of the usual lo-fi indie pop we have come to expect, Attack on Memory is just different enough from their previous works to hint that the band has way more up its sleeve than just upbeat poppiness, choosing instead to anchor its ambition with simpler indie-punk jams. This is a more diversive work that carries the band into considerably heavier territory than the previous two releases. But not to worry - the catchy melodies are still interwoven into each song, just more obvious in some than others. There's also a great instrumental track about halfway through the album. The band will offer many opportunities to catch this new material live on their upcoming North American tour, which runs from February to April.