Young Prisms

This album is perfect for all those long winter Sundays to come for when you need something to soundtrack your daydreams.  It is clear that this music belongs in the shoegaze family and its shifty colorful sounds meld very well with the lost-in-the-caverns of an urban apocalypse kind of vibe that runs throughout the various stylistic tunes on this album. Take a listen and make sure you have your favorite warm beverage with you and your most comfy blanket to scurry under.


Artist: Young Prisms
Origin: San Francisco, California USA

OK Go

Although this video isn't super brand new, it is new enough and good enough to where I felt the artist deserves mention/love on this blog.  The track has an excellent balance of easy going, singable lyrics carefully layered on top of a New-Orderish high quality rhythm section.   It seems like the bass has been doubled in lots of the songs, and for bass-lovers like me, it's bliss!   This song in particular also is versatile in that it can be utilized for anything such as driving or relaxing at home or even some dancing at a club if your local DJ is up with the Tunes!

Artist: OK Go
Origin: Los Angeles, California USA

Neon Indian

It's almost like the opening dangling seventies-style cosmic synth tones gradually give way and invite you to share in a great party that splices lots of elements from parties across time and space over the last few decades.  This pastiche mix seems to promise all kinds of good bouncy things for one and all once you swing into it and the finale of the track seems to provide a complimentary ticket for the following weekend or tune, whatever comes first.

Artist: Neon Indian
Origin: Denton, Texas

Craft Spells

This video is much late in coming and is actually one of the acts that precursed this very video blog, rocketing into existence.  Craft Spells is a relatively new band that offers incredibly beautiful songs that coincide with their brilliant videos.  Watch this one from start to  finish, it has elements of humor that meld gently with its darker themes.  Those jingly-jangly guitars and professional bouncy bass seems to come right out of The Smiths school of songwriting. I personally feel their style of guitar based orchestration is very well suited to fit this band's casually smooth vocalist.

Artist:  Craft Spells
Origin: Seattle, Washington USA

Talking Heads

This track earns the heritage award for the Summer 2015. It was one of the early voices of pro-environmental policies way back in the 1980s. It's even more relevant now, Thanks Mr. Byrne. It features an all-star cast of some of highly lauded musicians including The Smith's Johnny Marr, and the late vocalist Kirsty MacColl. The video itself also features some groundbreaking video technology at the time, which are the moving typefaces that run all over the screen at key sections.

Artist: Talking Heads
Origin: New York, New York USA

Death Grips

First song I've heard in a while that lyrically shoots a bird directly at the daylight and at the sun.  If only for that, in the midst of the stranglehold of humidity that has arrived once again for summer, it's a winner.   Furthermore, and more expansively I can't but help to bow deeply to the best song of 2015 that I've heard thus far.

Artist: Death Grips
Origin: Sacramento, California USA

Made in Heights

Crossover appeal!  A friend from L.A. turned me on to this pair of musical whiz kids. Their impressive blending of 90's styled drum'n'bass beats with modern catchy female lead vocals coincide with supporting layers of gentle, cascading synths that that seem to be of New Age origins.   I really foresee big things for Made In Heights, just because they would fit on various radio formats even up to including *gasp* Pop/Top 40! If only we, collectively, should be so lucky!

Artist: Made in Heights
Origin: Los Angeles, California USA