STRFKR

“Miracle Mile”
Hailing From: Portland, OR
Release Number: 3rd
Genre: Chill Electronica
Label: Polyvinyl
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The Joy Formidable

“Wolf’s Law”
Hailing From: North Wales, UK
Release Number: 2nd LP
Genre: Alt Rock
Label: Atlantic Recordings
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Tegan and Sara

“Heartthrob”
Hailing From: Alberta, Canada
Release Number: 7th
Genre: Pop Rock
Label: Warner Bros. Recording
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Pascal Pinon

“Twosomeness”
Hailing From: Iceland
Release Number: 2nd
Genre: Ethereal Dream Pop
Label: Morr Music
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Amor De Dias
“The House At The Sea”
Release Number: 2nd
Hailing From: London and Brooklyn
Genre: Chamber Pop
Label: Merge

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Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Elin Ruth
“Elin Ruth”
Release Number: U.S. Debut (5th album intl.)
Hailing From: Mönaterås, Sweden
Genre: Folk Rock (with some doo-wop influence)
Label: Divers Avenue Music
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Veronica Falls
“Waiting For Something To Happen”
Release Number: 2nd
Hailing From: London, England
Genre: Fuzz Pop
Label: Slumberland
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Eels
“Wonderful, Glorious”
Release Number: 10th
Hailing From: Loz Feliz, California
Genre: Lo-Fi Rock
Label: Vagrant
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Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra
“Theatre is Evil”
Release Number: 3rd
Hailing From: New York City, New York
Genre: Caberet Rock
Label: 8 ft. Records

What can I say about Amanda Palmer? You know how pop stars today are described as edgy because they got a tattoo, put out a controversial album, or did something unexpected? Well, if that’s true then, Palmer is over the cliff. If other artists kiss girls on stage, she kisses fondles them and then ties them up and gags them (yes, this actually happened). She made a name for herself as one half of the punk cabaret duo, the Dresden Dolls, singing about rape and back-alley abortions. All of these things, combined with her cabaret style is what makes her so unique and exciting.

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Passion Pit
“Gossamer”
Hailing From: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Release Number: 2nd
Genre: Dance Electropop
Label: Columbia/Frenchkiss Records

It’s been three years since Passion Pit released their highly acclaimed, full length debut Manners. Their tracks were used in everything from cell phone commercials to television shows. Now they are back with Gossamer, a slightly more mature and sadder take on the same style its predecessor embodied. It is these qualities which, although they bring the overall feel in a slightly different direction, make Gossamer the stronger album of the two. In fact, a look into lead singer Michael Angelakos’ life makes their accomplishment with their sophomore album that much more impressive.

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Purity Ring
“Shrines”
Hailing From: Montreal, Canada
Release Number: Debut
Genre: Synth pop
Label: 4AD

I haven’t been as excited for a debut album in a while. In today’s music climate, a band seems to release their debut album only a few months after they first pop onto the scene. Purity Ring took their time, however, releasing their first single (“Ungirthed”) back in the very beginning of 2011. A year and a half later, their debut is finally released and it’s one of the most fully realized debut albums in a while. It’s rare that a band hits the ground running right away, but Purity Ring seem to have done it with Shrines.

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