Jenny and Johnny

Jenny Lewis + Johnathon Rice = cute girl friend/ boy friend duo that is going by the name of Jenny and Johnny. It's happy pop music with a driving guitar and sing-along lyrics. Can't you just feel the love?

Jenny and Johnny-Scissor Runner (mp3)

Cut Copy

Breath shortened. Heart beating faster. Massive cliche I know, but this is literally what happened the second I saw Cut Copy had released a track from their upcoming third album. Obviously I was excited, but also prepared for the new stuff to fall maybe a little short of the greatness that has been the past two albums. Nup! This track is amazing. The harmonies immediately make me think of Animal Collective so totally not surprised to see the boys are working with the same producer Ben Allen. The really really 80's vibe of previous stuff has gone, but it's still a massive throw back to the past few decades, it's just a little harder to pick exactly where it fits in. Can't wait to: (a) hear some remixes, (b) get my hands on the album and (c) see the new stuff in the flesh.

Cut Copy-Where I'm Going (mp3)

One Happy Island

"It seemed like a good idea at the time...make like a tree and please go away"

One Happy Island's debut release is 15 pretty different tracks. Some are sorta sad, some are manically happy, but all are kooky and cute with lyrics that make you want to smile. Although the electric ukulele goes a long way, it is most definitely the switches between boy and girl vocals and the harmonies that come between that make these guys so much fun. For me, it's the "girl" tracks How to Hurt and Nomi, You're a Star that really hit the spot, but that doesn't mean that Kuduzu Girlfriend (a "boy" one) isn't damn sweet as well. Makes me want to nod my head side to side, whilst sitting in a diner drinking a milkshake and eating fries. Yup!

One Happy Island-Kudzu Girlfriend (mp3)

School of Seven Bells

The second album from School of Seven Bells is out, it's called Disconnect From Desire and it's a lovely listen. Some tracks are more upbeat than others, but with the soft and sorta eerie harmonies of the Deheza twins each of the 10 tracks is relaxing enough to send you into a blissful summery dreampop sleep. The lead single Windstorm is pretty representative of the whole album. Very very catchy melody, give it three listens and you probs won't be able to get it out of your head.

School of Seven Bells-Windstorm (mp3)

Sticky Fingers

Who are you Sticky Fingers? I'm out of the country right now so maybe I've missed the buzz you've been creating. And if there hasn't been buzz then there's something seriously wrong. I've been trying real hard to like most stuff that is coming my way, which isn't necessarily a bad thing...but with Juicy Ones there was no effort needed. None at all. I love this track and cannot wait to get back to Sydney and see their much hyped live shows.

Sticky Fingers-Juicy Ones (mp3)

Young Heretics

Mathew and Kitty from Melbourne self produced and self funded an album they called We Are The Lost Loves and put it up for free grabs on their website way back in April. But it took four more months for their polished set of 11 tracks to make their way to my ears. I keep reading that these guys are twins, and for a while I even convinced myself that you could see the genetic similarities. But apparently there is no blood shared, as they are simply step siblings. Embarrassing.

Their music is good and you can tell that the Young Heretics are two talented people making some very listenable acoustic electronic combos and cute boy girl harmonies. The problem is I can't seem to shake a kind of of emo thing I get from their stuff. Maybe it's just cos Mathew was once the lead singer of The Getaway Plan. Or maybe it's the at times overly earnest lyrics and dramatic compositions. But we shouldn't let stereotyping get in the way of good music, should we?

Second single Risk/Loss has just got to be a conscious Crystal Castles reference, but regardless it is still heaps catchy and comes with a bonus creepy video!

Young Heretics-Risk/Loss (mp3)

Steering By Stars

Adelaide four piece Steering By Stars have just put out their independent debut album Cables. The lead single, Closer took my liking right away (hectic intro, eerie vocals and some really beautiful keys) but the rest of the tracks are so diverse that its taken me a little while to take it all in. The album seems to start of with large stadium drums and an almost progressive feel but then quickly becomes more and more driven by the strong melody of the piano and it's sorta nice to get the real thing for a change rather than the electronic or synthesised version. Which is really true for the album as a whole: there aren't really any bells or whistles, it is stripped back and raw...what you hear on the record is just the music.

Steering By Stars-Spirits (mp3)