Listen to a track from Rachel Asher called “I Want to Know”. It’s fairly simple, a repetitive dance beat underscoring a repeated refrain — but it’s catchy and hypnotic. It’s listed as being a part of a “demo”, so maybe we’ll be hearing more tracks. It’s almost as if this song needs one last piece. Maybe a high-pitched, spacey, frenetic synth. Whatever the case may be, it’s a fun track. Listen below. You can download the track at bandcamp. – David D. Robbins Jr. 

Big fan of the sound of this new single, “Dream Boat”, from the very Pretty Girls Make Graves-sounding wonder Beast Make Bomb. What I mean by that is the band has a that grungy, innovative sound that feels improvised in a devil-may-care kind of way. Sure, there’s melodic guitar, but it gets scuzzed up, and the lead female vocals are punked-out epigrams delivered in a way sure to inspire angst-heavy crowd sing-alongs. The song reaches its height right at the heavy scream (3:07), giving way to a fabulously freaked-out guitar line. It’s anthemic, and makes me wish for the days when PGMGs’ Andrea Zollo would sing out, “Do you remember what the music meant?!?” (Yes, I do.) “Dream Boat” is easily one of my favorite singles of 2012. The band plan on releasing a group of singles this year, so be on the look out. You can follow the band at facebook or stream some tracks at soundcloud. Be sure to stream their 2010 five-song EP, “Skinny Legs”, at bandcamp. — David D. Robbins Jr.

Phèdre has a video for the second track, “Aphrodite”, off their wonderful self-titled LP. This band is one of the breakouts of 2012, and their album is in the early running for my 2012 LP of the year. The video was directed by the band and the choreography by Leah Gold & Jodinand Aguillon. – David D. Robbins Jr.

Fake Flamingo Recordings is posting two songs every week at bandcamp, written by someone under a pseudonym. It’s a cool concept. Listen to all the songs and see what you think. So far, they have 19 posts. The site says that as an added bonus, when the proceeds reach $1,000, a limited edition 12-inch vinyl record will be pressed and 100 people who actually paid for their downloads will receive the record for free. How cool is that? Listen to the latest track below, “End”, by The End. The label states this as a principle: “The ability for an artist to create new sounds without having to reference their past work has proved to be quite freeing. The music is the product, not the person.”  – David D. Robbins Jr.

Julia Stone is prepared for the release of a new solo album “By The Horns”, which is available for pre-order at iTunes. The official release dates are May 29th in North America, the 25th in Australia, May 28th in Europe and May 30th in France. But until then, listen to an acoustic, badass cover she did for 3emeGauchetv of The National’s “Bloodbuzz Ohio” from off their 2010 record, “High Violet”. It’s a marvel of soft finger-picking and Stone’ unmistakable voice: “I stand up straight at the foot of your love / I left my shirt up / I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees / I’ll never marry, but Ohio don’t remember me / I lay my head on the hood of your car / I take it too far.” Gorgeous. – David D. Robbins Jr.

Since the last time I wrote about Death In the Afternoon, the band went through some personnel changes. But it seems they haven’t skipped a beat. This latest release, “Singles & B-Sides” features five tracks, some older like “John Who”, along with previously-unreleased singles, “Francis In the City” and “Kino”. The Swedish band have a unique sound, that combines electronic dance elements with a sort of rock dreampop. The results are songs that feel both cerebral and innate. They can make you think and dance, probably depending upon what type of music listener you are. You can follow the band at facebook and their official website here. I’m a fan of the track, “Kino”, a song that had me thinking of old Dead or Alive. Maybe it’s the hypnotic repetition of that deep synth riff mixing with those pretty and elongated lead vocals, “We scream out, and we follow the light.” Or maybe it’s the pop choral hooks paired together with dark synth undertones. Be sure to check out “John Who” and the infectious “Hollywood” too. You can listen to the songs at bandcamp. – David D. Robbins Jr.

Here’s a new video from Denmark’s Tomas Barfod for his track “Broken Glass”. The video was directed by Martin Garde Abildgaard. The 12-inch single is out now via Friends of Friends label and features two original new tracks as well as two remixes. Follow Barfod on facebook. – David D. Robbins Jr.

Baltimore’s Lower Dens have a new video for “Propagation”, a track off their sophomore full-length “Nootropics” (No-eh-tro-pics) out on Ribbon Music today. It’s such a drowsily gorgeous, narcotized track, with lead singer Jana Hunter sounding like Chrissie Hynde — her vocals drawn-out and lithe as drifting smoke. Video is directed by Sebastian Mlynarski. You can stream the entire album courtesy of the band, at their website, through Spotify. “Propagation” is the second video from Lower Dens’ new record, following the video for “Brains”. Sorry, but the band’s Brooklyn tour date tonight is sold out, but you can still catch them in Philadelphia, PA at Johnny Brenda’s tomorrow; Washington, D.C. at Rock and Roll Hotel on Thursday; and Friday night in their hometown at the Ottobar. — David D. Robbins Jr.

The KVB has a record out, “Always Then”, that everyone should be listening to. It’s strong all around, which is a rare thing nowadays. On The KVB facebook page it says the record is close to running out already if you want it on white vinyl, however, you can stream the entire thing at bandcamp or by it on black vinyl. You can hear a good number of influences in “Always Then”, through it’s muffled vocal recording and heavy static guitar screeches. There are pretty, lonely-sounding melodies delivered in swirl of bedroom aesthetics and garage dark wave. It’s music for fans of everything from Bauhaus to Echo & The Bunnymen. It’s one of my favorite listens this year. The record was released via limited edition (500 copies) 12-inch LP from Clan Destine Records. The cover photo was taken and designed by the talented Ela Orleans, a sweet musician in her own right. -- David D. Robbins Jr.