So often in the musical community, one must grapple with the constant question that looms over new indie music; is this good music because it sounds cool or is this good music because it’s genuinely creative? One genre that brings to mind that concern is the fascinating spawn of the New Wave/New Romanticism movement. Every few years, indie rock becomes saturated with synth-pop heavy music (remember 2008)? That bass-filled, electronic, Brit rock sound has infiltrated Brooklyn’s trendy music scene and the result is Bear in Heaven’s third LP, I Love...

Dinosaur Feathers may be one of the sweetest bands you’ve never heard of. Their first album, Fantasy Memorial, boasted some catchy tunes but never became very popular. With summer approaching, Dinosaur Feathers’ brand of sunny indie rock-pop may finally have its time to shine. Their latest record, Whistle Tips, is a jangly feel-good compilation of fresh material. The band has a knack for upbeat melodies and serious lyrical prowess; it’s that technique that sets Dinosaur Feathers apart from blander beach bands. The first track, “Young Bucks,” is one of the...

If the nineties taught us anything at all, it’s that misery loves company, and, more specifically, the miserable love a musician who can play guitar with the best of them but isn’t afraid to cry. 2012 has brought in a wave of new artists who openly talk about the darker emotions—and sometimes there isn’t a positive message in sight. There is something to be said for music that just… hurts so good. Perfume Genius, otherwise known as Mike Hadreas, taps into his sadder side on his sophomore album Put Your...

Sleigh Bells’ latest record Reign of Terror brings up a tricky question: Is it important to see growth in a sophomore album or should the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality apply to new material? Reign is, without a doubt, a good album. Alexis Krauss’s signature war cry vocals are still intact and guitarist Derek E. Miller sounds just as heavy as ever. The cheerleading chants are still there and quick throwaway lyrics continue to dominate most of the tracks; really the only notable change that the band...

When the A.V. Club asked Sharon Van Etten to describe her reasoning for writing so many depressing songs, she replied, “I guess I usually write when I’m in a really intense headspace, because it’s my form of self-therapy.” Van Etten’s third album Tramp is so lyrically poignant that it is easy to believe that every song she sings is a snapshot into her tumultuous personal life. Be warned that every track on this album will instantly revive memories of bad breakups and accidental ex-sex, but listening to Tramp in its...

For those of you who couldn’t get enough of Wilco’s latest LP, The Whole Love, you’re in for a treat. This month, the Chicago superstars have dropped a special EP aptly titled iTunes Session. This eight-track record features Wilco songs that span across the decades; dedicated fans will be pleased to note the inclusion of an A.M. track—whoa, old school! Though the EP takes a trip down musical memory lane, a certain element is missing. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This album showcases Wilco’s country-alt roots with light,...

In the world of indie music, it is difficult to stand out. However, Dengue Fever will never have to worry about blending in with the herd. Their latest album, Cannibal Courtship, proves that the band has perfected their craft and created a harmonious balance between Cambodian and western rock music. I recently had the opportunity to talk to bassist Senon Williams about the band’s latest album, their musical influences, and their experiences on tour. I know that you guys have recently returned from a tour through Southeast Asia. What was...

WARNING: If you have experienced a crying jag in the past 24 hours due to excessive consumption of pregnant Beyonce photos or Adele songs, I highly suggest you take some time to detox before reading on. For my final article of 2011, it seemed appropriate to reflect on one of the most awesome musical trends this year: female domination. Of course, female artists still have many industry-imposed hurdles to overcome. Now, I’m not talking about the Lady Gagas and Katy Perrys of the world; they have received plenty of attention...

With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to bestow upon you, dear readers, the gift that keeps on giving. With a nod to High Fidelity, I thought that a “Top Five” list would be the perfect choice. However, I was left with the question: top five what? I thought about making a list like “Best Songs to Listen to when Wrapping Gifts” or “Top Five Holiday Jams that Make us Miss ‘The OC’.” But then it dawned on me that as much as you would all like to...

Categorizing the sound on Phantogram’s latest EP, Nightlife, was a blast and a half. In the form of a quick six-track album, duo Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter dance around genres like nobody’s business. So readers, in order to provide a sense of stability, I’ve created a metaphor that will hopefully express the general musical arrangement of this album. Let’s say that The National marries TV On the Radio and they create a musical baby who enjoys raving to triphop and unwinding with dream pop, but is technically called street...