Lonely, loping folktronica with a healthy shoegazer sheen.
The Owls
Maria May and Allison LaBonne’s angelic duets herald heartbreak with exquisite simplicity (“there is only air/where I used to care”).
Ray Barbee
Mr. Barbee, a pro skater, makes music like he rides his skateboard: he finds his groove and gets all improv and jazzy on you.
Calexico
Calexico sound at home in whatever spin they put on their decidedly Southwestern flavor — from smoldering mariachi (“Stray”) to box-step blues (“Sunken Waltz”). Tequila not included.
The Six Parts Seven
Artful (but not artsy) soundtracks for the thinking person who still wants to walk away humming a tune.
James Yorkston and the Athletes
Demos from the 2002 album Moving Up Country. Tasty. These two have the lovely, unpretentious quality that one only finds with demos.
Iron and Wine
Just when you thought Sam Beam’s unassuming masterpiece The Creek Drank the Cradle couldn’t be outdone… check the pure intimacy of “Naked As We Came.”
Adem
Intricate, next-level folk music from Fridge bassist Adem Ilhan.
The Mountain Goats
John Darnielle may not be singing into his trusty Panasonic boom box anymore, but his incisive, tuneful narratives are as raw and compelling as ever.