Versus’ Fontaine Toups, perhaps the most underrated, indie female bass player, debuts her new band, carrying on where Versus left off.
Oceanographer
Was Panda, now Oceanographer. Part New York, part Texas…and by
Texas I mean good Texas. Warm, melodic, deliberate.
Le Coupe
A breezy, smooth, danceable pop song that could usher in world peace if the right people cuddled up and listened to it together.
The Broken Family Band
Cooler country music than anything coming out of Nashville, and they’re from the UK for crying out loud, and they sing about robots. Win/win.
Four Tet
The “As Serious As Your Life” B-sides come in all flavors: Jay Dee and Guilty Simpson capitalize on the original’s funky underpinnings with b-boy savoir faire while the live version pushes the limits of both RAM and patience.
The Earl
Percolating jazzy breaks and clever cuts served up hot on a steaming bed of vocals. Recommended for fans of DJ Format.
Prince Po
The long-overdue return of Organized Konfusion’s mind-bending MC Prince Po(etry) with the infamous Danger Mouse on the boards. And, yes, that’s a Massive Attack sample on “Better Things.”
The Magic Magicians
Wild-eyed garage romps from the super duo of John Atkins (764-Hero) and Joe Plummer (Black Heart Procession, Caustic Resin).
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.
UMass Percussion Ensemble
Fantastic cover of the Radiohead epic. Talk about Schoolhouse Rock. Could this song be the “Smoke on the Water” or “Smells Like Teen Spirit” of the new millenium? (source: Coudal)