As we previewed in our Artist of the Week and subsequent interview, we’re pretty excited about the new Gold Motel record. The Chicago-natives took singer’s Greta Morgan’s experiences in Southern California and made a pretty successful record despite the recording process being a bit disjointed. This time, on their self-titled sophomore effort, they set out to make things a bit more cohesive and more of complete record. The sunny, breezy California indie pop that defined their first record is still…

Canada seems to be the breeding ground for crunchy electro pop these days, and Toronto-based Parallels may be one of the groups that helped start it all. The synthpop trio formed in 2008, when Cameron Findlay, the former drummer of fellow Canadian electro poppers Crystal Castles, teamed up with vocalist/composer/producer Holly Dodson. Since its inception four years ago, the trio has undergone a few member changes (including Findlay’s departure to start a new project, Kontravoid), but Dodson has been the…

There are some albums that grab you immediately. You press play and within minutes the veil is lifted, synapses fire and cranial pleasure centers reel. I often attach this expectation to albums like Oshin to those lauded by blogs and music news sites. It’s not that I’m unable to navigate the hype. I think I just really want to believe the buzz is as good as the world says it is.  And after listening to DIIV’s first long play offering…

Ever since White Arrows released its Fireworks of the Sea EP this spring, the quintet’s full-length debut has been on my radar. The L.A.-based five-piece created its own brand of electro pop, incorporating calypso and tropical beats with soaring synthesizers and catchy lyrics, and its unique sound hooked me instantly. With all this anticipation built up, I was ecstatic to give the album, entitled Dry Land Is Not A Myth, a first listen. I went on a walk and gave…