Monogold's new CD "We Animals" showcases the band's evolution from a rather traditional shoegaze sound into something more ambient and "avant". The serene rhythmic percussions, Keith Kelly’s whispering vocals, and the music's mystical qualities have therapeutic powers. The band's new sound also resonates with a certain hippiedom reminiscent of bands like Animal Collective and The Shins; they master the art of creating 5-minute single beat percussion spacey tunes, with interwoven vocals and instruments that vary and evolve through the song. "Dead See Minerals" is a personal favorite from this CD, with its light electronic undertones along with Monogold’s overall woodland creature vibe. Gorgeous music. - website

Sebastian Krueger's Inlets will please the hoards of music fans who have grown to love the floral and somewhat progressive folk championed by Grizzly Bear and Beach House. Less grandiose than the first and sunnier than the latter, Inlets' songs are instantly gratifying and more soothing. Their tamed vocals resonate in a very intimate way, like it often happens with one man/woman band projects, and the melodies are not as convoluted as you may expect. Krueger finds trendy help in the backing vocals department, where Dirty Projectors' Angel Deradoorian leads a team of beautiful voiced ladies whose subtle vocal counterpoint contributes in the texture and melodic departments. Acoustic guitars, clarinets, pianos, strings, percussion, the unmissable ukulele but also synths and other keyboard sounds contribute to the band's tastefully layered orchestrations. The album Inter Arbiter is due out in April - we predict that this record will be one of the soundtracks of hipster love this summer. - PDG