Seems I haven’t posted on here for a ‘bit.’ I’ve been a tad busy with the real world, but I figured if I liked something enough, then I should probably write about it.

Boxed Wine just put out their second EP last week, as a preview of an album that should be out in the Spring. They describe themselves as ‘indie party pop,’ and this looks to be just that. In a time when so many bands are afraid of the term ‘pop’ on account of it sounding mainstream, the band bats a blind eye and throws their cards in. The results are exactly what one would expect; catchy, simple songs about having a good time.

The first track is “Bones,” and has a bit of a rockier sound than the other two, and might remind fans of their first EP. Still, it’s sonically bigger than what they’ve done before and is more along the lines of Young the Giant than Two Door Cinema Club.

“Boomerang” is next, and that’s where they find a pop groove that could legitimately get people dancing. If you don’t get the damn title stuck in your head, there may just be something wrong with you, with the band coming off a bit like the child of Hot Hot Heat and MGMT. Weird, I know.

It’s on the last track, “Dayglow,” where they start to really stray from their formula. It’s still poppy, but the dance element sticks through more than anything else. The beat sounds like a Pitbull b-side more than an indie rock band from New Jersey, but somehow Boxed Wine makes it work. This might be where they’re going with their sound, but all three tracks could point to a possible direction change.

Overall, the band gets to the point, and maybe that’s what we really need in 2013?  With the indie scene how it is, it’s kind of refreshing to hear a band honestly describe themselves and not come off as pretentious. Hopefully this EP doesn’t have the best songs from their album, but being how different their songs have been up until now, I don’t even know what to expect. All I know is that it might be cool, and will definitely be fun.

Simple, catchy, and effective punk from Los Angeles. This came out on Powey’s debut album, released in June. Enjoy!

The Deadline Shakes do not sound like the “Alabama,” nor do they sound like the “Harlem.” They sound like a ballsier version of The Boy Least Likely To. Hailing from Glasow, the band also makes me think of the rootsy folk rock that was super popular here in the US a few years back. Either way, their new single “Sweeten the Deal” is definitely a winner and you can listen to it below. Enjoy.

Every so often I stumble across a song that hits just the right spot, causing me to fall madly in love with the artist. This is one of those songs. Be The Bear is an indie pop duo for Sweden consisting of singer Christina Wehage and producer Mattias Bolin. Their sound is pretty hard to pin down, but here they get that Lykke Li vibe and completely run with it. ‘Bad Things’ builds slowly, but gets more and more enticing as it goes on. It might just be a contender for Song of the Summer 2012. Enjoy!

Bad Things by Be The Bear

If you had the Wombats collaborate with Little Comets, you’d get something pretty damn close to Bear Cavalry. The band hails from Gosport on the Southern English coast, and this excellent EP came out this last November. Like everything else in my life, I’m way behind in posting about it, but this will hopefully gives the group a little push well after the fact. Plus, this it the time of year to listen to it anyway…

My favorite track would probably be “Roman Summer,” as it has just the perfect vibe for the middle of a hot summer (unless you count the fact that it makes you want to dance, which could be dangerous in the heat). Also, the use of ska-tinged trumpets and peppy chanting over the other songs really helps the groups stand out from their indie pop contemporaries.

Honestly, the EP gets better and better every time you put it on. After repeated listens, I’m going to go as far to say that Bear Cavalry may well be onto something unique and addictive here. Enjoy!

Sleeper is the musical project of Paul Olsen, a Laguna Beach native who let’s a slightly darker side of California shine on his six-song debut EP. The song below might be the most accessible track, and it reminds me of Animal Collective meets Shins meets Band of Horses. Did I just drop enough names to make it worth your time? I think so. Enjoy!

Wait, is this actually genuine rock ‘n’ roll? In 2012? That can’t be right. This is unheard of. I must inform the internet…

The Ten Thousand are from Los Angeles and, based on this one song, I think we may have an unpolished, back-to-basics rock band on our hands. Yes, I know I’m being dramatic, but this song is pretty great and it’s worth repeated listens. It’s the first single from the group, and leads up t their debut EP Nobody Gets Hurt, which I’m sure will be out soon enough. Enjoy!

Juneteenth by The Ten Thousand

The Ten Thousand – Juneteenth

Here’s a quickie because I am so behind in posting it’s not even funny. Work is time-consuming. So is learning ten covers in two weeks for a private birthday party.

This song has a nice 70s lite FM vibe, but is weirdly soulful at the same time. The Plastic Pals are from Sweden and have a debut from 2008 you can dig for if you like this. This is a single, so expect more to follow sometime soon…

THE PLASTIC PALS | “Leave It Til Tomorrow” (2012) by birdswillsingforyou

Danish electropop isn’t a common topic of coverage here, but this track has a great vibe that develops over the course of the song. The horns toward the end are quite a nice touch, and it turns from something 80s-esque into something a bit more beautiful. Enjoy, and expect an album from the group sometime later this year!

Debut by JetsiKain

The band is nice enough to give this song away, so feel free to grab it below…

Jetsi Kain – I’m In Control

Slightly bluesy indie rock has become quite a thing since the Black Keys exploded into the mainstream, and this song falls lightly into the category. “Sunset Gun” has quite the stomp to it, and that ‘run, run, run, run’ hook might be stuck in my head for a few days. It could be in yours’ too, if you listen to the immortal words of Steven Tyler and ‘just push play.’