(by Dawn Reed) The NYC based geniuses Anamanaguchi who crafted the killer score for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World are about to unleash their self-produced album Endless Fantasy.  Three years in the works, the album contains 22 pop punk dance tracks crafted through the use of hacked Nintendos, Game Boys, and the classic 16-bit sound along with a full band.  They've got a truly impressive Kickstarter campaign going on right now to back the album with a killer tour crafted to look just like they sound; amazeballs.   In less than 11 hours, they raised over $50,000!  I'm looking at the list of goodies right now and debating on how much to donate because everything is just too cool.  

I mean look at this video.  Edited by the team over at Tim & Eric and sticking with Anamanaguchi's video game roots, this has got to be one of brightest/cutest/ridiculous videos I've seen in sometime.  Meow. Can't wait for the tour! 

(by Dawn Reed) "Say hello to the future." Five years after their first release, Aussie electro duo Empire of the Sun are about to put out their second LP Ice on the Dune in July and have just released this video for the first single "Alive."  Starting this May, they will be on the world-wide Fest circuit (and at the moment that's all it looks like as far as touring for this album. <Bummer!!! because I can't stand festivals.>)

In typical EOTS fashion, this video is full of gorgeous visuals of elaborate costumes and a range of landscapes combined with sci-fi atmospheric effects. Prepare yourself for the feel good chant of the summer in this chorus "Loving every minute cause you make me feel so alive."

(by Dawn Reed) Get ready to trip out on some Spanish folktronica with this unexpected use of goddess Kali-like effects and kaleidoscoped eyes video for Crystal Fighters first single "Separator" from their next release Cave Rave due out May 27. Breathe. Currently based out of London England, Crystal Fighters wrote this track whilst in the Basque hills of Spain and France. The tie to nature and the universe is abundant not only in the lyrics, but the video- so click play and become a part of the sounds all around you.   

Crystal Fighters will begin a world tour in May, just in time for the fest circuit, and will stay on the road til practically the end of 2013! Check here for dates. 

(by Dawn Reed) Originating from the Virginia college town of Blacksburg is Wild Nothing, an indie-pop project created by Jack Tatum. After garnering indie music blog attention by covering a Kate Bush track, Tatum went on to put out a hit LP Gemini in 2010 and a couple EP's before his latest 2012 album Nocturne that features the track in this video of the week.  This slow-mo stroll of a man with a sword through his heart getting ignored in the streets of L.A. could be a metaphor for the lyric "only Heather can make me feel this way."  Or, the director Ryan Reichenfeld is super stoked for season 3 of Game of Thrones to start! Go Khaleesi.

(by Dawn Reed) Oslo Norway's producers of lush rock Heyerdahl are about to release their debut album ØEN on Jan. 28. Now the back story on recording this is pretty dope.  They trekked out to record in a lighthouse on the west coast of Norway, where a winter storm hit them.  I haven't had a chance to hear the album yet, but according to one reviewer, you can hear the power of the wind that drove waves up against the windows!  An adventurous time indeed, which translates visually into this video for "Mirage."  In this video, an aged woman dying from leprosy has one final wish carried out post-cremation by her son and granddaughter. Which goes to show that after we pass, we can still set up some awesome adventures for those we leave behind.  

Director: Thor Brenne

(by Dawn Reed)  Native American rapstress Angel Haze, from NYC by way of Michigan & Virginia, tore it up at CMJ performances last week, getting her message out to more people before her big label release drops next year.  Her lyrics are clever in delving into harsh subjects, like in this video for "Werkin Girls" (directed by Alex Lee & Kyle Wightman) that doesn't shy away from what appears to be child abduction/trafficking.  Some fans are in an uproar that it's tied to the Illuminati.  Anyways... we can't help but notice the striking Aaliyah influence, and that she is just dope as shit.  This track is off her July release Reservation which displays her original beats and extreme potential in the hip-hop game.

From her FB page: "Angel Haze is as confident as she is shy, and as proud as she is humble. Like many, her music provides a breath of fresh air for those who have an appreciation for music with genuine substance."

She also just dropped a new mixtape as of TODAY, and you can download it here.  Spread the word.

(by Dawn Reed) Ugh. Winds are blowing 55 degree air over the east coast, which is just too cold for this girl, and a sad reminder that summer is far far away.  Unlike the beach in this backwards jumping journey video for the Soundmen's "Funny Feeling." Based out of NYC by way of Seattle, the duo has been producing and remixing since 2010, and this year have begun recording and releasing official tracks, which are now in turn being remixed by others. And remember warriors, always pack your fins when carrying a board to Coney Island. I miss Siren Fest.

Directed by Pace Rivers & AaronIsNotCool

(by Dawn Reed) Zambri is the NYC based goth electro sister duo of Jessica and Cristi Jo, who's debut April release House of Baasa has got other bloggitybloggers comparing them to Grimes meets Lykke Li meets Fever Ray. So basically, darkness is!  In the video for "All You Maybes" created by Johnny Woods, the song gets an 80's looking makeover and comes across like Max Hedrum's droid neighbor coming to the realization that he lives in an absinthe induced 3D reality. Blast off...

Zambri is currently on tour!  Check them out on these dates:

09/05 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean *
09/06 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern *
09/08 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s #
09/09 – Washington D.C. @ DC9 *
09/10 – Boston, MA @ Middle East  ^
09/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live ^
09/13 – New York NY @ Webster Hall ^
09/19 – New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg +
09/20 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s ^
09/21 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre ^

*  = w/ The Suzan
+ = w/Austra, Doldrums
^ = w/ Maximo Park
# = w/ Exitmusic

(by Dawn Reed) Auckland New Zealand new wave duo Kids of 88 are back with their sophomore album Modern Love due out later this summer. The first single off it "Tucan" is a fun worldly mix of native chants, hand claps, serene lyrics, and gorgeous synths.  I'd nominate it as the chill anthem of the summer of '12. And this kaleidoscopic nature/city video (directed by Levi Beamish) blends beautifully with the track produced by Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy. And the lyrics "I want to go to a place that I know is real. I need to find a new place for my mind to heal" just make me want to do the same. And that would be the shores of Oahu to surf...

(by Dawn Reed) Ballet has now made a grand entrance into the cosmos in this beautiful kaleidescopic video for the song "Chin" by the Danish dream pop project Sleep Party People.  SPP was created by multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, and now has accumulated into a quintet of bunny masked shoegazers who've got 2 albums out thus far.  Seriously gorgeous stuff, that basically is the "soundtrack for your dreams." They are currently touring through Europe and will be announcing US dates ASAP.

Video created by Obscura
Dancer: Caroline Baldwin