The Wake

Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett used to be called Final Fantasy, and that name might ring a bell in many more heads than the new moniker he’s adopted. While no one is sure why exactly he switched personas for the release of his new album, Heartland, it really shouldn’t matter. This is the same ol’ Owen Pallett we’re used to: beautiful, heart-breaking and violent compositions filled with advanced violin looping and crooning vocals. The guy has written …

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Phantogram

This duo has been garnering a tremendous amount of buzz around the blog circuit, gaining accolades for their infusion of standard hip-hop beats and the angelic croon of lead singer Sarah Barthel. If you were in a Starbucks within the past month, they were the download of the week, they just signed to the esteemed labels, Barsuk and Ghostly International (Ra Ra Riot, Menomena, Mates of State, School of Seven Bells), and they’ll be at …

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The xx’s debut album starts off with what may be the most effective introductory song ever made: a two-minute, brooding, bass-heavy anthem with indistinguishable vocal chanting. It is simply called “Intro,” and it seamlessly sets the disposition of the following 38 minutes that the listener is about to embark on. “VCR” comes next, and Romy Madley Croft’s voice sneaks in amongst a sparse beginning of chimes and no more than five guitar notes. This bare …

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