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 South by Southwest this March in Austin to support their debut album, “Eyelid Movies,” which has already been designated an NPR focus of the week. They’re from Saratoga Springs, New York, and they recorded their beautifully produced EP in a barn. Radio K is a big fan; they played at our CMJ (College Music Journal) broadcast in New York City and snatched the #8 spot on our annual Top 77 albums of the year.

Small Black
Information about this Brooklyn duo is scarce, but they have been profiled by Pitchfork, Stereogum, and a slew of other websites, especially when Washed Out (touring with Beach House this spring) remixed their gorgeous single, “Despicable Dogs.” Originally known as Slowlands, the band disbanded and then promptly reassembled themselves under their current moniker. Their tunes are filled with ethereal background noise, spacey vocals and shoegazy melodies that take complete hold of the listener. There really isn’t a way to describe what Small Black sounds like. It’s just really great.

A Sunny Day in Glasgow
Let me first admit, in case my subsequent fawning becomes too much, that this band produced my favorite album of last year and one of my most treasured listening experiences. If you haven’t heard of the Philadelphia band A Sunny Day in Glasgow, you aren’t the only one. Only two albums into their career over the span of three years, this group has flown under the radar for quite some time, but their sophomore album, “Ashes Grammar,” was one of the best reviewed albums of 2009. Suffering from severe line-up changes, the band never expected to create what many regard as a landmark album for dream pop, and over the span of 23 tracks, ranging from 15 seconds to 6 ½ minutes, it totally baffles you how this many layers of music can come together so seamlessly. Incoherent lyrics shimmer through dense layers of instrumentation and huge, striking beats, and each song is a completely different experience and idea. Expect big things from these guys; even after a few months since the release of “Ashes Grammar,” their last.FM wall has exploded with a daily stream of listener praise. If you are interested, check out the session they did at Radio K back in November at the “In-Studios” tab at radiok.org.

Tags: Radio K