JayeL Audio

Nowhere as bat shit crazy as “My Leather, My Fur, My Nails”, but Grand Rapdis, MI based Stepdad do return with an intriguing single. “Must Land Running” is another synth heavy track, but has a more epic feel as lead singer ultramark belts the hook.

Look out for Wildlife Pop out on June 12, 2012 via Black Bell Records (aka new label from Ayad Al Adhamy of Passion Pit). And in case you never saw the hilarity of “My Leather, My Fur, My Nails” from the Ordinaire EP, watch below:

Phantasmagoria used to be a Sega Saturn video game that scared me to death (thats right, Sega Saturn). Fortunately, I now have a better association with Phantasmagoria in Detroit-based electro pop act. Take a listen to the first single “Dunes”, off the duo’s upcoming LP Currents. Between Lianna Vanicelli’s enchanting vocals and the hypnotic synth hop productions, whats not to like?

Props to Jasper of ETC & Five Three Dial Tone.

Be sure to check out Phantasmagoria’s upcoming tour dates below. The Record Store Day show with Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr should not be missed for only $15…
04/06/12 – MIDDLE OF THE MAP FEST w/ NEON INDIAN, MISSION OF BURMA, KEEP SHELLEY IN ATHENS & more @ The Union (Kansas City, MO)
04/21/12 – w/ DALE EARNHARDT JR. JR. / THE HARD LESSONS @ Majestic Theater (Detroit, MI) – TICKETS

I could have swore I’d written about Seattle’s Beat Connection previously, but after a quick search of posts, I may have been confusing them with House Connection (the house duo of Bad Boy Bill and Richard Humpty Vission my brothers used to be obsessed with). Anyways, BC makes electronic dream pop that you’ll highly enjoy if you listen to M83, Ladyhawke, Cut Copy and that sort of thing. Chelsey Scheffe guests and gives the track a The xx vibe, if The xx were upbeat vibe. Look for Beat Connection’s new album later this year.
(Thanks Fader)
Like Beat Connection on Facebook

Take a listen to a Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr remix the Detroit lads crafted for Kyle Andrews‘ “Heart U 4 Eva”. Kyle is opening for DEJJ tomorrow here in ATL and Wednesday in Charlottesville.

Kyle Andrews – Heart U 4 Eva (Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr Remix) (via Filter)

Now, the question is will I be attending the show tomorrow at Drunken Unicorn….

You may remember electro poppers Class Actress from Theo Martin’s recent Nark appearance where he sampled their jam “Journal of Ardency”. Elizabeth Harper and company are back with the first single from their upcoming debut album, Rapproacher. More buzzing electro pop anchored by Harper’s chanteuse pipes and 1980′s style synth. So yea, I love it.
Class Actress – Keep You (free .mp3) via P4k
Pick up Class Actress Rapprocher on October 18th.
01 Keep You
02 Love Me Like You Used To
03 Weekend
04 Prove Me Wrong
05 Need to Know
06 Limousine
07 All the Saints
08 Bienvenue
09 Missed
10 Hangin’ On
11 Let Me In

Heavy Roc Music has been on a roll as of late. The Knocks‘ continue to churn out quality remixes/covers, Samuel built a strong base of buzz last year and Alex Winston blew up like I thought she would (to paraphrase Biggie). With those acts working on major label efforts, the other Roc has opted to promote a new act, St. Lucia.

There isn’t much known about St. Lucia yet, but the press release says the music was “inspired by his homeland of South Africa, his journey through the UK and relocation to Brooklyn” which doesn’t sound far off. The first track “The Old House Is Gone” will aptly assist you in crafting your Summer playlist. The frenetic paced jam is full of new wave guitar and electro-pop synth that could easily soundtrack your next catamaran adventure. Certainly for fans of Cut Copy, Empire of the Sun, Strange Talk and Holy Ghost!.

St. Lucia – The Old House Is Gone (free .mp3)

On a separate note, I think we’ve pretty much ruled out St. Lucia for our October honeymoon due to travel time and hurricane season. If you have any suggestions, leave it in the comments. Seriously.

Speaking of Heavy Roc, you can now get The Knocks’ Same Old Songs cover EP for free and/or stream below:
The Knocks Same Old Songs EP The Same Old Songs EP by The Knocks

Electro-pop vets Ladytron have returned in anticipation of their latest album Gravity the Seducer to be released on 9/13. First single “White Elephants” is slightly hypnotic with a new wave feel to go with Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyos’ enticing dual vocals. Whatever they are eerily asking listeners to “surrender” to, you should probably just oblige. The trippy artwork is pretty fitting, eh?
Ladytron – White Elephant by nettwerkmusicgroup
via P4k and Nettwerk

Anything Passion Pit mentions pretty much gets my attention. Earlier on the band’s twitter, they plugged a duo named Aislyn that features PP member Ian Hultquist and his gf Sofia Degli. They have a nice little electro pop thing going on initial offering “New Soul” with plenty of glittering synth and charming musings from Degli. New age Mates of State anyone?
Stream at Aislyn – New Soul at xmusic.fm
Also check this: Freelance Whales – Generator ^ First Floor (Aislyn remix) via Hypem

Pick up Aislyn – Aislyn EP over at Amazon.

I’ve been hearing more and more about bubbling act Smokey Robotic as of late and finally received an e-mail directly last week. The newcomers just released a promising EP, Outside the Lines that dabbles in multiple genres. “Forever My Love” could easily hold its own against recent productions via Stargate, Timbaland and Red One with its electro pop appeal mixed with Chromeo/Holy Ghost! stylings. Elsewhere, “Voices” delves a little deeper with rhymes of paranoia over hypnotic snaps, pounding drums and distortion. “Most Beautiful” even gets a little soulful. Definitely looking to whats next with Smokey Robotic. Gotta love the deadmau5 inspired headgear as well. Preview Outside the Lines below. Outside The Lines EP by Smokey Robotic

“Voices” will also be featured on !llmind’s recently released new Blaps, Rhymes & Life mixtape.

Lots of new releases are coming out in the next two months, hopefully we’ll get some more music from Vonnegutt. They dropped off their latest single, “Going Home” last week at AOL’s music blog. Probably one of their most accessible tracks to date, so hopefully it will make some noise on the internetz and beyond.
Vonnegutt – Going Home

Vonnegutt Tour Dates
Nov 9 – 8:00P Sector 7G w/ 2am Club / Runner Runner Augusta, Georgia
Nov 10 – 8:00P The Plaza Theatre w/ 2AM Club & Runner Runner Orlando, FL
Nov 12 – 8:00P Knoxville Civic Coliseum w/Big Boi Knoxville, TN
Nov 24 – 8:00 Smith’s Olde Bar w/ Constellations Atlanta, Georgia
Dec 1 – 8:00P Hurricane Harry’s W/ Chiddy Bang College Station, Tx
Dec 2 – 8:00P Trees w/ Chiddy Bang Dallas, Texas
Dec 3 – 8:00P Republic Live w/ Chiddy Bang Austin, TX
Dec 6 – 8:00P House of Blues w/ Sam Adams, LA Riots Houston, TX
Dec 7 – 8:00P House of Blues w/ Sam Adams, LA Riots Dallas, TX
Dec 8 – 8:00P La Zona Rosa w/ Sam Adams, LA Riots Austin, TX
Dec 30 – 8:00P Smiths Olde Bar Atlanta, Georgia