Jonathan Hape – “Is Mine Fault?”: Does Jonathan Hape ever slow down? The answer is no. I may be way off base here, but the band that comes to mind when I hear this song is Depeche Mode – specifically the song “Dream On,” which I recall seeing on VH1 as a kid while on vacation in Florida (a very odd connection, but music does that I guess). The looping mastermind that is this particular manifestation of Hape is calming and has a satisfying buildup toward the end of the song. I’d like to place this guy against fellow Columbus looper The Saturday Giant in a one on one battle, that would be interesting.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/186005204″ /]

Death Cab For Cutie – “Black Sun”: It’s good to hear some Death Cab again. The sound is more glossy than I’m used to hearing from them – reminiscent of the current music trends for sure. Still undeniably Death Cab though. There is a very distinctive mood that Gibbard and Co. impose upon whatever direction their music takes. A robotic sounding guitar solo overlays a classic bundle of piano chords near what could maybe be described as the song. Not as strong of a lead single as “You Are a Tourist,” but perhaps this will grow on me. I am very, very curious about the overall feel of the new record.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/187946362″  /]

Stroamata – “A Fantasy”: This song’s production is a little discombobulated, but that opening riff was enough to draw me in and keep me coming back for more. This Brooklyn group humbly calls themselves a rock group, although by the sounds of this tune they are more of a “let’s do whatever the heck we want” band. The vocals soar and aren’t bound by structure. The instrumental structure and voice weave back and forth, intersecting at key moments that hit the spot.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181978824″ /]

Turtle Island – “Ouija Boys”: For the more religious among us, it has been said that Ouija Boards are NOT something to be messed with. Turtle Island says to heck with superstition and seeks to calm you down in this psychedelic groovefest. I’m not sure what an Ouija Boy is (nor do I want to know) but I am relaxed by this track. Fans of Real Estate will dig this. It’s the experimentation from Real Estate you never knew you wanted, with some Beach Boys thrown in. The mp3 is free from the stream below:

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/183416570″/]

OOFJ – “I Forgive You”: This track shimmers and true to the press releases’ description, projects an aquatic, underwater mood onto the listener. The strings section brings about a certain intensity, an urgency – almost as if the singer is drowning. The song ends abruptly and we are left to wonder about  the lyricists’ metaphorical fate.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/185739939″ /]

Heiress to Atlas – “Quantum”: Tagged on Soundcloud as “renegade synthpop,” this duo is serious and seems to prefer letting the music speak for itself. There is a certain “back to the future” 80s-esque vibe though. Not really New Wave. The vocals are much more assertive than is typical for this genre, which will help the duo to stand out. I get the sense that singer Vidya Sethu is still holding back a bit, hopefully she’ll cut loose a bit more as the project progresses.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/186237733″ /]