Ironically, I wouldn’t first use the words “surf pop” to describe Surfer Blood, the fresh new band straight out of Florida.  However, Surfing definitely influenced everything about their album, Astro Coast.  The band has recently been the topic of conversation on indie radio stations across the nation and music blogs.  Please kick back, log off facebook, and let the hit “Swim” drift you out to sea, but don’t get caught in a rip current.  Keep it fresh.

Despite its tenure, a track I chanced upon in my iTunes library this week, “Future Primitive” was glowing with freshness and I could not deny it a drink from the fountain of youth.  The hit song from Papercuts is accompanied by a rad explorer video.  Here is “Future Primitive”, enjoy.

Yeasayer and Animal Collective seem to have their own little niche in which they sit, write music, and dominate.  Though not as popular as Beiber,  the Maryland natives pop out bizarre and indescribable records that get sufficient attention from the music world.  I might not be camping outside Amoeba Records for the their newest album, but I would consider myself a fan.  Here is one of my favorites, “My Girls” by Animal Collective.

Owen Pallett is one of the only people on the planet original enough to be a synthmaster/classical violin sporting solo artist.  With his second album “Heartland” Owen Pallett envelops the listener with an overload of foreign yet vaguely familiar melodies.  I have been converted from a critic of his hair cut and insincere falsetto to a believer in his loop pedal and symphonic arrangements.  Half a dozen shaky flip cam videos of his live performances convinced me that this kid has got some mad talent.  “Lewis Takes of His Shirt” is so unbelievably catchy that you will be belting “I’m never gunna give it to you” in your shower tonight.  Check it out, enjoy, keep it fresh.

Broken Bells was probably the most talked about band of February, and for a good reason.  Broken Bells is the brain child of The Shins very own James Mercer and Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse.  After a few listens I couldn’t shake the ever present and ever memorable lyrics, echoing into perspective and vanishing out of question. The single “The High Road” opens with a 80’s synth borderline Passion Pit and follows with a demanding guitar line and solid 4+ part vocal harmony.  Check and remember you heard it first at It’s Fresh.

The toronto, not tokyo, natives have been in the studio for 2009 and 2010 hard at work on their latest record “Champ.”  Tokyo Police Club is known for their distinct synth lines, sharp guitar licks, and rolling vocals; however, their second album “Elephant Shell” lacked the organic feel that made “A Lesson in Crime” so appealing. On the band’s blog they claimed with “Champ” they achieved the same flow and cohesiveness as their debut album “A Lesson in Crime.”  The first single from the album, “Breakneck Speed” hit the web this week free of charge on the band’s website.  “Breakneck Speed” sounds like the xx’s “Intro” with a textbook Tokyo Police Club chorus.  Enjoy “Breakneck Speed.”

The world expected great things from MGMT after their literal “Oracular Spectacular,” and I am quite sorry to report the world has been let down.  Attempting to carry on with the momentum and success of their debut album, MGMT recently began streaming their newest record “Congratulations” on their web site.  To say the least, not many will be congratulating them on “Congratulations.”  I personally, was intrigued by the teaser single “Flash Delirium” and was excited to see what new direction the band would take, but I knew from the minute I saw the pokemon-esque cover art that this will be nothing like the hits “Electric Feel” or “Kids.”  The album has been so ill received on the web that I question MGMT’s future.  Is this the end of the road for MGMT?  I’ll let you decide; after all it is you, the listeners, that determine the fate of the music industry.  Check out “Flash Delirium.”  The album is now streaming at whoismgmt.com  Stay Fresh.

London’s The xx had a big year in 2009 with the release of their self-titled debut album.  The british four piece’s first album  was released on Young Turks records and produced by the band themselves.  Crystalized, Basic Space, and Islands were the three singles that preceded their album considered by NME the #2 album of 2009.  Since the release of “xx” the band released VCR as a single on January 24 of 2010.  The record was allegedly mostly recorded at night  in the XL recordings garage studio, which would account for the isolated, sleek, whispery nature of the album.  The album’s sound ranges from distant and phantasmic (“Fantasy”) to organic and harmonic (“Basic Space”), to minimalist and melodic, featuring a toy piano synth, (“VCR”).  Overall every track is worth a listen and I highly recommend this record.  Be sure to check out “Heart skipped a beat”, “Shelter”, and “VCR”.

This danish 2-piece became the talk of the town overnight upon the release of its self-titled debut album. “Quadron” was released on Plug Research in March.  Though surprisingly young, these danes are veterans when it comes to experimental and avant garde recordings.  Coco and Robin. the band members, were formerly in the soul collective “Boom Clap Bachelors.”  The album’s influences span decades of folk, jazz, soul, and indie music.  Check out the hit “Slippin” featuring some mad hand clapping, tambourine slamming, and guitar & synth arpeggiating.

Inspired by Phil Spectre’s wall of sound, “Excuses” starts The Morning Benders sophomore album Big Echo with a way too catchy hit. What’s not to like about the berkley based band?  Is it their preppy attire?  Perfectly white telecasters? Dead on a cappella arrangements? What ever it might be I have yet to discover it.