Concord Drumm

Concord Drumm are a new, Vancouver based band whose style is eclectic to say the least. Their music is bathed in synths and reverb, and takes influence from an interesting mix of dream pop, house, hip-hop and chillwave.  The band are currently in the process of releasing their first EP, titled Hotels purely because the EP was recorded in a series of hotel rooms across Canada. Below you can stream Wouldn't Say; a track taken from the new EP, as well as a nice remix of The xx's Fantasy which you can also download for free.

The xx

The most exciting release of the day had to come from The xx, it was probably also the most blogged but it's really something I can't ignore. The free EP contains this magnificent rework of Sunset by the bands very own Jamie xx. Listen below:

John Talabot & Pional

I think it goes without saying that both Coexist & John Talabot & Pional's album Fin were highlight releases from this year. JT & Pional are currently supporting The xx on tour and with that comes this stunning remix of Chained in which homage is paid to The Streets Blinded By the Lights. Stream below:

Songs of 2012: Part 1

I know you probably all have these end of year lists coming out your ears by now, but I'm quite a fan of the whole list format & thought I'd share with you 20 songs from 2012 that I don't think I'll ever forget.  The whole numerical thing was too much for me so they're not in any particular order, it's more my idea of a perfect playlist than anything. Listen to part 1 below, thoughts appreciated :



Grimes
Genesis Visions



Slime
Bruised (feat. Tamara Quaddomi) Increases II




THEESatisfacton
QueenS awE NaturalE



The xx
Reunion Coexist



Kwes.
Bashful Meantime EP



Daphni 
Yes, I Know Jiaolong



Jai Paul
Jasmine Single




Labyrinth Ear 
Amber Apparitions EP



Odesza 
How Did I Get Here Summer's Gone



Alt-J
Tessellate An Awesome Wave

The xx

You´ve probably heard it already, but just incase you haven´t - or even if you have and you just want to hear it again - stream Angels the first single to be taken from The xx´s forthcoming second album Coexist right here. It´s pretty amazing:

Snakadaktal

This track is super interesting, it's from a Melbourne band called Snakadaktal and it's called Dance Bear. It seesaws between these soft verses that could easily be mistaken for a cut from an xx album and an explosive chorus which I have to admit kind of caught me by surprise a little when I first heard it. But that whole contrast works really well, it's a blending of styles which I don 't think can be pulled off too easy by most, but Snakadaktal have it down to perfection. Stream Dance Bear below:

xMas

Merry Christmas to all of you. My gift to you? A new demo from The xx - it's titled as 'open eyes' and it's a hint that we'll be in for a second album as phenomenal as the first from the band this coming year. Peace. Love. Enjoy: