Anika covers Chromatics

British/German chanteuse Anika continues forward on the New-York-post-punk-no-wave-as-fronted-by-Nico vibes she began on her self-titled 2011 album.  April's self-titled EP features continued production from Portishead and Beak> alum Geoff Barrow and a funky little cover of Chromatics' "In The City."  Listen below and keep an eye out for the record from Stones Throw.

New Thee Oh Sees

I don't know what's in the water in San Francisco, but the sheer output of a lot of the garage rock bands out there can leave the mind boggled (see Ty Segall).  Thee Oh Sees, who have released a steady stream of excellent material over the last few years (and one of the best live acts in the country i might add) will be releasing their newest album "Floating Coffin" in April from Castle Face.  Listen to the mellow and fuzzy closer "Minotaur" below.

Jacco Gardner

Oh when bands recall the sounds and wonders of the sunshine and psychedelia of the 60's, it is a mixed bag. Sometimes it comes off as awful aping, and then there are those bands that manage to hit the proverbial nail on the head, sound both retro and in the now (see Dungen or Tame Impala).  Netherlands native Jacco Gardner fits in that latter group, and his new LP "Cabinet of Curiosities" is a delight.  It has elements of Brian Wilson and Syd Barrett and Donovan and all those other drug-taking, song-writing cats, paying obvious tribute to what came before but still sounds fresh.  I love it.  Get it from Trouble In Mind and listen to "The Ballad of Little Jane" below.

James Blake

Here's a new jam from James Blake's upcoming new LP "Overgrown."  "Retrograde" continues the soulful electronic rhythm and blues the guy's made a name doing.  Listen below and look for the album in April from Republic Records.

UPDATE:  The track was removed from Soundcloud.  Boo-urns!

Gibby Haynes

Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers fame is the next in a long line of awesome artists to record a 7" for Jack White and Third Man Records' blue series.  His outing features White on guitar and a cover of Adrenalin O.D.'s "Paul's Not Home."  Look for it next week and listen below.

Bonus:  If you're in Austin for SXSW and stumble upon the Third Man Records rolling record store, they will be selling a limited variant of the 7" pressed on old X-rays.  Right on.

New CHVRCHES

Here's a new one from Scotland's synth-trio CHVRCHES.  "Recover" comes from the forthcoming EP of the same name on Glassnote, and it's got the same wonderful, synthy, sing-along, mall brat anthem feel that last year's "The Mother We Share" nailed.  Listen below.

Hands

Hands create poppy, ethereal, sometimes almost island-sounding tunes that remind me of the pre-party atmosphere before the night really begins.  Grab their 7" from White Iris Records and stream both "I Want to Know" and "Exactly Sharp" below.

Tame Impala remixed by Chrome Canyon

Tame Impala's stand out track "It Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" from last year's "Lonerism" gets the remix treatment from synth artist Chrome Canyon, creating an even floatier, dreamier version of the song.  Listen and download below.

My Bloody Valentine

It's been over 20 years since shoegaze stalwarts My Bloody Valentine graced us with a new album, but the wait is finally, finally over.  No bullshit.  Yesterday, the band's new website went live with the new album, "mbv" up for sale in a variety of formats.  Sure enough, in the worldwide mad dash to hear it, the site crashed.  It's back now, and you should go purchase it right now.  Go here.  Listen to "She Found Now" below in the meantime.

Sivu

London's James Page, otherwise know as Sivu, crafts melancholy little pop songs.  His debut 7" is up for pre-order over at No Recordings (who have issued two stellar releases from Moons and Empress Of), but you can watch the video for "Better Man Than He" below.