Chevalier Avant Garde

European ex-pats by way of Montreal duo Chevalier Avant Garde just released their debut LP "Heterotopias" on Skrot Up Records. It is a pop delight.

"A little bit of Maus, a little bit of Merritt and a little arpegiation fuse into what would be crystalline pop if that didn’t conjure something cool and unapproachable rather than the cosy basement club of our past, all warm and inviting against the harsh winter rain."

Sounds like you want to listen to it right now, huh? But it here, and listen to "Axion" and "Young" below. Hooray!

Chevalier Avant Garde - Axion by Skrot Up

Chevalier Avant Garde - Young by Skrot Up

Steve Moore - Enhanced Humanoid

Check out "Enhanced Humanoid," the latest jam from synth-prog rock weirdo Steve Moore, soon to be released on a split 12" with the other half of Zombi, AE Paterra (otherwise known as Majeure). Part Wendy Carlos, part Goblin, part John Carpenter, and all up in your face. You can grab the "Brainstorms" 12" next month from Temporary Residence.

Enhanced Humanoid by steve moore

Starving Weirdos

Shit's about to get real. "Land Lines," the new LP from California's Starving Weirdos is a spiritual, worldly tour de force that strikes the eardrums like a sonic boom. Chants sway, chimes rings, soft vocals swirl in a heavenly mix. You are no longer the individual. You are now part of the hive mind. You just drank the Kool-Aid. Check out the band-made video for album opener "In Our Way" below and download the track for free at Amish Records. The album's due out early next year.

Death Grips

Aggressive rapping vocals from MC Ride pushing through the cacophony of Zach Hill's industrial drumming, curt, intense, and unsettling, but almost mantra-like in it's way. "Ex Military" feels heavy and evil, but once the beast gets roaring, it's impossible to ignore. Download the mixtape for free from Thirdworlds and listen to the whole thing below.

Death Grips - Exmilitary by deathgrips

Goitia Deitz

The German part of my heritage loves to rear its face from time to time, hence the beer drinking and love of Krautrock. And it's getting into full form with the delicious Christmas ale that i'm currently imbibing and the newest release from Brooklyn duo Goitia Deitz. The "Romance/Coma" 7" weaves and bops along like you're cruising along the Autobahn. Here's what the label has to say about it:

"Behind the pairs shrouded persona are two DJs and producers that have been collaborating as Goitia Deitz for the past year. Their recorded experiments in minimal electronics hint towards an extensive record collection and a shared bonding over their love of Krautrock, Kosmische and Italo."

Get it from Discerror Recordings and listen to the jams below.

GOITIA DEITZ - Romance/Coma by DiscError Recordings

Cities Aviv

Better late than never. Earlier this year, Memphis rapper Cities Aviv released the internet-only album "Digital Lows" (available at here for $5 download). It got neglected around the incubator...i don't know why. We were probably really too hot or something at the time. At any rate, it's a superb little album, and worth a listen to with it's hazy, soothing production and stoned vocals. Aaahhhh. Listen to "Float On" below. Yes, he's sampling Modest Mouse.

Float On - cities aviv by slankie

Orangewood

Here's some electro-pop jams from Austin's Orangewood that feel like they're coming at you straight outta 1984 courtesy of the group's bandcamp page. Enjoy.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' upcoming score for David Fincher's "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo," is sure to be an atmospheric, creepy opus, and it will be available in a number of formats at year's end, from the usual digital download to a deluxe 6 LP autographed version for crazy people. You can grab a 6 track sampler at Reznor's Null Corporation imprint for the price of an email. Considering how good "The Social Network" score was, it would probably behoove you to check this one out.

Blut Aus Nord

I would never consider myself to be a metal connoisseur by any measure. At best, i'm a periodic dabbler in that which would blow out eardrums and bash my face in, generally sticking with the stoner stuff or the triumphant metal of the 1980's. That being said, if you're looking for something a little different, check out the black metal madness of France's one man band Blut Aus Nord. His album "777: The Desanctification" is an engaging listen, and it makes me want to paint a skull on my face, dress in black, write my name in a weird font nobody can read, and burn down churches...French churches. Listen to "Epitome VIII" below and get the record from Debemur Morti.

Blut Aus Nord - Epitome VIII by porraqueisso

Lana Del Rey - Born 2 Die

Take a listen to the title track from Lana Del Rey's "Born 2 Die," due in January. Evidently, an official video is due in the near future, but i will say that this still shot is somewhat hypnotizing.