Transparent's Jack Shankly has called this "slapdash suburban slacker-pop", and as usual we're absolutely with him on this, even suggesting a new sub-genre for that matter. Of course, in fact Samuel Franklin aka Fluffy Lumbers makes the same hazy lo-fi pop that so many are into right now in the Land of the Free, so maybe there's actually no need to invent new names. Moreover, it's really not that wondrous that dear Sam has jumped on this particular bandwagon, too, as he's hailing from Ridgewood, that certain New Jersey community which has raised the pals of Real Estate/Alex Bleeker and the Freaks/Ducktails, and Julian Lynch. To complete the picture, they all have shared spots on the last two compilations of the marvelous New Jersey label Underwater Peoples.

Compared to his Ridgewood fellows, Franklin's tunes might be describes as slightly less laid back, showing an overall crispier feel without abandoning that summery ambience we all need so desperately right now.

Despite being featured on the Underwater Peoples compilations, Weird Hug Records released his debut Police Cruisers EP last year (it's sold out already), and the tiny Brooklyn imprint Group Tightener is about to put out the Harry Dolland's 7 inch, due this month. Fluffy Lumbers has also announced his first full length for later this year, apparently named Gradeschool Fantasy.

Transparent's Jack Shankly has called this "slapdash suburban slacker-pop", and as usual we're absolutely with him on this, even suggesting a new sub-genre for that matter. Of course, in fact Samuel Franklin aka Fluffy Lumbers makes the same hazy lo-fi pop that so many are into right now in the Land of the Free, so maybe there's actually no need to invent new names. Moreover, it's really not that wondrous that dear Sam has jumped on this particular bandwagon, too, as he's hailing from Ridgewood, that certain New Jersey community which has raised the pals of Real Estate/Alex Bleeker and the Freaks/Ducktails, and Julian Lynch. To complete the picture, they all have shared spots on the last two compilations of the marvelous New Jersey label Underwater Peoples.

Compared to his Ridgewood fellows, Franklin's tunes might be describes as slightly less laid back, showing an overall crispier feel without abandoning that summery ambience we all need so desperately right now.

Despite being featured on the Underwater Peoples compilations, Weird Hug Records released his debut Police Cruisers EP last year (it's sold out already), and the tiny Brooklyn imprint Group Tightener is about to put out the Harry Dolland's 7 inch, due this month. Fluffy Lumbers has also announced his first full length for later this year, apparently named Gradeschool Fantasy.

I don't know what the two sisters Hannah and Collette Thurow, hailing from London, England, have done in their lives up until now, but actually it's not all that important. For now, it's fine two know that they've very recently formed 2:54, a musical project apparently devoted to tunes with a haunting yet beautiful feel to it. The first track they've posted on their myspace, Creeping, is marked by the sisters' sweet voices singing over a crescendo guitar fuzz, with precise percussion and a very reduced bass line that's slightly reminiscent of fellow British The xx. A remarkable song, and that's all we need to know.

I don't know what the two sisters Hannah and Collette Thurow, hailing from London, England, have done in their lives up until now, but actually it's not all that important. For now, it's fine two know that they've very recently formed 2:54, a musical project apparently devoted to tunes with a haunting yet beautiful feel to it. The first track they've posted on their myspace, Creeping, is marked by the sisters' sweet voices singing over a crescendo guitar fuzz, with precise percussion and a very reduced bass line that's slightly reminiscent of fellow British The xx. A remarkable song, and that's all we need to know.

The inevitable thing has happened. In 2010, the influence of MPP-era Animal Collective is finally and massively starting to show. In particular if you're from or currently living in Brooklyn, and for whatever reason don't feel the urge to embrace Woodsist-style lo-fi pop extravaganza, sparkling psych-pop is the thing to go for right now.

Probably along with the equally wonderful Tanlines, the three guys that form Keepaway are the ones that have learned their lessons in the most promising manner, as they don't attempt to hide away their devotion while at the same time emancipating themselves from all too obvious Animal Collective references. After all, Keepaway's songs seem to be heading slightly more towards traditional indie rock despite all apparent weirdness.

Their five-track debut EP Baby Style will be out next week on Lefse Records.

The inevitable thing has happened. In 2010, the influence of MPP-era Animal Collective is finally and massively starting to show. In particular if you're from or currently living in Brooklyn, and for whatever reason don't feel the urge to embrace Woodsist-style lo-fi pop extravaganza, sparkling psych-pop is the thing to go for right now.

Probably along with the equally wonderful Tanlines, the three guys that form Keepaway are the ones that have learned their lessons in the most promising manner, as they don't attempt to hide away their devotion while at the same time emancipating themselves from all too obvious Animal Collective references. After all, Keepaway's songs seem to be heading slightly more towards traditional indie rock despite all apparent weirdness.

Their five-track debut EP Baby Style will be out next week on Lefse Records.

Sometimes, you'll find your chances right in front of your doorstep. When some day last year Sam Willis aka Allez-Allez made a remix of one of Alessio Natalizia's (who produces under the by now pretty well known moniker Banjo or Freakout) track Mr No, the two Londoners discovered their shared musical ambitions, which led to the decision to form a creative collaboration, an exploration into the depths of electronic music. The duo named themselves as Walls, and it's walls of sound indeed. Dreamy, shoegazy drone, at times reminiscent of Ulrich Schnauss if he was more focused on straight rythms, at other times pretty close of what the Fuck Buttons have been putting out lately. Despite all the noisy synth patterns and guitar work, the two musicians make sure never to lose a sense of melody, which makes their songs an utterly pleasant listening experience.

Walls' self-titled debut album is out now on Cologne-based Kompakt label, which appears to continuously open itself to non-techno music.

Sometimes, you'll find your chances right in front of your doorstep. When some day last year Sam Willis aka Allez-Allez made a remix of one of Alessio Natalizia's (who produces under the by now pretty well known moniker Banjo or Freakout) track Mr No, the two Londoners discovered their shared musical ambitions, which led to the decision to form a creative collaboration, an exploration into the depths of electronic music. The duo named themselves as Walls, and it's walls of sound indeed. Dreamy, shoegazy drone, at times reminiscent of Ulrich Schnauss if he was more focused on straight rythms, at other times pretty close of what the Fuck Buttons have been putting out lately. Despite all the noisy synth patterns and guitar work, the two musicians make sure never to lose a sense of melody, which makes their songs an utterly pleasant listening experience.

Walls' self-titled debut album is out now on Cologne-based Kompakt label, which appears to continuously open itself to non-techno music.

I will abstain from starting a pointless discussion about why there are so many musical endeavours this year that feature members of other hotly tipped bands, but in any case right now it appears seriously in vogue to act out your deepest creative desires by gathering some like-minded pals around you and just start playing. Needless to repeat, most of these desires are deeply drenched in hazy retrospection.

Among those, LA-based Dunes is definitely one of the actually exciting projects popping out the indie draft pool. In 2009, Mark Greshowak of Seattle art-punk trio Talbot Tagora, Kate Hall of the now-defunct LA noise girls Mika Miko, and Austin all-female rioters Finally Punk's Stephanie Chan met in the City of Angels to write music quite far away from their respective musical home turfs, and recorded it right away in their living room. Though still heavily embracing noise, their songs come quite close to 80s dream pop heroes like Siouxsie and the Banshees or the Cocteau Twins. Their myspace files the music under "easy listening" and "psychedelic", which is actually quite accurate, as its underlying ethereal and woozy vibe makes it perfect for lazy summer afternoons spent in open fields while gazing at clouds in the sky.

Dunes' self-titled debut EP will very soon be released on our favourite Brooklyn imprint Mexican Summer.

I will abstain from starting a pointless discussion about why there are so many musical endeavours this year that feature members of other hotly tipped bands, but in any case right now it appears seriously in vogue to act out your deepest creative desires by gathering some like-minded pals around you and just start playing. Needless to repeat, most of these desires are deeply drenched in hazy retrospection.

Among those, LA-based Dunes is definitely one of the actually exciting projects popping out the indie draft pool. In 2009, Mark Greshowak of Seattle art-punk trio Talbot Tagora, Kate Hall of the now-defunct LA noise girls Mika Miko, and Austin all-female rioters Finally Punk's Stephanie Chan met in the City of Angels to write music quite far away from their respective musical home turfs, and recorded it right away in their living room. Though still heavily embracing noise, their songs come quite close to 80s dream pop heroes like Siouxsie and the Banshees or the Cocteau Twins. Their myspace files the music under "easy listening" and "psychedelic", which is actually quite accurate, as its underlying ethereal and woozy vibe makes it perfect for lazy summer afternoons spent in open fields while gazing at clouds in the sky.

Dunes' self-titled debut EP will very soon be released on our favourite Brooklyn imprint Mexican Summer.

Evan Abeele: a neo-classical composer. Denise Nouvion: a photographer. A recording name that's a dedication to German/British composer Max Richter's seminal work. Canadian duo Memoryhouse may at first listen sound like a lot of bands or projects in 2010, dreamy, lo-fi, based on blurred synth patterns evoking distant memories of youth, music reminiscent of an old photograph's fading colours. Still, there's something that detaches their songs from this year's predominant chillwave hype, and it's most likely the fact that we're talking about actual songs here. Memoryhouse are not only aiming at creating a certain atmosphere that carries the listener to a state somewhere between sleeping and being awake (the association that inspired critic godfather David Keenan to come up with the term "hypnagogic pop" in The Wire #306), but it's about having something to say, too. The washed-out melodies never get carried away, and above all, it's Nouvion's beautifully clear voice that makes the duo something very special among the rising bedroom projects, actually leaving Memoryhouse closer to Beach House than to Memory Tapes.

In a way underlining their intentions, their song Lately (Deuxième) is built on a sample of John Brion's Phone Call from his soundtrack for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the movie par excellence about the fragile nature of human memories. The new official video for the song, directed by Church and Steak, is a symbol-laden masterpiece, too.

In a new version, Abeele has removed the sample, without taking away the song's magic feel. Memoryhouse have announced the release of their aptly titled first full-length Looms of Youth for sometime this fall. Their wonderful debut EP The Years is still available as a free download via Arcade Sound.

Edit: Inflated Records has kindly asked me to announce that in addition to today's video premiere, the label is putting out Lately as a 7 inch, and apparently it's their first-ever release. And of course, it's a pleasure. So go here and pre-order the single, and you'll be blessed with a Teengirl Fantasy remix on the b side which is, experience tells us, worth it.

Evan Abeele: a neo-classical composer. Denise Nouvion: a photographer. A recording name that's a dedication to German/British composer Max Richter's seminal work. Canadian duo Memoryhouse may at first listen sound like a lot of bands or projects in 2010, dreamy, lo-fi, based on blurred synth patterns evoking distant memories of youth, music reminiscent of an old photograph's fading colours. Still, there's something that detaches their songs from this year's predominant chillwave hype, and it's most likely the fact that we're talking about actual songs here. Memoryhouse are not only aiming at creating a certain atmosphere that carries the listener to a state somewhere between sleeping and being awake (the association that inspired critic godfather David Keenan to come up with the term "hypnagogic pop" in The Wire #306), but it's about having something to say, too. The washed-out melodies never get carried away, and above all, it's Nouvion's beautifully clear voice that makes the duo something very special among the rising bedroom projects, actually leaving Memoryhouse closer to Beach House than to Memory Tapes.

In a way underlining their intentions, their song Lately (Deuxième) is built on a sample of John Brion's Phone Call from his soundtrack for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the movie par excellence about the fragile nature of human memories. The new official video for the song, directed by Church and Steak, is a symbol-laden masterpiece, too.

In a new version, Abeele has removed the sample, without taking away the song's magic feel. Memoryhouse have announced the release of their aptly titled first full-length Looms of Youth for sometime this fall. Their wonderful debut EP The Years is still available as a free download via Arcade Sound.

Edit: Inflated Records has kindly asked me to announce that in addition to today's video premiere, the label is putting out Lately as a 7 inch, and apparently it's their first-ever release. And of course, it's a pleasure. So go here and pre-order the single, and you'll be blessed with a Teengirl Fantasy remix on the b side which is, experience tells us, worth it.

Cherish your siblings. If you listen to this guy's songs, you can't help but thinking that he obviously likes what his older brother and his pals are doing. And honestly, who wouldn't if your older brother was Joshua Tillman, drummer of the mighty Fleet Foxes? Exactly.

Pearly Gate Music is the band or rather musical project of Zach Tillman, and almost every note he plays sounds like some mystic outtake of one of the Foxes' earlier sessions. Of course that's quite a bit of an overstatement, as there are clear-cut distinctions between the two artistic endeavours. Still, it's remarkable to see how Zach, too, uses the structures and patterns of traditional American folk music to come up with something almost transcendentally ethereal. And just like the Fleet Foxes' debut, the result are songs incredibly intriguing from the first listen that still somehow manage to grow every time you come back to the LP. So, it's not enough to state that if you like the Fleet Foxes, you'll enjoy Pearly Gate Music, too (though that's true beyond doubt), but we're in fact talking about one of this year's great debuts here.

By the way, apparently we're also witnessing quite intact family relationships, as Joshua plays drums for his brother when he's performing, and at the same time Zach supports his brother as bass player on his touring band when being on the road with his own solo project. Happy family.

Pearly Gate Music's self-titled debut album will be released by Seattle's Barsuk Records and is due May 18.

Cherish your siblings. If you listen to this guy's songs, you can't help but thinking that he obviously likes what his older brother and his pals are doing. And honestly, who wouldn't if your older brother was Joshua Tillman, drummer of the mighty Fleet Foxes? Exactly.

Pearly Gate Music is the band or rather musical project of Zach Tillman, and almost every note he plays sounds like some mystic outtake of one of the Foxes' earlier sessions. Of course that's quite a bit of an overstatement, as there are clear-cut distinctions between the two artistic endeavours. Still, it's remarkable to see how Zach, too, uses the structures and patterns of traditional American folk music to come up with something almost transcendentally ethereal. And just like the Fleet Foxes' debut, the result are songs incredibly intriguing from the first listen that still somehow manage to grow every time you come back to the LP. So, it's not enough to state that if you like the Fleet Foxes, you'll enjoy Pearly Gate Music, too (though that's true beyond doubt), but we're in fact talking about one of this year's great debuts here.

By the way, apparently we're also witnessing quite intact family relationships, as Joshua plays drums for his brother when he's performing, and at the same time Zach supports his brother as bass player on his touring band when being on the road with his own solo project. Happy family.

Pearly Gate Music's self-titled debut album will be released by Seattle's Barsuk Records and is due May 18.