http://bigtreesings.com

Now Attract
This is a groovy electro tune, very much in the spirit of the times. Think M83 or Washed out -- it has that kind of heavily laptoptronic sound, combined with guitar and effected vocals. I Really like the second half, where the artist layers in some faster beats, something a little more Roni Size than is usual for the post-M83 world. A nice addition.

http://leonlouder.bandcamp.com/album/now-attract

Tell Me Why
This is a Weezer-esque indie pop tune. The verses are slow and pretty, the vocalist singing in a slightly nasally voice over light instrumentation... and then on the chorus everyone hits their overdrive pedal and the singer wails away. Basically, this is a ballad done in the style of My Name Is Jonas and sung to someone who is an asshole. "You're not fooling anyone". Indeed. What's not to like?

https://www.facebook.com/wolvesd
http://dwolves.bandcamp.com/

Needles and Pins
This is a decent guitar pop tune, but the vocalist really sounds like the singer from Adorable. It is a nice, rich voice, with some natural reverb that pairs nicely with the chiming guitar. The song itself ebbs and flows well. Good pop music.

Anastasia
MayMay is a Portland artist who released the excellent LP And So I Place You In the Setting Sun last year. The Spookfish is a NYC producer that Ms. Simmons collaborated with to great effect. There is just this one song, streaming on SoundCloud, but it is really nice. There is a tock-tock beat, light meandering keys, and her luscious voice. Light drums and some faint guitar come in, as Simmons wails away. This is just over 2 minutes, but it is really good. I continue to be impressed with Ms. Simmons.

https://soundcloud.com/maymay_thespookfish

Leaving for a Day
This Swedish act takes its name from a Charles Bukowski book, which earns them bonus points in my book. (Please note, there is also a Canadian punk band with the same name!) Now, one would expect a Bukowski-named band to be somewhat dark, but instead these Swedes make a very contemporary type of Swedish twee pop. I bet Chuck would have disapproved, and then thrown an empty whiskey bottle at them… However, this tune is excellent. It saunters along with a great swaying rhythm, layers of voice (the singer has a nice, rich voice), horns, and tinkling xylophone. Fun, light Swedish pop.

Reptilians
This is an odd song with many different parts, but it moves at a good pace, has a Sweet Jane bass breakdown, a Dennis DeYoung keyboard freakout (right at the end), and is generally fun. My only complaint is the band tends to want to try and harmonize while singing in falsetto. That is, to be honest, really annoying. The music is great, and they have some interesting ideas. If only they would rethink the vocals...

https://soundcloud.com/starfucker_usa
http://strfkrmusic.com/