With more recently-released 7″ singles, you never really know if it’s 33 & 1/3 RPM or 45 RPM. Many do not say. With this single, I started out on 33 & 1/3 and it took me a moment to realize it should have been on 45. That’s the beauty of Animal Collective: it could almost work on both levels. Animal Collective is one of those special groups that will never hit mainstream, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good music. The group’s distinct sound is made …

Oh I like this. Frightened Rabbit is slated to release a new single in mid-November on FatCat Records, and “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” is the a-side. Its a deep and powerful song, filled with a fair share of repetition and immense emotion – yet the song is wholeheartedly upbeat. The focus is Scott Hutchinson and his deep melodic vocals; the dark performance hall and flashlight-lighting provide an excellent effect. You might miss it the first listen, but “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” has …

It’s astonishing how earnest and endearing a lone man with a guitar can be. On occasion, such an artist comes along that can move people based on this minimalism. Tom Brosseau has the capabilities to do so, and his latest LP, Posthumous Success proves it. Opening tune “Favourite Colour Blue” includes a rambling guitar and folk-worthy howls.

Pleasant solo acoustic folk acts are a dime a dozen, but few ever break the tradition of mediocrity to reach out and above the others as they fall. Immediately, one has to think of Will Oldham and his empire of monikers. But Oldham will not reign supreme forever. Quickly approaching his trail o’ dust is David Karsten Daniels (MySpace), thanks to his — dare we call it epic — 2008 folk release Fear Of Flying.

Written by Fense
Silje Nes is a Norwegian artist whose songs are masqueraded as minimal pop gems. Her voice is high pitched and sometimes childish, but the music she makes displays an inherent knowledge of songcraft, from the experimental “Over All” to the softly romantic “Drown”.