Berlin based band White Wishes have created some smooth songs; tunes that feel good and flow effortlessly. Their 4-track E.P. Today (via Shelflife records) is a delicious listen from beginning to end, full of irresistible hooks, hazy vocals, and clean instrumentals. Pulsing and progressive, these guys have balanced that tricky line between loose and focused.

On their latest LP, Stereo Total does a good job satiating fans with a full 17 tracks, though label Kill Rock Stars notes that the band wrote 40 for the album. Now, I’m not much of a Stereo Total expert, but Baby Ouh! feels a bit more experimental than what I’ve heard from the band. From the get-go, they drop in sounds that remind me of not only Stereo Total, but artists like Deerhoof and The Fiery Furnaces. And it works.

It’s been one of those lives. We seem incapable of escaping our never-ending days and too-short nights. We are in agreement with the Mad Hatter on this one, as time won’t do a thing we ask. Suddenly, we’ve stopped. We’re sitting. We’re staring. Only in thoughtless meditation could we possibly become refreshed enough to carry on, and Entertainment for the Braindead’s latest album Roadkill allows us to do just that. Julia Kotowski’s intricately delicate melodies float in and around you, leaving you just enough room to sigh deeply and trust …

With such a nostalgia-inspiring title for Lali Puna‘s first single off her upcoming LP – the group’s first in over five years – one can’t help but reminisce on the past. I recall picking up 2004′s Faking The Books around the time of its release; I quickly became obsessed with “Micronimic”, the title track and “B-Movie”. These songs, along with selections from Neon Golden by The Notwist, came to define my music obsessions of 2004. I can see “Remember” launching Our Inventions beyond Lali Puna’s past albums, …

I’m provided enough music to warrant several new areas to highlight – it’s something I hope to expand upon this year. One item I receive on occasion is the demo track. I’ve posted a few over the years, and it’s high time I made the demo its own feature. The first art to receive Demo Reel treatment is Köln, Germany’s Blips.