Distractions plays an intense style of pop that’s dark and brooding. Amidst ringing guitars and synths is front-man Tom Owens’ deep tenor vocals. They would seem to dominate Dark Green Sea, but they do not; instead they complement and occasionally contrast with the instrumentation that accompany them. If anything, Distractions’ sound is a nod to Scott Walker’s weirdness, with the epic greatness of Phil Spectre’s early work, all while enclosing it in an 80s post-punk sound.

Twin Sister pushes out one atmospheric pop song after another on Color Your Life, the band’s second EP. Opening tune “The Other Side Of Your Face” begins smooth and soft, but gradually grows into a minimalistic, calming fuzz drone by the end of the song. One part post-rock jam and one part electro-shoe-gaze drone, Twin Sister’s music flirts awkwardly between the hip, nerdy teen girl and the socially inept dweeb she once was. The insecurity is all for show. “All Around And Away We Go” adds …

Earning best album of the year is a notable feat, one not to take lightly. But to garner such a cherished spot, and that from a noted collective like La Blogoteque, without having a “proper” release is something else altogether. Well, Forest Fire is ready to give Survival, the recipient of La Blogoteque’s best album of 2008, that proper release via new label Infinite Best. And the first single off the album is “Fortune Teller”.