Ariana Delawari‘s psychedelic folk is epic. Her voluble wail is filled with power and vibrato that’s rarely matched. The only voice that comes close to possessing the strength of Delawari’s is perhaps that of Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond). There’s a lot of passion behind “San Francisco” that keeps the song unquestionably fresh, and it’s a sound that populates her debut LP, Lion of Panjshir.

Delawari’s mark was made between Los Angeles and Kabul, Afghanistan. Ariana mixes a common sound — consistent vocal pattern backed by folk-rock guitar and fierce percussion — with sounds more familiar to her Afghan heritage. The sounds created are astonishingly brilliant, from “San Francisco” to the heartfelt psychedelic noise in “Be Gone Taliban”.

The process in which Delawari recorded Lion of Panjshir is fit for legend. Recorded in her parents’ home under protection by two armed guards (weapon of choice: AK-47), the press release goes on to describe the threat people like Delawari experience under such ruthless rule:

They collaborated with three Afghan Ustads: a tabla player, a rabab player, and an 88-year-old dilruba player, the last living master of his instrument. Under previous Taliban rule these talented musicians had once dismantled and hid their instruments due to a ban on music.

Add to it the fact that the album was mixed by David Lynch (who also produced “Suspend Me”), and you can consider your mind blown.

Lion of Panjshir is out now, but before you rush out and pick up a copy, know that Manimal Vinyl will be giving it wax treatment this spring. If you’re like me, you’ll know it’s worth the wait.

Ariana Delawari: San Francisco [mp3]

Ariana Delawari: Be Gone Taliban [mp3]

Also, here are some items you won’t want to miss… see Ariana discuss her new album, and catch this David Lynch directed promo for Lion of Panjshir.

I’m not typically one to enjoy your run-of-the-mill music video that merely shows the band performing, but it’s hard to not like this video. Warpaint consists of three quite attractive ladies who like to perform in the most seductive of ways, and who are supported by an outstanding percussionist. Put that theme to excellent shoegaze mixed by the one and only John Frusciante, and that’s a mix anyone should be able to get into.

Sure, this isn’t “Stars”, which was one of my favorite videos from last year, but it’s still pretty damn good. “Elephants” can be found on Exquisite Corpse, out now on Manimal Vinyl.

Warpaint: Elephants [mp3]

Warpaint combines hypnotic, surreal vocals with a backing sound somewhere between psychedelic and shoegaze. It would be calming were it not for the anxious tension in the instrumentation, continually pressing forward. They use it well, beginning “Stars” with a simple minimalistic guitar. Warpaint pairs this dreamy sound with a video muddled in darkness, yet at the same time lucid. Not until two minutes in do we hear percussion, which leads the song into a lengthy, swirling instrumental bout of shoegaze before ever so slowly building, but never quite reaching that cataclysmal climax. Instead, Warpaint leaves directors Adam Harding and Burke Roberts to do just that – and they do.

“Stars”, along with the two tracks below, “Elephants” and “Billie Holiday”, can be found on Warpaints’ EP Exquisite Corpse, out this month on Manimal Vinyl.

Warpaint: Elephants [mp3]

Warpaint: Billie Holiday [mp3]

Warpaint – Stars from Adam Harding on Vimeo.