CLAPS produce a sound that isn’t entirely new, but it’s one that is infectious and fun. Heavy, moody synths set the stage on “Fold”, the opening tune off the band’s EP New Science. Fronting that is a monotonous, emotive vocal tenor. Overall, it’s fairly minimal with programmed percussion, but the sound is real and possesses an aura of fullness and color. The band capitalizes on both these elements in their video for “Fold”, filmed by 612im. With CLAPS’ 80s new wave mod sound and the continual focus adjustments from the camera, “Fold” is enough to make the listener tipsy. It induces that pseudo-depressed, manically happy state somewhere between lucidity and being flat out drunk. It’s a good feeling: no forthcoming hangover.

New Science is out now on Guilt Ridden Pop.

Download: “Fold” by Claps

CLAPS- Fold from Toast Ghost on Vimeo.

Spencer McGillicutty is a pop group with a retro edge. Their unquestionably complex, catchy melodies and co-ed vocals hint of the pop of the 1950s and ’60s. Games is their sophomore release and on it they go slightly acoustic with excellent tracks like “In My Arms Again” and “Secret Best Friend”. Like the pop music of half-a-century ago, this band creates music that is highly upbeat.

Spencer McGillicutty’s multi-faceted orchestration is tambourine-heavy and features jangly guitars, an occasional horn section. If you dig the carefree pop of the 60s, with a predilection toward girl-groups of that era, you’ll easily fall in love with “Hide And Seek” and, not surprisingly, “It’s Easy To Fall In Love”. Backed by orchestration provided slew of friends, this quartet has been dubbed The cutest band in the land, and their music is fits that statement perfectly.

Download: “Secret Best Friend” by Spencer McGillicutty

[CD, 2009]

1. An Act Of Contrition
2. In My Arms Again
3. Claire Carnaby
4. Secret Best Friend
5. Give Me A Try
6. Telephone Signals
7. Hide And Seek
8. It’s Easy To Fall In Love
9. Hanging Around With Jane
10. Lock Myself Away
11. So Far

On my radar late last year, Total Babe came to dominate as a band that released one of my favorite EPs of the year. From that same label, So-Tm Records, comes Air Conditioning School. The band’s lazy acoustic folk-pop has the perfect swagger for the upcoming summer months, and “Wake Me Up” is a perfect example of this band’s ability. Like the song, which has traits common to the lo-fi and DIY communities, the video is simple and monochromatic.

The song does build as you near the midpoint; it gives the song added depth and compliments the softer moments while countering them. A hint of a steel guitar or lap slide guitar brings in a hint of country. “Wake Me Up” is a fun little track, an introduction to yet another stunning new band from Minneapolis. The song comes from Air Conditioning School’s new 2-song digital single, Wake Me Up.

Air Conditioning School: Wake Me Up [mp3]

Chris Heidman knows electronic music. Jeff Lorentzen knows R&B/hip hop flavor. Together they make UltraChorus, a digitized electro-pop frenzy that rivals the likes of Gnarls Barkley or Hot Chip. Because of the nonconforming and experimental irregularities that their debut album Ultra-Def has against modern R&B, there is an indifference in what this Minneapolis based duo should be labeled. All that’s really important to understand is that these cats have soul and can write one hell of a love song. Whatever category their qualities are dubbed, they probably exceed the necessary credentials for that three others as well.

The folksy art pop track ‘Words Kept Talking” had a good run in the net world. And it’s a great track to remember when scanning through your digital playlist. But Ultra-Def as a whole has no single highlight greater than the opening cut “Scarlet Eyes”. This wonderfully written and catchy track is for the lovestruck and dumbfounded. It’s probably the least complicated sounding song on the album. In the end, an album that is as complete as this one… well, it’s just hard to find a standout track, one that peaks above the rest. This is not a bad thing at all, given the high quality of Ultra-Def.

Chris and Jeff have something great on their hands with UltraChorus. Originality is a commodity that is not embellished enough these days. Obscurity is often used for the cause, but it’s usually too messy and complicated. These guys have a clean, smooth-edged collection of poetic dance tracks for the world. It doesn’t get much more original than that. What a concept: do something new, but do it right. If only more folks could take heed to what these vibrant planetmen have to say.

UltraChorus: Words Kept Talking [mp3]

SOTM Records [CD, 2009]

1. Scarlet Eyes
2. Words Kept Talking
3. Bestin The Father
4. Taskforce
5. HouseParty 5
6. Yucatan Peninsula
7. Keep Them, Stupid
8. Margins
9. Something Forsakes
10. Happy And Sad
11. Planetman
12. Paraset
13. Hairpin Whit Tactic

Such a confounding name, Total Babe; after all, the band is all-out indie pop. Then again, when you were a teenager, a name like Total Babe would have been perfect for your acoustic-garage-pop. But it’s highly unlikely your pop songs would have been as… well, freaking amazing as Total Babe’s. Heatwave is packed with pop greatness. With airy female vocals, hefty acoustic guitar strums, and a few complex melodies, these songs are both honest and endearing.

“Bearbones” immediately snares the listener, but when the double-time guitar enters in the more ballad-like “Short Stories”, true love is experienced. You almost feel a bit naughty – like I said, Total Babe is filled with teenagers. By the time you get to “Gary Coleman” (Aren’t they too young to know that reference?) the love turns into nostalgia; a longing for the innocence that streams through in every song on Heatwave. There’s nothing sad here, just facts and a great deal of hope.

And when it comes to the songs that explode gleefully from the speakers – an insurmountable quantity of seemingly invincible promise. Promise, joy, love, a lack of insecurities, hope, dreams, fun… After all, isn’t this what youth is all about?

Total Babe: Barebones [mp3]

Total Babe: Gary Coleman [mp3]

So TM Records [CDEP, 2009]

1. Barebones
2. (Mission Hills Country Club Wall of) Champions
3. Short Stories
4. Gary Coleman
5. Shape Up
6. Country