One of my favorite elements of shoegaze is its tendency to combine monumental, spacey guitar riffs with dreamy, oft wispy vocals. Conduits excel at this pairing on their new track “Top of the Hill”. Likewise, the typical shoegaze darkness persists, all encompassing but not entirely overwhelming. There’s energy here, but it’s not the torment so often found in post-rock.

Oddly enough, the voice is that of Jenna Morrison (Son, Ambulance), paired with the guitar meanderings of JJ Idt and Nate Mickish, the bass of Mike Overfield, keys by Patrick Newbery, and percussion form Roger Lewis to round out the band.

Conduits will release their self-titled debut on March 21 courtesy Team Love.

Download: “Top of the Hill” by Conduits

Thunder Power seems content to just dish out EPs, having given us quite a few since they debuted in 2008 with Love Yourself. A split between Thunder Power and The 1959 Hat Company, Hearts Intersect is their fourth proper EP, and it hits in early March via Slumber Party Records.

Honestly, “Heartifact” is Thunder Power’s strongest tune since “Take A Hike” and “Casanova” off Love Yourself. Their second and third EPs, Friend Ships and And Everything After… respectively, were solid in their own right, but they failed to capture that powerful got-your-attention tune. The song finds the band’s male vocal counterpart taking the lead (for those unfamiliar with this band, Thunder Power often switches between male- and female-fronted vocals). With him in front and her taking back-up, Thunder Power crafts delicate, lovable central US folk-pop.

For all I care, Thunder Power never has to release a full-length as long as they keep dishing out power singles like “Heartifact” and EPs like Love Yourself and Heart Intersect.

Thunder Power: Heartifact [mp3]

Thunder Power also hits the road in March. Check out the dates below, and visit their MySpace page as more SXSW dates will be announced soon.

03.07: O’Leaver’s Pub in Omaha, NE
03.12: The Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS
03.13: NX35 Music Conferette in Denton, TX
03.14: NX35 Music Conferette in Denton, TX
03.16: The Parlor in Austin, TX

Capgun Coup‘s pure pop sensibilities are thwarted by a distorted fuzz in every element of “Bad Bands”, the first single off their new LP, Maudlin. Yet without it the song wouldn’t have the energy in the crazy jangly guitars and pointed percussion. This energy is channeled through the raucous vocal shouts of Bad bands are my favorite bands and the wild California surf guitar solo that bows out the song. Fitting the noise-pop sub-genre, Capgun Coup returns to the era of garage so inherent in the greats of today. And with “Bad Bands” they demonstrate an excellence in a genre favored by an extraordinary number of hype bands this year.

The song, along with the entire Maudlin album, was recorded live in a room as a group and produced by AJ Mogis. They’re calling it a “homage to Capgun Coup’s renowned energetic performances at house parties and Hotel Frank.” Maudlin arrives tomorrow via Team Love Records.

Capgun Coup: Bad Bands [mp3]