One For The Road

Jonathan Rado – ‘Faces’

Jonathan Rado is best-known for his band Foxygen, but he’s taking a breather from that effort to record a solo album called Law and Order (out in September). The first song, “Faces” has a retro sunny-summer feel — it’s perfect for meeting someone new at your next BBQ.

Washed Out – ‘It All Feels Right’

When Ernest Green couldn't find a job as a librarian, he pulled out his laptop and started work on his bedroom chillwave project Washed Out. Following up his 2011 break-out album Within and Without, this August he returns to the dreamy, drowsy pop world with Paracosom. Somehow, it all feels right.

Alpine – ‘Gasoline’

An Australian band with a Scandinavian-influenced sound and a Swiss-sounding name, Alpine are hitting it big with the American release of their LP A is for Alpine. (Out now.) Go on a musical vacation with “Gasoline”.

Big Black Delta – ‘Side of the Road”’

If the British rock group Electric Light Orchestra had a grandchild, chances are it would sound like Big Black Delta - the solo musical project from musician Jonathan Bates. Here’s a tantalizing tease of Delta’s forthcoming album - it’s called “Side of the Road.”

We put on ‘Weight,’ courtesy SF garage rocker Mikal Cronin

Mikal Cronin cut his teeth in San Francisco's garage rock circle (see: frequent collaborator Ty Segall). In 2010, he released a very well received debut, and now his follow-up "MCII" comes out in May on Merge Records. Here's a standout single from it - "Weight" - a perfect reminder that things aren't always as heavy as we think.

Blue Hawaii – ‘Try to Be’

Don’t be fooled - indie outfit Blue Hawaii hails from Montreal, and sounds nothing like Elvis. But we can’t help falling in love with new single “Try to Be” - especially Raphaelle Standell-Preston’s hypnotic vocals. (Blue Hawaii’s album Untogether is out in April.)