Everything I’ve been hearing from Washed Out‘s upcoming 12″ has been perfect.  I’m really into his unfinished aesthetic.  It looks like he’s been getting a lot of buzz from some big sites, so we’ll see if the internet can make him some $$$.

Washed Out – Belong

Washed Out – New Theory

In case you were wondering, yes, this band is just as cute as their name. A little bird introduced me to this trio, hailing from Olympia, WA, and boy am I pleased. Where to begin? Polka Dot Dot Dot features blissful harmonies, and pure simple songwriting (two out of three of these songs count handclaps, stomps and snaps as their only instruments in addition to bangin’ vocal stylings). There is something so comforting and familiar about their music, perhaps it is the old-timey feeling that permeates throughout. With each listen I am left smiling and humming to myself, and what more is left to want?

Polka Dot Dot Dot – Small Words, Bigger Lessons
Polka Dot Dot Dot – Gold Watch
Polka Dot Dot Dot – Little Finger

So I couldn’t find much information about Chico Love, but this Phoenix remix is rocking my world. Rarely am I tolerant of overly long remixes, or perhaps I just lack the attention span, but for me this one is different. It is so perfectly chilled out, that it actually feels as if every section is perfectly valid. The original has become transformed and it is rare to hear Phoenix sound so low key, but it’s a welcome variation from an already awesome song.

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Chico Love Remix)
Phoenix – Lisztomania

Some wondrous person played me some of Mayer Hawthorne‘s music earlier this summer, but it wasn’t until recently that I could put a name to the sound. Meet the man of my dreams. In his 20s (for a little while anyway), and bringing back soul in a way so real it’s as if it was never gone. The late sixties/ early seventies are my dream decade, the clothes, the music the cars, ahh. I always wish that more people were still making music like this, and heart-shaped red vinyl? Positively phenomenal. Full-length comes out Sept. 9, and I am waiting with breath that is baited.

Mayer Hawthorne – Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out
Mayer Hawthorne – Maybe So, Maybe No
Mayer Hawthorne -Maybe So, Maybe No (Children of the Night Remix)