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If you've never heard the name Stalley before this post, I'm not surprised. The most recent addition to Maybach Music Group's laid back demeanor is one easily overlooked in comparison to the flash of his fellow emcees. However you would be greatly missing out on one of the most slept on talents in hip hop today if you did not pay close attention to the Ohio-bred rappers debut album, Lincoln Way Nights.

Over a variety of impressively produced instrumentals, the young artist displays a sense of maturity both in flow and content, rare to see in todays current rap scene. Touching on his roots coming out of the Midwest, Stalley speaks about his reality- the importance of cars, his history with women, and the ever-present wariness towards those around him.

The fourth track on the album, "330" is an excellent representation of Stalley's skillful form of lyricism, as he wraps the anthem for his home town around a heavily-bass influenced instrumental. He does not attempt to attack the track, rather, allows his flow and the beat to seemingly fuse, creating incredible harmony and displaying a sense of obvious care towards the music.

"She Hates the Bass", a dreamy track on which Stalley talks about the sound system within his car, and the disgust his girl has for it makes the ninth of the album. The vibe that he is sharing an important part of himself is evident, verbally placing a heavily detailed description of his ride, and the abuse its speakers shed on the world. 

Stalley is a talent to watch in the year 2012. After joining the powerhouse which is MMG, there is no doubt he will be gaining recognition fast within the hip hop world. One can only hope his later projects live up to Lincoln Way Nights.

Listen to "330" from Stalley -

Said The Whale has a distinct jangle-poppy and indie pop sound which was shown off in an concise and fun manner in the New Brighton EP. The Vancouver-based band does this through 4 quick songs with a profoundly upbeat and twangy guitar sound. These guitars are accompanied with an entrancing and swooning chorus to be found on each track.

The title track opens the album and it’s a high energy poppy track that has a very sing-along chorus that is accompanied by a heavy drum and delicate piano playing over the chorus. The album’s lyrical content is very good in the way it relates the pressures of loving of your hometown, but also wanting expand beyond it via individualism.

The 2^nd track, “Sandy Bay Fishing Song”, is very reminiscent of a Decemberists song. It has a nautical theme and is filled with harmonies that have a soulful and whining sound, all accompanied by a spastic and ringing guitar sound. It changes tempo a lot and is exciting throughout. Definitely the standout track from the small collection.

“Lines” is a decent and basic indie-pop song, it’s a very good bridge from the up-tempo pace set in the first 2 songs to the folky and slow song that closes out the EP.

“Little Bird” is a beautiful folk song that tells the story of a newfound love. It starts off on acoustic guitar and slowly leads to a xylophone playing in the chorus.

It’s a fantastic close to a well put together EP. It’s definitely a symbol of things to come for the band and will definitely build a great deal of excitement towards their future projects.

          The young and hard rocking two man band, Death Letters, released their newest album, Post-Historic, and deserve two thumbs up for their performance and diversity of melodies. 

          Singer/guitarist Duende Ariza Lora, and drummer Victor Brandt really pulled it together to create something different for themselves, and their audience.

          They strayed from their usual punk-rock influences and seem to have created an entirely new vibe.  They incorporate a lot of mellowed out jam sessions throughout the album, and also some heavier alternative rock portions. If you’re looking for one of those albums that flows smoothly from one track to the next, and keeps your mood changing like the Beatles’ Abbey Road, this is it.

          Track 8 on their album Post-Historic perfectly displays the diversity that Duende and Victor create in this album.  I Wish I Could Steal a Sunset starts off with heavy garage-band like instrumentals and dominating vocals, then transitions to a slow jam session with soft but penetrating lyricism, and finishes off heavier than it began.  Some softer piano parts are also incorporated into their music on this album, which adds an entirely new dimension to their overall sound.

Listen to "I Wish I Could Steal a Sunset" -

          Fighting off resistance from disapproving listeners alike, Bombay Bicycle Club is back with a third album that seems to have finally captured the bands true essence. That, or they’re great fakers.

          “Your Eyes,” is a steady builder that hooks you with a familiar sound.  The singer begs and pleads for sanity through the simple request that he bears on the subject, or love interest, to merely humor him.  What listeners may not grasp is the obvious Ben Allen production (member of Animal Collective).

          The many loops of simple harmonies were overlapped on top of instrumentals late in the track making sure to subtly emphasize the power of the group. Go figure, you can’t escape animal Collective.

          The influence doesn’t end there—obviously, it’s only track three— the albums single “Shuffle,” gets a little spacey while remaining with the status-quo for summer jams. The, for lack of a better term, fun, keys flash in and out of your ears during the opening moments of the song. 

          It progresses into a typical summer tune for a few moments; you know, head bopping, light music that tends to make you feel a little happy inside whether or not the message of the song is just that. 

Listen to "Shuffle" here - 

          Since 2000, there’s hardly been a better bet in alt-country than Ryan Adams. But while this year’s Ashes & Fire marks his 13^th album, it also marks his return to recording since the disbanding of his backing band, The Cardinals. And boy, what a return it is, helped by heavy hitter Norah Jones’ piano and backing vocals. Theres even some vocals from his former teen-pop star wife, Mandy Moore.

          The opening track, appropriately titled “Dirty Rain” makes it clear this is the Adams we all know, not necessarily the sci-fi metal of Orion, recorded in 2007 and released two year later.

          The title track equally shines through, playing an upbeat acoustic tune against Jones’ melodic piano. You see his trademark personal tone on the first single, “Lucky Now,” which features lyrics like “I don’t remember, were we wild and young? All that’s faded in the memory."

          It’s nice to have you back, Mr. Adams.

Listen to "Lucky Now" -

          There is something about a band, or musical group that

comes out of New Jersey that brings a different spin on

anygenre — it must be the water. Caged Animals didn’t miss

thememo on their first, Eat Their Own.

         A whining keyboard and melodious bass intertwine to expose “Teflon Heart,” a song

prevalent with the goofy lyrics that can come out of lead singer, Vincent Cacchione’s mouth. L

yrically, Cacchione could be compared to Of Montreal’s “Our Riotous Defects.” The song is the

epitome of Caged Animals trying to mesh chillwave with electro-pop in a hazy, yet upbeat

number.

          “Hazy Girls,” on the other hand, is a whimsical track heavy on a washed-out sound.

The words still portray simplistic ideas and images, but this time, they’re more relatable. Upon

listening, your lids may get heavy on your head in which case I would suggest laying back, and

taking the music in.

Listen to "Teenagers in Heat" -

Following in the footsteps of successful bands out of Long Island's alternative/noise rock scene, like Brand New (which Sainthood Reps guitarist Derrick Sherman is a member of) and The Movielife; Sainthood Reps have managed to make a splash with their debut, Monoculture.

The title track opens the album and it immediately pulls you in with how aggressive it is. The distorted guitars screech throughout the song over a heavy drum part, all while lyrics are being delivered in a protesting manner. “We’ve come a long way/From the bottom up to minimum wage/Another day, another dollar”, sings Francesco Montesanto. It’s a great opener and it immediately grabs you with its sound. The lyrics provide a backdrop as to what’s coming vocally on the album. “Animal Glue”, the 5^th track on the album, includes a very Jesse Lacey-type vocal performance, which isn’t a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination. The guitars are very noticeably the work of Derrick Sherman, because of its distinguished echoing.

“Hunter” stands out so much because of its sense of anthem-type singing. It’s sung with such passionate desperation. Lyrics like ,“There’s nobody left to fight for our side and?/All my enemies are at my back door?/All my friends are at my back door" makes this such a beautifully written song, and something you find yourself emphasizing with.

This album will take you on an emotional journey. It’s very engaging lyrically, the emotion and content of the lyrics sucks you in and forces you to really listen to the message being poured over the amazing musicianship by the rest of the band. This band sounds mature beyond its years and has set the bar high for future releases.

Listen to "Animal Glue" -

          This second Dum Dum Girls album, Only in Dreams, is a homerun. It’s exemplary of the girl rock genre.  Lead singer/guitarist Dee Dee Penny created a more mature and authentic record, welcomed with open arms.

           Previous Dum Dum Girls albums are more lo-fi with muddy vocals. Only in Dreams is a big step in the right direction. The production is superb. Unlike the past albums, Dee Dee’s vocals are getting the justice they deserve.

          “Hold Your Hand” is different than the former three songs, and it’s still amazing. It’s a ballad that could break a heart made of crystal. The song sounds like a prom scene is an 80’s movie.“Wasted Away” is comparable, but stands out. It’s just Dee Dee being very… Dee Dee.

          Overall, this album is great. It flows well. It shows a maturity that I Will Be didn’t quite have. It’s definitely worthy of rotation.

Listen to "Bedroom Eyes" -