New Tame Impala: "Apocalypse Dreams"

We loved the Tame Impala's breakout debut InnerSpeaker, and today, we get the Australian group's new single "Apocalypse Dreams" which picks up right where InnerSpeaker left off, with hazy brit pop-inflected vocals, psyched-out keys, and pulsing backbeats. Lonerism drops in October on Modular.

Ladyhawke is Back with "Black White & Blue"

This is excellent:

Filmed in Auckland in late 2011, the video was directed by Tabitha Denholm, who has previously worked with Florence & The Machine.

The 'Black White & Blue' video is a homage to the 1970's classic film 'The Eyes Of Laura Mars', starring Faye Dunaway.

Anxiety will be out in the US on March 27th via Modular/Casablanca Records.

New Modular Signing: Pond

[mp3] Pond: "Fantastic Explosion of Time" 

As a rule, we pretty much read every press release from Modular. A consistent roster of quality talent makes you a gatekeeper, and earns you trust. Sometimes, with an inbox full of hundreds of emails, that's all you have the energy to rely on. It's just the way it goes.

But it doesn't gain you a free pass. Pond, the side project of Nick Allbrook and Jay Watson of the excellent Tame Impala, have teamed with Joseph Ryan to produce the full length Beard Wives Denim (Modular, 3/5) "recorded in a ramshackle farmhouse over two weeks in early 2010, right before Tame Impala started blowing up." The first track is filled with sick psych melodies and guitar squall... I mean, just look at the song title.

Playing Catch Up: Canyons

You know - having real jobs can (shockingly) get in the way of blogging. Therefore - we're going to hit you with a few cool items, that may be short on copy, but long on quality. The first up is Canyons' new release Keep Your Dreams out this week on Modular. We've been following this Aussie duo's string of varied singles and videos, all different, yet singularly cohesive in their bold use of angular guitars, dark synth, house rhythms and solid melodies.


Canyons - See Blind Through by modularpeople

Happy Election Day You Sons of Bitches: Here's Some New Bag Raiders!

[mp3] Bag Raiders: "Shooting Stars"

It's no surprise to anyone when we say that we're pretty obsessed with the first single "Shooting Stars" from the upcoming self-titled Bag Raiders' LP dropping January 25 in the US on Modular. It's hooky, sad, happy, danceable, introspective, extroverted, and just generally amazing. Yeah, we don't know how it can be all of those things at the same time either, it just is. We've played it for pretty much everyone in the past few weeks, and now we can share it with you all leagally. US tour dates for this aussie duo of Chris Stracey and Jack Glass coming soon. Enjoy, and go vote you bastards.

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Canyons: My Rescue

Canyons: "My Rescue"

Continuing with our love for... Australian dudes and naked chicks (?) we wanted to share another amazing track from the folks over at Modular, this time in the form of the new single "My Rescue" from Western Australian duo Canyons. Along with guys in Bag Raiders, there seems to be an amazing amount of quality content coming out of Australia right now (more than usual). "My Rescue" certainly has more of a radio-friendly pop bent to it (dare we make a Bono reference?) but the diverse instrumentation, deep-ringing piano chords, and yes, pulsing synths keep this track well to the left of middle of the road radio fodder. The 'My Rescue' digital bundle and 12", featuring remixes by Eric Duncan (Rub N Tug/Still Going), Stallions & Wooden Ships, will be out November 9th in the US with a full length in 2011. Definitely a lot to be looking forward to from this duo. Hear the track above.

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Bag Raiders. Yes.

Bag Raiders - Way Back Home from Modular People on Vimeo

[mp3] Bag Raiders: "Way Back Home"

It's not often we're moved to instantly post something. Most of the time it's like pulling teeth. We're digging deep here tonight, because we're fucking loving this new track from Aussie duo Bag Raiders, discovered (of course) on Neon Gold. Getting the hint you should be reading their blog? Anyway, Bag Raiders have an album dropping October 1 on the always amazing Modular, and this track "Way Back Home" is on it. As Neon Gold says, you would do well to check out the track "Shooting Stars" as well. Hope to be hearing more of this album as soon as possible. Bag Raiders are dropping the best synth-pop this side of Cut Copy, but there is something darkly melancholy about their music that sets them apart from a wild-drunken-dance-party band...in this case, that's absolutely perfect.

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Solitude is Bliss

[mp3] Tame Impala: "Runaway, Houses, City, Clouds"

[mp3] Tame Impala: "Solitude is Bliss" (Mickey Moonlight Remix)

"Solitude is Bliss" is the psyched-out pop gem of Tame Impala's debut album Innerspeaker coming out June 8th on Modular. We've been spinning this record for a few weeks and it's a diverse effort, but manages to hold together in the end and makes for a rewarding full-length. That being said, these tunes are best consumed in small doses for the headiest effect. Dig the swirling "Runaway, Houses..." and the brand new remix of "Solitude is Bliss." Tame Impala are on tour w/ MGMT, but will be hitting NY solo. Dates after the jump.

05/28 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Avila Beach Resort *
05/29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium *
06/01 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom *
06/02 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom *
06/04 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue *
06/06 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s *
06/07 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues *
06/08 – Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues *
06/11 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks *
06/13 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theatre *
06/14 – Indianapolis, MN @ The Vogue *
06/15 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion *
06/16 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore *
06/18 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre *
06/24 – New York, NY @ Piano’s
06/25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
06/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge
* w/ MGMT