Just Rolled In: Kisses - "The Hardest Part" [indie pop / electronic / disco pop]

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Kisses is a duo/couple based in Los Angeles consisting of Jesse Kivel (who also plays in the indie pop band Princeton with his twin brother Matt) on vocals and Zinzi Edmundson on keyboards. In preparation for their sophomore release, Kids in LA, due out this May, Kisses have released their first single "The Hardest Part", which hints that this album may be a little less sunny than their 2010 debut, The Heart of the Nightlife. Led by a crooning voice similar to that of Jens Lekman and with music reminiscent of New Order, the LA duo's single is a fast-paced, melancholic, and incredibly danceable track meant to be played loud at a dance party or just driving around late at night with the windows down.

Below, you can check out "The Hardest Part" and 2012's non-album single "Funny Heartbeat", which is more representative of their debut's sound. Listen to that debut here and pick up a copy of Kids in LA when it drops May 14 via Cascine Records.

Artist Making Waves: Caveman - "In the City" and "Over My Head" [indie pop / psychedelic dream pop / indie rock]

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Brooklyn's mellow indie rock band Caveman self-released my favorite album of 2011 called Coco Beware and now they've joined Fat Possum Records, who will put out their sophomore self-titled album April 2. I immediately fell in love with Caveman's music for their dream pop guitars, chamber pop vocal harmonies, hazy synth leads, and tribal-like drum patterns.

In the past month they have released two singles from the new album that prove that they've stayed true to that sound found on their debut but developed a more expansive presence. The vocals are noticeably enhanced and the synths have taken more of a key role in the tracks. Caveman's range from slower, hazier songs to more percussion-driven melodic pop songs is accurately exemplified between these two great singles. Take a listen below and look out for the album release April 2.

Swell Album: Ava Luna - Ice Level [soul / experimental pop / R&B]

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I just happened across a truly unique band called Ava Luna, but I did so a bit late. Their debut LP Ice Level was released in February of 2012 and they have toured with Toro y Moi and Twin Sister. Why this experimental pop band hasn't garnered much attention since then puzzles me. The Brooklynites craft a sound akin to that of Dirty Projectors and TV on the Radio but they can't be summed up that easily. What has been described as "nervous soul", their style is very rich in female vocal harmonies, broken drum patterns, minimalistic post-punk and at times orchestral instrumentals, and led by a great "soulified" male voice.

Below you can listen to 2 singles, along with one of my favorites, from their 2012 album Ice Level. You can stream and buy the entire album here.

Artist Making Waves: Hands [indie rock / synthpop]

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One of my most obsessed over bands of the past couple years is finally coming out with their debut album Synesthesia April 30. Hands is an LA-based eclectic indie rock band that has slowly gained the deserved attention over those two years and landed a spot on the Kill Rock Stars roster, which boasts Deerhoof, The Decemberists, Marnie Stern, and Xiu Xiu.

Their band profile says it well, "Hands makes music like a rip tide, swirling in overlapping loops and riffs, slowly enveloping you. The group's members . . . craft their hypnotic sound from a single dropping note that builds into a reverberating roar that crashes over you like a wave." I've had the pleasure of seeing them live twice and have to say they put on one of the most fun shows ever. Their music is full of melody, danceable beats, and catchy guitar and synth hooks that can't help but get you moving and wishing you knew the words to sing along.

Synesthesia follows an addictive set of songs including a 7-inch, an EP, and a handful of other singles that you can check out here and on their bandcamp. Listen to the first two singles from Synesthesia below.

Swell Album: Young Dreams - Between Places [indie pop / electronic / psychpop]

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Bergen, Norway's indie pop collective Young Dreams released their debut album Between Places this week via Australia's electro/pysch favoring Modular Recordings. Considering the album's danceability, rich pop sound, and psychedelic flourishes, it's no wonder that Young Dreams is sharing a label with Cut Copy, ceo, and recent tourmates Tame Impala, but what sets them apart the most is their symphonic  and afrobeat elements. With so much going on, there's no doubt why the band, which starts at six members, can sometimes be seen as a group of 12 musicians on stage. Listen to the self-professed "Symphonic Trance Pop Pyschedelia" outfit's current single "First Days of Something" below or listen to the entire album via Modular's SoundCloud.

Artist Making Waves: f y f e - "Solace" & "St. Tropez" [smoothpop / electronic]

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With his debut EP Solace due out April 8, London's f y f e (Paul Dixon, formerly of David's Lyre) has been on my radar since his first single "Solace" dropped two months ago. With that track, the 23-year-old perfectly crafts a smooth electronic song with his impressive, subdued voice, a strolling beat, and simple song structure. The electric guitar and mellotron over the soft beat of the intro and verse mix perfectly with Dixon's delicate, crooning voice to relax you and then, you're suddenly awakened when his gentle voice and beat liven up for the choruses, which are carried by a haunting "ooooh"-ing choral effect. Going 2-for-2 with hit singles, f y f e recently released another Solace track, "St. Tropez", that continues the smooth electro pop and song structure of "Solace" but takes it to another level by adding a horn section that proves that f y f e's big sound can get even bigger. Listen to the two singles below.