Presented in alphabetical order.
Bad Bad Hats / Via badbadhats.com
Sounds like: No-bullshit, ultra-dynamic '90s-style alt rock in the tradition of Liz Phair, the Breeders, and That Dog. Kerry Alexander's lyrics are as sharp as her songs are catchy.
Sample tracks: « Midway, » « Say Nothing, » « Psychic Reader »
Sounds like: Kinda like if Pavement was fronted by a brainy Australian woman. Barnett's lyrics are consistently brilliant, and she has a gift for juxtaposing mundane, funny details with heartbreaking lines about trying to keep your head together.
Sample tracks: « Pedestrian at Best, » « Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go to the Party, » « Depreston »
Sounds like: Gorgeous shoegaze music built around electric organ drones and airy guitar arpeggios. The band put out two albums this year: Depression Cherry, which leans a bit more ethereal, and Thank Your Lucky Stars, which sounds a little more grungy and scuffed up.
Sample tracks: « Sparks » and « Levitation » from Depression Cherry; « One Thing » from Thank Your Lucky Stars.
beautylanding 