January is not typically known for its wide range of high quality releases, which tend to be concentrated in the later months of the year. However, this week, I noticed that there was a steady stream of some really great stuff. Whether it is forthcoming Beach Fossils album (which comes out in February but there was an early leak) or next week's Toro Y Moi LP (an uneven but exciting step forward), there is already quite a bit to be excited about in 2013. This week's new songs are a mix of psychedelia, electro-pop, and math rock. A seemingly disparate combination but a great set of songs nonetheless. Enjoy!

Herbcraft - "No Land:" A droning, contemplative song featuring a jumbled mix of chanting, tape noise, and woodwind flourishes that seems to have been recorded by a mic set 25 yards from the performers. Herbcraft recorded this in an 18th Century barn in the pacific Northwest, which is great because it has been a while since someone recorded strange folky music in a setting appropriate to its musical style. I mean, Bon Iver petered out after one album. Anyway, Herbcraft is releasing his next LP on Woodsist and this song fits in well with that label, known for their fuzzy, sometimes sunny, low-fi releases. Before listening, please put yourself in the appropriate mystical-ceremonial-head space. I don't know, set up a shrine or something.



Youth Lagoon - "Dropla:" More psychedelia, this time significantly more straightforward, from Youth Lagoon. A slowly building track, drawn together by a bright, glistening piano loop, and marked by a beautiful climax, this new work is an exciting step forward for the young artist.



Doldrums - "Anomaly:" An eerie pop song from a based in Montreal. Mixing noise, rapid off beat drums, and haunted vocals, the song messily combines all of its parts into a whole. You can almost see the lines where these elements don't quite gel together. This disjointedness makes the track compelling.



Lindstrøm/Todd Terje - "Lanzarote:" Should I ever find myself on a train into space (see: anime classic Galaxy Express 999), I would probably want to be listening to Lindstrøm, who has been making excellent space disco (yes that is, in fact, a genre) for several years. This new track, a collaboration with fellow Norwegian, Todd Terje, is a bright and propulsive g. Complex synth flourishes complement the rising beat and the song concludes with a chant about various tropical locations to visit, on your train...that can also go into space. OK, the song never mentions a train into space, but I think it WORK WELL IF IT DID.



Marnie Stern - "East Side Glory:" Marnie Stern might be quietly readying one of the more interesting records to come out in the first half of this year. "East Side Glory" is a jubilant and twitchy piece of stuttering guitar centered pop rock. Stern's technical skills are evident and the math rock lite guitar melody is great. I am excited for her forthcoming album, The Chronicles of Marnia, but am also ready to be disappointed, just in case it turns out like last year's Dent May album (early excitement, overall disappointment). [Song only available at Stern's bandcamp]