Hilotrons - Emergency Street

"People keep me moving to the edge of the street"

Hilotrons are a new wave indie pop band from Canada who have been getting a ton of critical praise with each album they've released. Their music is odd--at times almost experimental--while still conforming to basic pop structures. Sometimes they can get a bit too indie for my tastes, but I love their bright, herky-jerky sound and some of their songs are downright genius. Emergency Street was the instant standout from their most recent release for me. I love the opening verse with its funny little electronic noises, and the chorus is completely addictive from the very first listen. At times these guys really remind me of Oh No Ono, which is kinda surprising to find outside of Scandinavia.

Hilotrons - Emergency Street (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

Danny - Unite This Heart

"I'm so tired of being alone"

With all the December countdown stuff I haven't had a chance yet to lay praise on Danny Saucedo's terrific second album. Although it was technically released during the dying days of 2008, it's the first great pop album of the new year. In fact, I'd argue that it's even better than his first. I struggled to pick a song to post today, since there are a lot of standouts, but ended up going with Unite This Heart, because it was one of the very first ones that lodged in my head. It follows Danny's usual route... verses that build up to a throbbing dance chorus. I wish male singers could get away with this kind of stuff in the States. Although, with acts like Lady Gaga and (to a lesser extent) Katy Perry finally making inroads in the US, maybe we're ready for more poppy dance music. At any rate, if you like this track, be sure to check out the full album because it's all just as fantastic.

Danny - Unite This Heart (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

SuperJupiter - Got To Get Some

"My feet go anywhere love goes"

One of my most anticipated releases this year is SuperJupiter's first full-length album. The guys have been releasing music since 2003 but with their Pop! EP (out this month) they've given us an amazing taster of what's to come. I only properly discovered them a short while ago but they've instantly joined the a-list in my mind. Each and every song is a massive electro/pop/rock/glam gem. If you haven't yet, I order you to go listen to the tracks on their myspace. Right now I'm especially obsessed with the aggressive What Do You Want From Me. I'm going to post an older song today, though. Got To Get Some first appeared (in a much more flacid version) on their first EP in 2003, but it was soon reworked into the funky masterpiece it is now. How was this not a massive worldwide dance smash??

SuperJupiter - Got To Get Some (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Join their mail list here.)