Elbow: Lippy Kids

Here's a chill track off this British band's 2011 album, Build a Rocket Boys!



Buy it here: Build A Rocket Boys!

Fink: If Only

Off this British artist's 2007 album, Distance and Time.



Buy it here: Distance and Time

Jim Noir: My Patch

Going way back to 2005 for this one, but it's worth it. Noir plays almost all of the instruments on almost off of his songs.



Buy it here: Jim Noir

Bombino: Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion

Check out the film, enjoy the music. Learn more here.



Buy it here: Agadez

Tally Hall: Good and Evil

Infectious pop-rock from this Ann Arbor, Michigan-based band.



Buy it here: Good & Evil

Typhoon

I'm a huge fan of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, and here is a great performance by this Portland-based band that's finally getting some national attention after toiling in the trenches for years. Check out their website, here.



Buy it here: A New Kind Of House

Portugal. The Man

Speaking of fabulous albums of 2011, this once Alaska-based (now they reside in Portland, Oregon) band's In the Mountain in the Cloud is up there as well. It was released days ago.



Buy it here: In the Mountain in the Cloud

Nicolas Jaar: Space is Only Noise

Released earlier this year, it is among the best of 2011. Jaar is a student at Brown University and isn't even 20 yet. If he doesn't burn out, he's got a lot of music ahead of him.



Buy it here: Space Is Only Noise

Arthur Verocai: Pela Sombras

Enjoy this excellent live performance by this venerable Brazilian artist.

Jana Hermann: Saules Griezi

This Latvian artist's song below, Solstice, has a quirky, retro sound to it.



What do you think?

Plants and Animals: The Mama Papa

This is a really tight bit of pop off this Montreal-based band's 2010 album, La La Land.



Buy it here: La La Land [+Digital Booklet]

Socks and Chimes: I Love You Overall

Here's a catchy folk-pop tune off of this interesting duo's recently released album. Learn more about them here.




Buy it here: I Love You Overall

The Pierces

This NYC-based duo are sisters, which helps to make their harmonies wonderful, as their voices are so similar. While they've only had limited success on the pop charts in the UK, their 2011 album, You and I, is worth a listen.



Buy it here: You & I

Wio-K featuring Tasha Rozez: Foot Loose

Infectious song off the 2008 album, In Real Life.



Buy it here: Foot Loose

Chain Gang of 1974: Hold On

Intriguing sounds out of Denver, CO. This is off the 2010 album, White Guts.



Buy it here: Wayward Fire

Other Lives: Tamer Animals

This Oklahoma band has an interesting blend of folk-rock and post modern elements. With their roots in mind, listening to their music definitely reminds one of the vastness of the American Southwest. Tamer Animals was released earlier this year.



Buy it here: Tamer Animals

Gardens & Villa

Great music out of Santa Barbara, CA. Their self-titled, debut album was just released this week. Enjoy!



Buy it here: Gardens & Villa [+Digital Booklet]

Mia Doi Todd: Open Your Heart

Mia Doi Todd is another interesting artist from Los Angeles. This song is off her 2011 album, Cosmic Ocean Ship. She has a sweet-sounding voice that really holds this all together. And isn't this video fantastic?!




Buy it here: Cosmic Ocean Ship

Daedelus: Sew, Darn, Mend

Here's a great song off of this Los Angeles-based artist's recently released album, Bespoke. You can really get lost in the layers of this one.



Buy it here: Bespoke