Six New Bands You Should Hear

There is always a glut of new music to hear around CMJ time and from that glut certain bands and musicians stand out. Here’s a list of some of my favorite new bands (in no particular order):

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• Neon Indian is the latest project from producer Alan Palomo of VEGA. His tunes are poppy and joyful, but not cheesy. While the stuff sounds professional, he did it in his bedroom so it doesn’t suffer from over-production and you’re left with fun music you can dance to. It also happens to make a great subway record. The album is called Psychic Chasms and you can get it here. Neon Indian is playing Mercury Lounge on December 16. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon.

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• BLK JKS wasn’t actually at CMJ (unfortunately) but I can’t stop listening to their brand of African music. They’re from Johannesburg, South Africa and their music is a blend of various African styles, along with reggae, jazz, prog, and of course, rock. Their unique tunes are catchy and I for one am itching to see them live. For now I’ll have to seytle for their album, After Robots (available here) and their Daytrotter session.

• Freelance Whales seemed to pop out of nowhere–you know, one of those bands you had previously never heard of and now you can’t stop hearing about? Well, they seem worthy of the hype. They’re a bit different than msot of the stuff we are seeing out of Brooklyn (specifically Williamsburg) today, with less fuzz and distortion and more interesting instruments and actual lyrics. Their album Weathervanes is self-produced and you can get it here. They will be at Pianos on Friday, November 6 before they head off on tour with Fanfarlo, where they will hit Webster Hall on December 18.

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• Lightning Dust is the side project of Black Mountain members Amber Webber and Joshua Wells. I was just in Vancouver this weekend, where these guys hail from, and it’s nice to picture that beautiful city as the backdrop for these beautiful folk songs. Webber’s voice wavers and trembles with emotion but glimmers with strength. Infinite Light is the groups’ sophomore album, you can get it here.

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• Wild Beasts are here to give you something a bit different: rollicking falsetto Queen/Man Man-esque tunes to make you laugh and rock out at the same time. Naturally they are from England (Leeds to be precise) and their latest album, Two Dancers, is a fun romp that champions outcasts and weirdos round the globe. Get it here.

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• The xx were probably the most-hyped band going into CMJ, and I think they may be the most-hyped coming out. That’s a good sign, and I for one can say they definitely live up to the hype and then some. Also from England (London), the group consists of four members and vocals are carried by the haunting Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim, who often create a back-and-forth set-up. Vocals are definitely showcased and it’s hard to get Madley Croft’s sexy, low and breathy voice out of your mind, but the background music is something to notice and will keep your toes tapping. Their debut, self-tited album is available here. They play the Bowery Ballroom on November 11 and Webster Hall with Friendly Fires on December 5.