just add maple syrup

It's going to be a busy month of music. Here are some of the acts I'm checking this month. Also, will be heading to New York at the end of the month. Somehow all the good shows are in January and March. Guess I'll have to focus on steakhouses and bourbon bars. What can you do? Clap Your Hands Say Yeah M83 Active Child

Here's a new track of dream pop from Beach House. And sway...

Finally, a video for the best single off the best album of the year by miles and miles and miles.

The best thing about the new Feist track as presented through her facebook page? It auto-repeats. Like it to listen here . Here's a teaser of the song and video.

In a desperate attempt to keep this blog hip and cool, I'm going to post this video of Lana Del Rey's Video Games. It's actually pretty good.

Manchester's WU LYF (World United Lucifer Youth Foundation) caused a hell of a stir last year due to their cryptic blogging and rejection of the mainstream press. Only recently have they begun to allow the press into the world of WU, dispelling the rumours that launched a near mythical existence. As the meta-description on their website, www.wulyf.org, says, 'WU LYF is nothing, four dumb kids calling out heavy longings for a place to call home, two brothers greet two brothers and play heavy pop.' All this drama was news to me as I only heard about the band and their first album, Go Tell Fire to the Mountain, a few weeks ago. I've got to say, I'm really glad I missed all that hype. It may have turned me off what will surely be hailed as one of the breakthrough rock albums of the year. Here's one of the best songs off the album, We Bros, which is destined to destroy crowds at many a festival over the next year.

If you see me on the train to work, looking half-asleep, I'm just listening to the new Bon Iver album. It's dreamy good. Stream it for free, courtesy of Guardian, here . 'Holocene' is a stand-out song on an album of stand-out songs. If only that 'I could see for miles and miles' line could go on and on. Rather than leave a post without a YouTube video (gasp!), here's the first single off the album, 'Calgary' (my hometown, yay!).

Video for 'Slow Motion' from Tomboy by Panda Bear aka Noah Lennox of Animal Collective; a 9-minute trip from the streets of New York City to Grosvenors Island starring a real-fake Panda Bear.

Last week, I got back from Barcelona and the Primavera Festival, and pretty much annoyed every friend and colleague for the next four days with my incessant praise of the city and the festival. However, it only took a couple nights out in London this weekend to remind me that I live in an incredible city with lots to offer. Still, it needs to be said that Barcelona has so much to love, and as a first-timer, it was an eye-opening experience discovering one of the most vibrant cities in the world. The fact that Barcelona is often referred to as the city of Gaudi, a visionary 19th-20th century architect, tells you a lot about it. Walking the streets at any time of the day, you can't help but be awe-struck by the diversity and beauty of the buildings, the thoughtfulness of their design and the many imaginative artistic surprises around each corner. At the same time, the interior design of some of the buildings, especially restaurants, makes you wonder... For example, the bathroom with ...

I first got into Toro Y Moi last year through the strangest person I know, not surprisingly. Back then, they were at the vanguard of the so-called 'Chill Wave' scene, with synth-rock albums like 'Causers of This' and tracks like 'Blessa'. The latest album, produced only a little over a year later 'Causers', shows real growth from the group's producer, Chaz Bundick, as an artist capable of more than laptop pop. His latest effort falls more in the Beach House camp than the Neon Indian psychedelic smoke pit. Check out both 'Blessa' from the previous album and 'Good Hold' from the latest to see what a difference an album can make. Toro Y Moi - Blessa (2009) Toro Y Moi - Good Hold (2011)

Field Day announced the rest of their line-up a few weeks ago. It's hard to believe, but it's even better than the first half, with new acts including Mount Kimbie, James Blake, Jamie XX, Glasser, Michael Mayer and more. Even newcomers The History of Apple Pie are playing (shout-out to C & L!). Looks like this will be the summer of Field Day. Here are a few choice tracks from the newly announced acts. Mount Kimbie - Before I Move Off James Blake - CMYK Jamie XX - Running Glasser - Mirrorage Michael Mayer - Funky Handicap The History of Apple Pie - Live at New Slang

Festival season is just around the corner. Okay, maybe not, but the thought of them is a welcome distraction from the miserable 'spring' weather we've been experiencing in London. Lovebox looks like a bust so far. Wireless is way too mainstream. SW4 could be interesting on the Sunday. But it looks like Field Day is the only London festival that's raised their game so far (not including the Arcade Fire pre-Canada Day party on June 30!). Here are a few of the acts I'm looking forward to seeing at Field Day on August 6: Twin Shadow Matthew Dear Wild Beasts John Cale

My life finally has a theme song.

Braids came my way as most of my awesome new music does, from a little birdie with exquisite taste. They've just released their first album, which I think should make waves quickly, but, for now, their single, Lemonade, will have to do. I've included it below for your listening pleasure. The real stand-out track on their album, Native Speaker, is Lammicken. An epic track with a surprisingly funky bass line, it's unavailable via YouTube right now, but is one of many reasons to pick this album up now .

Baths is not a group. Baths is a guy. And he knows how to make music. Enjoy.

Damn, it's been a good year for music. Loads of new bands with unique sounds and some great new albums from old favourites. While I could easily have made a top twenty or thirty list, 10 is just such a nice round number. (And I don't really have time to make a top 30 list.) So here are my ten favourite albums from the past 12 months, along with a stand-out track from each. Agree or disagree? Let me know. 10. Glasser - Ring Featured track: Home 9. Twin Sister - Colour Your Life Featured track: Phenomenons 8. Here We Go Magic - Pigeons Featured track: Casual 7. Toro Y Moi - Causers of This Featured track: Talamak 6. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening Featured track: Dance yrself clean 5. Caribou - Swim Featured track: Leave house 4. Delorean - Subiza Featured track: Grow 3. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest Featured track: He Would Have Laughed 2. Beach House - Teen Dream Featured track: Better Times 1. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs Featured track: Rococo Featured track: Sprawl II (Mounta...

Le Loup was another great recommendation from iTunes' search algorithm. This is from their first album. Their latest album, Family, sounds like a collaboration between Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. What more do I need to say?

Not exactly what the Beach House show was like tonight at the O2 Empire in Shepherd's Bush, but it doesn't really matter. It's Beach House live, which is always worth sharing.

With songs filled with hushed voices and lush melodies, Twin Sister are giving the term 'easy-listening music' a good name. This up and coming Long Island-based electro-folk band are currently promoting their latest EP, Colour Your Life, and will be playing at The Lexington on Thursday, November 25. Excited to check them out live. Should be a good night, especially since it starts off with London's Movember Gala. Watch this space for photos from the 'taschtastic event.

A. The Suburbs AA. Month of May The Arcade Fire are back in fine form with their lead off single, The Suburbs, for their new album of the same name. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the new album at the Hackney Empire show on Wednesday night!