British Sea Power

Open Season, the excellent second album from the Brighton band, came out several weeks ago, but only today its highlight track is being released as a single. 'Please Stand Up' is a magnificent example of what BSP do best: majestic rock with arresting guitar lines; a beautiful, uplifting melody; obscure lyrics about finding your place in life; and mesmerizing vocals tinged with both excitement and sadness.
This is, quite simply, one of the very best singles of the year.

Turin Brakes

The British modern-folk duo who, back in 2001 and along with Kings of Convenience and Elbow, gave some music journalists the excuse to announce that a New Acoustic Movement had just been born, is back with their third album Jackinabox. After the slightly disappointing Ether Song (2003), this time Olly and Gale have managed to recapture some of the magic of their memorable debut The Optimist LP, particularly in songs such as this first single, an emotionally intense yet deceptively placid track rich in uplifting acoustic guitars, introspective lyrics and warm vocal harmonies. 'Fishing for a Dream' is out this week in the UK, two weeks ahead of Jackinabox.

Mylo

His album Destroy Rock & Roll may be over a year old, but Scottish DJ/producer Mylo has only recently started enjoying success with the release of some of its tracks as singles. After the title song became a top ten hit in the UK in January, he now looks set to turn standout track 'In My Arms' into a summer anthem. With its warm, slow house beat; a laid-back piano line; and a playful, smart use of a sample from the 1980 Kim Carnes' classic 'Bette Davis Eyes,' this is the irresistible sound of Summer approaching. --Oh, and its sexy video cannot hurt, either.

The Sun

The Sun are a new band coming out of Columbus, OH. As those who got a hold of their early EPs over the last year and a half must already know, their music is catchy, electric, uplifting indie rock, infused with a sense of immediate urgency that is bound to turn them into a college radio staple, much like Spoon or Modest Mouse already have. Their full-length debut, Blame It on the Youth, had an initial release date of June 7th but some reports suggest it has been delayed until September. In the meanwhile, you can taste an excellent sample from that album, titled 'Must Be You.'

Hal

Perfecting a brand of weather-defying guitar-pop with shiny melodies, sweet harmonies and retro-sounding falsetto vocals also undertaken recently by the likes of The Thrills or The Delays, Hal are the next great new sunny-pop band to come from the British Isles. The debut album of this Irish quartet (fronted by brothers Dave and Paul Allen) just came out, and includes such joyful indie gems as the euforic, irresistible current single 'Play the Hits.'

Brazilian Girls

Hello, and sorry for having been MIA for the last month and a half. Hopefully I'll make up for that with some excellent new music.

Brazilian Girls are neither Brazilian nor all female, but a quintet formed in New York and made up of four guys and a girl. Their eponymous debut album is a vibrant, often humorous mixture of alternative dance rock, house, and indie electronica. Current single 'Don't Stop' features hilarious lyrics, an irresistible beat and the sensual, provocative vocals of Italian-born singer Sabina Sciubba. Just try staying still while this is playing...

The Go-Betweens

One of my favorite Australian bands is back with their third album since their much celebrated reunion in 2000. For this new record, Oceans Apart, they have teamed up again with British producer Mark Walis, with whom they already worked back in 1988 for their classic 16 Lovers Lane (remember 'Streets of Your Town' ?). Nostalgic and melancolic, yet optimistic and playful at the same time, Oceans Apart finds The Go-Betweens at the top of their game once again. You may already know their current single, the upbeat yet unremarkable 'Here Comes a City,' but the album has two superb gems in the form of the lush 'No Reason to Cry' and this, the arresting 'Finding You.'

Aquest any sí!

In the unlikely case that you don't know what I'm talking about, just click here.