We’ve got some amazing tunes to bring you into winter and get you through what’s bound to be another cold weekend. Heaps of local jams including our feature from Cloud Control this week, some new dittys from Boy & Bear, and Hot Chip, as well as an introduction to some newer bands like Falling In Reverse and The Good Morrows.

Cloud Control – ‘Dojo Rising’

The first offering from the four-piece carries the same pop tactics that they boasted on 2010’s Bliss Release. However ‘Dojo Rising’ provides less folk and more psych than their debut release. With synth textures and lo-fi vocals reminiscent of Gypsy & The Cat’s second release, The Late Blue, the sound is mellow, but the output is undoubtedly memorable.

Lace Curtain – ‘Falling (II)’

Headed by Eddy Current Suppression Rings’ Mikey Young, Lace Curtain have a dark and gripping track on their hands. While deep breathy vocals run in the same vein as the hammering synths, the electric guitar chords provide ‘Falling (II)’ with strokes of light. Synth pop elements protrude, but the track’s seemingly never-ending concourse allows for it to be more edgy than anything else.

The Good Morrows – ‘Watch Me Go’

It’s hard to seem authentically vintage but The Good Morrows sure do knowhow. Thanks in large part to the lead singer’s mature, droney vocals, the band do a great job of channeling the twangy, 60s goodness that has been so missing from the latest mid century revival we’ve been experiencing. Great track.

Hot Chip – ‘Dark & Stormy’

This stand alone single is the first offering from the British five-piece since last year’s In Our Heads and it holds exactly the sort of oddball pop theatrics that you would expect from Hot Chip. While not as incredibly dark sounding as you might think there is an electronic breakdown in there that is reminiscent of a storm.

Boy & Bear – ‘Southern Sun’

The first single from the five-piece’s second LP, Harlequin Dream, ushers in a departure-of-sorts from their folk origins. With an electric chord that fits with the tracks namesake, ‘Southern Sun’ begins with a string intro before seguing into their known pop sensibilities. While there is a slight variation in sound the track’s essence sticks to the Boy & Bear formula. Catchy and without making much of a fuss about it, this one is meant for listening to under – you guessed it – a southern sun.

Falling In Reverse – ‘Fashionably Late’

Las Vegas rockers Falling In Reverse have released the title single from their forthcoming second album, Fashionably Late due for a mid June release. Having only been on the scene since 2008, Falling In Reverse have managed to gather a rather large fan base in this short amount of time from only one record and it’s easy to see why when you hear ‘Fashionably Late’. Full of big guitar riffs and large amounts of energy topped off with enormous sounding production, you imagine this band would be just as great on live scene too!

Shining Bird – ‘Distant Dreaming’

Often it’s hard to ascertain just what an artist will sound like judging by their band name/track titles, but NSW’s Shining Bird are a true exception. Having just signed to Spunk records, it’s no surprise these guys are quickly gaining momentum. With lead singer Dane Taylor’s voice heavily reminiscent of Bill Callahan, this tune is bound to lure you into a trance.

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