The Birmingham trio Johnny Foreigner has been around for quiet some time on the local gig circuit. Last summer they signed a record deal with Best Before Records and at the end of last year they went to New York to record their debut album "Waited Up 'till It Was Light".
The debut features indie-rock influenced, lo-fi, pop-punk tunes with fast guitars, happy, upbeat vocals and some killer rhythm sections.
Johnny Foreigner's sound gives off the expression that not only is it great to listen, but they would probably be exciting to see live, which is sometimes hard to get from an album.

Download

• Johnny Foreigner - Salt Peppa & Spinderella
  

• on iTunes (US)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/johnnyforeigner

Emerging from the New York electro rock scene the band Automatic Duo combines quirky synthesizer melodies with rock'n'roll guitar riffs and danceable beats.
Responsible for this massive sound are Chance Drzewucki, Matt Rockteacher, a pair of Brooklyn based musicians who list influences from Prince and Ray Charles to the Flaming Lips.
Their debut album "Fake History for Outlandish Times" sounds surprisingly fresh.

Download:

• Automatic Duo - Ain't Got A Lover
  

• Automatic Duo - Fake History (artist homepage)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/automaticduo
• Homepage: automaticduo.com
  

The Hotcakes are Erin Marsz (Vocals), Lee Leshen (Drums), Chris Hills (Guitar) and Eva Brooks (Keys).
Their lead vocalist Erin was a member of the Brooklyn based band "Tralala" which released two critically acclaimed albums and then split up.
Chris, the guitarist, also plays in a soul band called "Evergreen".
The Hotcakes first EP, released in march '08, is produced by Josh Peck who among other compositions wrote the new Knight Rider theme.
Anyhow, what comes out of this venture is marvelous. The songs are very melodic, 60s influenced, indie pop rock tunes. Erin's voice is lovely and very energetic, Chris plays great guitar solos and some bad ass riffs, Eva on Keys creates wonderful melody lines and Lee on Drums lays down some huge grooves.
All in all, an outstanding effort.

Download:

• The Hotcakes - Mister Mister

• The EP is currently only avaible on their live shows.
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/thehotcakesmusic

The guys from buffetlibre.net have finally released their 80's Cover Project.
I really recommend you to download and share this delicate selection of more or less famous 80's tracks remixed or covered by contemporary indie rock bands and DJs.

Download:

• The 80's Cover Project by Buffet Libre

• Buffet Libre: buffetlibre.net
  

British electronica act Metronomy released a new EP "Holiday" on July 7. It includes the singles "Let's Have a Party", "Our Raid" and "Holiday Bedtime Dub".
There's also a competition going on; the hundred funniest holiday snaps posted in the Holiday Blog on their MySpace or Facebook win a Holiday Kit including sunglasses, beach bag, badges and a sexy beach vest. Deadline is July 14th.
However the new EP is excellent, I really enjoyed the groovy track "Let's Have a Party" with it's psychedelic synth parts.

Download

• Metronomy - Holiday
  

• Metronomy - Holiday

• MySpace: myspace.com/metronomy
  

Adron a.k.a Adrienne McCann is a 20 year old mademoiselle from New York City's most creative borough Brooklyn.
She's classically trained on the piano, she plucks her nylon guitar as if Baden Powell taught her and she also sings her self-written late '60s Brazilian Tropicalia' influenced songs.
Her self titled debut album, out on July 1 on New Street Records, is intelligent but at the same time remains accessible.
Songs like "String Song", which she sad is about her "feelings about string theory and the metaphysics of memory", or the simplistic and youthful "Bicicleta" really showcase Adron's talent and style.

Download:

• Adron - String Song
• Adron - Bicicleta (Chris Devoe Remix)
  

• iTunes (US)
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/adriennemccann
• Homepage: adronmusic.com
  

The Mood is: Marco Argiro (Vocals, Guitars), Corinne Callen (Vocals, Keys), Kenton Langstroth (Guitar), Chris Bunatta (Drums) and Brian Karp (Bass).
This five-piece band has been making quiet a name for itself in New York City's music scene.
The formula for their success lies in the catchy melodies, the upbeat rhythms and their solid songwriting skills. I like the simple but graceful vocals and the Glockenspiel adds even more charm to their contagious pop rock tunes.
The new record "Synaesthesia" is out now on Outright Records.

Download:

• The Mood - In The Forest (zShare)
  

• Direct
• Also available on iTunes & CD Baby
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/marcoargiro
• Homepage: themoodrocks.com
  

SWEAT.X is a South Africa based project from rapper Spoek Mathambo and producer Markus Wormstrom.
Last October they released their first EP "Ebonyivorytron" which was very well received by the underground.
Tagging this sound as Miami Bass or Hip House doesn't cut it. Ghetto-Rave is a much better description for this smart, dirty and overpowering music.
This spring they toured through Europe and raised a lot of attention among the urban hipster crowd.
Their new EP titled "187" will be released sometime this summer on Try Harder Records.
They also announced a tour of Europe in September, of
Australia in October and of the US in December.

Download:

• SWEAT.X - Jack
  

• CITINITE
  

• MySpace: www.myspace.com/sweatx

The Cool Kids are a hip hop duo consisting of Antoine Reed and Evan Ingersoll.
They enjoyed some notable success earlier this year with their "Bake Sale" EP. Since then we all eagerly await their debut album "When Fish Ride Bicycles" which should be released later this year on XL Records.
In the meantime they made available a really dope mixtape for free download.
They recommend to play this in your car first and after a first listen I could understand why: It's the perfect soundtrack for cruising down the road with the windows down and the volume cranked up to the max!
So, what are you waiting for?

Download:

• The Cool Kids - That's Stupid Mixtape
  

• iTunes
  

• MySpace: myspace.com/thecoolkids