MEN - Off Our Backs

MEN on MySpace
Even though LeTigre is sort of in limbo and nothing's really apparent about the future of the group, JD Samson (DJ/Keyboardist/singer) has taken this time to work on his own awesome project called MEN. Their first full-length release (Talk About Body) will hit the ears of the masses at the beginning of February.
I have to admit that when I first heard this, it was just kind of 'meh'. Upon listening to it again I can't wait to hear what a full album might sound like. Definitely something to keep an eye on next month. Check out the link I've provided to their MySpace profile to hear a couple more songs from MEN.

Radical Dads - Recklessness

From Robbie Guertin (singer/keyboardist/guitarist of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) comes this awesome little project called Radical Dads. Currently Radical Dads keeps popping up on stage with bands like the Dum Dum Girls (who I'll be lucky enough to see in March) and Crystal Stilts. Like the Dum Dum Girls, Radical Dads has that fuzzy 'We're makin' this in the spare bedroom for fun' sound with a slight hint that someone who's done this before is behind the wheel. Give'em a listen and leave a comment about what YOU thought of this first released single (which has been shot onto a limited edition 7").

Radical Dads "Recklessness" Official Music Video from Shahin Izadi on Vimeo.

Gabby Young and Other Animals - "We're All in This Together"

Gabby Young and Other Animals Official Site

Yet another piece of the UK music scene that will probably go unnoticed here in the states. Always a shame that performers like this don't get international recognition here. There isn't much to say about GYaOA. This eight piece 'folksy' group from Britain features the amazing opera-trained Gabby Young. Just listen and be swept up into the warmth of her voice. Just gorgeous.

Smith Westerns - Weekend

Smith Westerns Official Site

Smith Westerns are from Chicago, Illinois. Their second album, Dye It Blonde was release only a couple of days ago at the time of this posting.
Their first single off the album should help you understand why they're considered one of Pitchfork's rising stars.

Smith Westerns - Weekend from Fat Possum Records on Vimeo.

Allo Darlin' - My Heart is a Drummer

Allo Darlin' Official Site

There's not a whole lot to say about this one. Just get ready to fall in love with some of that cute, Aussie, old-school indie pop. Just wish they'd come state-side again.
Enjoy!

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp

Someone had me listen to this. At first I hated it. After giving the band my ear for a couple listens, I really started to enjoy them. I'd first heard them on some crappy video shot from a phone during SXSW 2007. Decided I was done with them after that. I was wrong.
Surrounding themselves with bands like Bat for Lashes, Simian Mobile Disco, MGMT and Florence and the Machine shows the kind of crowd they keep and that alone is a fair indicator of the kind of interesting and listenable sound that they'll be putting forth in the next couple of years.
I'm actually falling asleep as I write this, so I'll just leave you with Yeasayer.
Enjoy!

Janelle Monae - Tightrope (featuring Big Boi)

Why Janelle Monae was passed over at last years Grammy Awards will forever be a mystery to me. Hopefully, with appearances on So You Think You Can Dance and about a dozen other various shows, she'll get what she deserves: a Grammy for making music interesting again. I've been following Monae since 2006 and have secretly been hoping that this little lady would explode like a monster. Somehow it hasn't happened and I'm really baffled that she's still relatively unknown.
Consider yourself lucky and ahead of the curve, people. I DARE you not to enjoy this song. I predict that you'll be checking out more of her stuff as soon as you're done giving this song a listen.
Just get ready to get hooked on an up-and-comer who stands above all the musically regurgitated debris that keeps getting served to the normal folks.