Aloha – Home Acres
While the album cover for Home Acres may be a bit gloomy, Aloha's four members (now scattered throughout the East Coast) have no problem creating a quick-tempo, reverb-filled and smiley album. One key to this happy formula (beside the heavy presence of drum-line style percussion) is the use of marimbas and vibrant synthesizer.
![]()
She & Him – Thieves
I am pretty ambivalent about She and Him. I like them; I dislike them. From day to day, I never know how I feel about them. I have legitimate complaints about the band (they are far too cute for their own good), but I also hold grudges against them that are patently unfair (they are fronted by a movie star).
![]()
East Hundred – Passenger
East Hundred’s story isn’t all that unpredictable: boys grow up together, boys make music, one asks girlfriend to add vocal track, girl and boy break-up, band survives and grows from it musically (The break-up lyrics really shine through on "Pony").
![]()
Sean Hayes – Run Wolves Run
There's something undeniably raw and emotional in the voice of Sean Hayes. There's also something unquestionably raw about the instruments that backup Sean Hayes. Together, their sound is phenomenal, and it's not just because this isn't what I usually listen to. His new album, Run Wolves Run, to be released on March 16, showcases both the traditional, slower-paced...
![]()
Fang Island – Fang Island
The recently released (and available for streaming in full at their website) self titled LP from Brooklyn post rocker's, Fang Island, is a hard driving, feel good, rock album, complete with screaming guitars and soaring vocals which will undoubtably have you giving your speakers a real workout. The listening isn't labored though, and doesn't leave ears exhausted by providing some some restful interludes.
![]()
Memoryhouse – The Years EP
What is chillwave, you ask? It's a relatively new form of music (with its origins in shoegaze) that's heavy on the synths, looping, downtempo disco beats, and heavily filtered vocals with simple melodic lines.
![]()
Essential Sounds of Winter: Part 2 of 2
When we published Part One of this series, we had yet to live through the Snowpocalypse that engulfed DC. A few work-from-home-days (and snowball fights and keg drinking) later, and we’re ready for Part Two of our Essential Sounds of Winter series. We think this one has a leg up on the first — after all, herein lie our eight favorite albums.
![]()
Husky Rescue – Ship of Light
ased out of Helsinki, Finland, the five-piece group fuses alternative with trip hop, ultimately producing a pop sound reminiscent of Emiliana Torrini or a down-tempo Metric. The result is perfectly fitting for the terribly gloomy, winter weather that has gripped Washington, D.C. for the last few weeks.
![]()
Essential Sounds of Winter: Part 1 of 2
Last weekend, DC lived through a massive snowstorm, with nearby areas reporting up to 3 feet of the fluffy stuff. With another 10-20 inches predicted, we're pretty sure it's time to present our Essential Sounds of Winter. Join us as a few of Indie Shuffle's contributors share the albums that they like to whip out when there's no choice but to stay indoors.
![]()
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
What do you get when you cross three Irish dudes, some guitars, and some heavy electronic influence? Well, you can get a ton of things, one of which is the sound produced by Two Door Cinema Club, a modern contemporary trio bringing us some seriously catchy tunes on their debut, Tourist History.
![]()
