Ensími New & Old Videos

Ensími 
"Heilræði"

"Heilræði" Live on Icelandic TV Show Logi Live

"Atari" Official Video directed by Snorri Sturluson

"Vínrauðvín", a song of the album "BMX". Official Video was directed by Ágúst Jakobsson

"Yog hurts" from the album "Ensími". Directed by Guðni.

FM Belfast "Vertigo" & "American" Live for KEXP Radio (2010)

FM Belfast on KEXP Radio (Seattle)

"American"

"Vertigo"

"Mondays"

FM Belfast

Song of the 200. Week is Valdimar's "Undraland"

200. Song of the Week is by Valdimar: "Undraland".
Valdimar has released its debut "Undraland" by Geimsteinn fall 2010. The music can be described as brassy pop with an edge.
Band Members are Ásgeir Aðalsteinsson, Guðlaugur Guðmundsson, Kristinn Evertsson,Valdimar Guðmundsson and Þorvaldur Halldórsson.
Buy the album @ Gogoyoko

200 Icelandic Songs of the Week 2007-2011
Established 18. March 2007

2007
Ensími Slow return
Ampop Sail to the moon
Eberg Plastic lions
Hellvar Electric toy
Mammút Þorkell
Mínus Futurist
Pétur Ben White tiger
Jeff Who? Death before disco
Bogomil Font & Flís Eat your car
Funí Morgunbæn
Bang Gang It’s alright
Ólöf Arnalds Í nýju húsi
Þór Eldon & Dagur Sigurðarson Daudaskammtur
Benni Hemm Hemm Snjór Ljós Snjór
Dyrðin Hunangsdropar
Kimono Japanese Policemen
Lada Sport Tango in the valley of death
Steindór Andersen & Sigur Rós Fjöll í Austri Fagurblá
Hafdís Huld Ski jumper
The Way Down Bring me the sun
Jan Mayen We just want to get everybody high
Retro Stefson Medallion
Yukatan House
Emiliana Torrini Gollum’s Song
Hudson Wayne Coffee
Fræbbblarnir Ó Fræbbblar vors lands
Ham Voulez-vous
Brúðarbandid Sid
Worm is Green Love will tear us apart
Mr Silla & Mongoose Ten foot bear
Unun Mexikó
Elíza Empire Fall
Bloodgroup Moving like a tiger
Morðingjarnir Airwaves
Motion Boys Hold me closer to your heart
Ólafur Arnalds Himininn er að hrynja en störnurnar fara Þér vel
Dimma Mama
Jóhann G. Jóhannsson Kjötsúpa
Stafrænn Hákon & Unstatuesque Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
2008
Sometime Heart of spades
UMTBS Story of a star
Sprengjuhöllin Worry til spring
Védis A beautiful life
Dr. Gunni Helvitis gráðugu fífl
Purrkur Pillnikk Óvænt
Þeyr Killer boogie
FM Belfast Synthia
Sudden Weather Change Kill goretrout
Þursaflokkurinn Skriftaganger
Borko Spoonstabber
Dísa Temptation
The Sugarcubes Dancing Queen (demo)
Björk Wanderlust (Ratatat Remix)
Kenya This is real
Who Knew Sharpen the knife
Our lives The audience part 2
Amiina Fjarskanistan
Blindfold Don’t think it’s a sin
Andhéri Stundum veit ég ekki hvar ég er
Dr. Gunni & Vinur hans O kisa min
Reykjavík! Æji plís
Rúnar Eff Disco freaks
Singapore Sling Guiding light
Heiða Loftborg
Vicky Pollard The Plan
BOB Under the influence of My Bloody Valentine
Steed Lord featuring Krummi Bucket of blood
Úlpa Dinzl
Gavin Portland This ain’t the Dakota
Tommygun Preachers Battle of the Monkeys
Barði Jóhannsson & Noemi Dream
Pornopop Hangover you
Rúnk Klapparstígur
Sverrir Bergmann Snow
For A Minor Reflection Óhljód
Inside Bilderberg Return of the pigs
Hungry & The Burger Cosmonauts
Plúseinn Shake
Dynamo Fog Rock & Rock
Naflakusk Habacap
Elly Vilhjálms Vegir liggja till alla átta
Æla Óður til hinna guðdómlegur
Slugs Lesbiur
Jet Black Joe Higher and higher
The Viking Giant Show Chemicals
The Pet Cemetery (Cosmic Call) Cold hands
Texas Jésus Salatbar
Sin Fang Bous Catch the light
Múgsefjun Dag eftir dag
Rúnar Júliusson & Hjálmar Blæbrigði lífsins
2009
Bob Justman Most of all
Dr. Spock Doctor Patient Relationship
Ruddinn I need a vacation
Toggi Silly Old Song
7oi The problems are complicated
Klive Don’t give up the ghost
Sólstafir Köld
Maus Poppaldin
Trabant Superman (Remix by Worm is Green)
Daisy Hill Puppy Farm Young blood
Sindri Eldon Honeydrew
Sing for me sandra The fight
Cosmic Call Cold hands
Bag of Joys Sveitasnakk
Nögl My world
Captain Fufanu The lake trough Lake Town
Íkarus Krókódílamaðurinn
Sleeping Prophets 1,2,3!
Leaves We are shadows
Cynic Guru Drugs
Vonbrigði Sykill
Foreign Monkeys Molla
Anonymous Tao
Hermigervill Starlight
Prins Polo Átjan & hundrað
Snorri Helgason Freeze-out
Retrön Slow me
GusGus Add this song
Pís of keik Ég og Nonni
Björt Sigfinns Raining
Árstiðir Látum okkur sjá
Stjörnukisi Reykeitrun
Pedro Pilatus Stella
Lára Rúnarsdóttir In between
Hjaltalín Hooked on chili
Cosmic Call Owls
Svavar Knútur Clementine
Stafrænn Hákon Hátiðarskap
Nóra Opin fyrir morði
2010
Reptile Kindness & Love
Berndsen Dark times
Plúseinn Heat
Foreign Monkeys Los
Elíza Newman Hopeless case
Fabúla Call it a night
Markús & The Diversion Sessions Now I know
Hildur Guðnadóttir, BJ Nilsen & Stilluppsteypa
The Temple of the Holy Tooth
FM Belfast Par Avion (RMX Retro Stefson)
Benni Hemm Hemm Retaliate
Seabear Softship
Sindri Eldon The Ugly Truth
Who Knew Perfect parenting
Thor Kristinsson Our love
Ruddinn feat. Heiða Cover the distance
Biogen Element
Hank & Tank Precious one
Eberg & Pétur Ben Come On, Come Over
Futuregrapher Acid Hverfisgata
Kakali The Cave
Two Step Horror King Bee
S.H. Draumur Helmút á mótorhjóli
Siggi Ármann Every second
Steini Beat Love Down
Miri Ég á heimi á Íslandi
Pollapönk Kjólakallinn
Of Monsters & Men Love Love Love
Bellatrix Dare Devil
Toggi Take me dancing
Reptilicus Okkar heili er innsiglaður
Prins Póló Underwear (FM Belfast cover)

Berglind Ágústsdóttir (feat. Hellvar) Kúrekastelpan

Moses Hightower Vandratað

Biggibix Situation

Swords of Chaos Skeletons having sex on a tin roof

Amiina Over and Again

Hairdoctor Dagur Eitt

Svartidauði The Temple of Deformation

For a Minor Reflection Flóð

Króna Maðurinn sem vildi verða Guð

Suicide Coffee Party People

Lifun Ein stök ást

Vicky Portrait

Skorpulifur Eldur og Ís

Singapore Sling One more trip

Peter and Wolf Lagið um Guð

 Hostile Ad infinitum

Nolo Pretty face

Just Another Snake Cult Spell of Platonic reversal

Dyrðin Snjófólk

2011

Kúra Einstein

Morning after youth Lived

Skálmöld Kvaðning

Ljótu hálfvitarnir Bjór, meiri bjór

Valdimar Undraland

Sudden Weather Change Gho Stigital

Sudden Weather Change went Ghostigital @ Airwaves 2010
Four songs are available as digital download "Sudden Weather Change Gho Stigital" here.
Today I found a Video made by Mark Ollard of Iceblah blog of Ghostigital performing @ Tjarnarbio

Thx Mark

Ghostigital

Prinspólo "Niðra Strönd" Video

Prinspólo
"Niðra Strönd" Video directed by Svavar's wife Berglind
 A song featured on the album "Jukk" (2010), available @ Gogoyoko

"Sad Sack Serenade": Icelandic Music Special on Canadian Radio CJFS 90.1 FM on 28. January 2011

CJSF 90.1FM broadcasted an Icelandic music special on 28. January made by Brendan Prost.
Playlist: 
Pornopop - Centre

Múm - I Can't Feel My Hand Anymore, It's Alright, Sleep Tight

Seabear - Hands Remember

Slowblow - Aim for a Smile

Frakkur - Untitled

Ólöf Arnalds - Innudir Skinni

Amiina - Fjarskanistan

Parachutes - Fingertips

Ólafur Arnalds - Gleypa Okkur

Download the show as 2 mp3 files here

Amiina "Hemipode" Live @ Havari, January 2011

Amiina
"Hemipode"

Amiina

Interview with Pascal Pinon in Papermag

Pascal Pinon's Jófrídur Ákadóttir interviewed by Papermag.

New Hellvar song "Ding an sich" - Second Album released on Kimi in March 2011

A brand new song by Hellvar was aired on Rás 2 Radio on singer Heiða's birthday Tuesday 26. January 2011: "Ding an sich". Hellvar's second album "Stop that noise" will be released on Kimi Records Label in March. Debut album "Bat out of Hellvar" was released on Kimi in 2007. Buy it @ Gogoyoko
Hellvar @ MySpace
Fanpage of Hellvar

Ikea Satan "The Wait"

A song from Ikea Satan's EP "Sound of the Planet". This 3 track EP was released on Ching Ching Bling Bling Records in December 2010. The trio consisting of Unnur  (drums, vocals), Pétur (guitar, vocals) & Hannes (bass, vocals) is currently working on their debut album to be released March 2011.
There are a lot of more interestings acts on Ching Ching Bling Bling Label .

"Beyond Sigur Rós": A New Documentary about Icelandic music by Serious Feather

New 30 minute documentary about Icelandic music by Serious Feather. Watch "Beyond Sigur Rós" entirely here.
Here's the trailer:

Featuring interviews with Grapevine's Haukur S. Magnússon, Ólafur Arnalds, Pétur Úlfur Einarsson & Hafsteinn Michael Guðmundsson of Gogoyoko. And of course it contains some music by Hafdis Huld, Berndsen, Mugison, Ólafur Arnalds, Lára Rúnars, Bloodgroup, For A Minor Reflection, Seabear, Sykur, Severed Crotch and DJ Musician.

Interview with Benni Hemm Hemm

The Line of Best Fit had an interview with Benni Hemm Hemm, read it here.
Tell us a little about where you’re from: do your surroundings affect the music that you create?
I’m from Iceland. I think my surroundings – which are in fact Scottish at the moment – don’t have that much to do with my music, not at least the ones associated with the country itself. The language and the mentality is a bigger factor, and that definitely affects my music. I don’t know how to explain this without going on for too long, but the Icelandic language is very special and the Icelandic mentality is very straight forward and brutal, which I think affects all music from Iceland. Which doesn’t say anything about the sound, because ther is no Icelandic sound, but there’s a common ground in the approach to writing and presenting the music.
Benni & his band are performing tomorrow 27. January 2011 @ The Lexington, London
More Tour Dates:
28.1.2011 Buffalo Bar, Cardiff
29.1.2011 South Street Arts Centre, Reading
European Tour
11.2.2011 La Route du Rock Festival, Rennes CH
12.2.2011 One Of A Million Festival, Baden CH
13.2.2011 E-Werk, Erlangen DE
14.2.2011 Blue Shell, Köln DE
16.2.2011 Musigbistrot, Bern CH (solo)
17.2.2011 Plug & Play Festival, Lyon FR (solo)
19.2.2011 Nordklang Festival, St. Gallen CH (solo)
BHH

Interview with FM Belfast backstage in Germany

Lóa & Árni of FM Belfast interviewed by the German LAXMag on 12. November 2010 backstage @ Atomic Café in Munich.

Song of the 199. Week is Ljótu Hálfvitarnir's "Bjór, meiri bjór"

199. Song of the Week is Ljótu Hálfvitarnir's song "Bjór, meiri bjór" (Beer, more beer).
The band's name means iterally "The Ugly Idiots", but perhaps closer to "Stupid Bastards".
Ljótu hálfvitarnir is a punkish folk band. Nine guys brought together by love of music, words, fun and beer. They released 3 albums, all called Ljótu Hálfvitarnir, but with a different colour used for the title.



Ljótu Hálfvitarnir's Website

Havarí @ Austurstræti Shop News

Havarí Shop @ Austurstræti Shop has to find another location. They're gonna build a new hotel on this spot @ Austurstraeti.

Ensími "Ráfandi" Live Video

Ensími
"Ráfandi"

Bróðir Svartúlfs "Velkomin" Official Video

Bróðir Svartúlfs
"Velkomin" (Welcome)
Directed by Bowen Staines

Iceland Unplugged with Lay Low, Agent Fresco & Mugison @ Danish North Atlantic House on Thursday 27. January 2011

Island Unplugged
Lay Low, Agent Fresco & Mugison

@ Nordatlantens Brygge/North Atlantic House (Denmark)

Thursday 27. January 2011 @ 20:00

In between the gigs there are Question & Answer sessions.
Mugison Q&A with Jesper Reginal of Crunchy Frog 
Lay Low Q&A with DJ & P3-vært Le Gammeltoft
Agent Fresco Q & A with Haukur S. Magnússon of The Reykjavík Grapevine  
Tickets @
 180 DKR @ www.politikenbillet.dk/nordatlanten
Doors: 210 DKR

Muckfest @ Faktorý on Friday 4. February 2011

MUCKFEST

Friday 4. February  2011

Mammút
MUCK
Sudden Weather Change
Swords of Chaos
Me, The Slumbering Napoleon

Doors @ 21:00
Program @ 21:30
Admission: 1000 IKR
http://www.facebook.com/mammutmusic
http://www.facebook.com/swordsofchaos
http://www.facebook.com/Suddenwc
http://www.myspace.com/slumberingnapoleon
http://www.muckhc.net/

Bloodgroup @ Volkano, Heidelberg, Germany on Thursday 5. February 2011

Bloodgroup @ Volkano

@ 21:00

Dossenheimer Landstrasse 125

Heidelberg, Germany

Admission: 10 EUR

Having released one of the very best albums of 2009 in Iceland according to critics and others alike, Bloodgroup have risen from making simple electro pop in run-down houses in East- Iceland to something much bigger.
Bloodgroup is made up of three talented Icelandic siblings, Hallur, Raggi and Lilja, and Faroese techno mastermind Janus.
This four-piece band is known for sensational live shows, their captivating melodies and powerfully crafted brand of electronic music. Bloodgroup released their debut album, "Sticky Situation", in November 2007. The album was very well received, and Bloodgroup were considered as one of the most interesting bands in Iceland following its release. The next two years were spent mostly on touring, playing festivals like SXSW in Austin, Texas, NXNE in Toronto, Canada, Roskilde festival in Denmark, CMJ in New York, Eurosonic in the Netherlands and Iceland Airwaves.
Bloodgroup's second album, "Dry Land", was released in Iceland on 2. December 2009. It has been one of the most successful albums in Iceland since its release, praised by critics and the first single, My Arms, has done extremely well on Icelandic radio. Dry Land received the Icelandic independent "Kraumur" Album awards and has been called "the best album of the year" by most critics in Iceland, and has been described as a big step forward for the band.
http://www.myspace.com/bloodgroup
http://www.facebook.com/bloodgroupmusic
http://twitter.com/#!/bloodgroup
http://www.gogoyoko.com/#/artist/bloodgroup

Dikta @ Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, London on Thursday 20. January 2011

Dikta 

Teengirl Fantasy (US)  - Treefight For Sunlight (DK)

@ Hoxton Square Bar And Kitchen

2-4 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6NU

Thursday 20. January 2011

Admission: £6 advance, £8 regular

Doors: 8pm

Tickets available @ here
Dikta
 "Goodbye" Video
 

More Sonic Iceland

The guys of Sonic Iceland have started to put some stories online now.
Check it out: for example an interview with Bloodgroup

Song of the 198. Week is Skálmöld"s "Kvaðning"

198. Song of the Week is a song by the Viking Folk Metal band Skálmöld. This track "Kvaðning"is featured on their concept album about the viking "Baldur, released on the Faroese Tutl label.

 

Buy the album @ Gogoyoko
Skálmöld's Website

Skálmöld @ MySpace
Live @ Sódóma 13. November 2010

Music Alliance Pact (MAP) # 28 (January 2011)

 It's time for the 28th I love Icelandic music/Icelandic Music Maffia contribution to an international initiative, the Music Alliance Pact, aka MAP. I take part in this Blog Alliance since the start in October 2008. On a monthly basis music bloggers from around the globe select a track from their country which is then posted collectively and simultaneously on those blogs - giving each nation's track international exposure.
A trip around the world in 35 songs with a take off in Iceland:
This month I contributed the song "Góða Konan" by the band Miri for Iceland.

Miri was born at the LungA festival in the East Fjords of Iceland in 2003.The debut EP "Fallegt Þorp" was recorded live one night during this festival in 2005. Produced by Curver Thoroddsen. The band plays almost wordless, progressive noise mixed with beautiful guitar work.
The song "Góða konan" is featured on their in 2010 released full album "Okkar" (Kimi Records).


 

To download all 35 songs in one file click here

ARGENTINA: Zonaindie
Les Mentettes Orchestra - Cosmic Sidewalks
Les Mentettes Orchestra is the augmented version of Les Mentettes, a psychedelic pop band from Buenos Aires that features more than 20 musicians live on stage. A couple of years ago we featured one of their early recordings, but now it's time to unveil a great song from their first and self-titled album. It was recorded live at ION, a legendary studio that still works with tape and analog equipment. The album is available on iTunes and there's also a video of Cosmic Sidewalks.


AUSTRALIA: Who The Bloody Hell Are They?
Spartak - Nightshift (Version)
Spartak were one of many great bands I discovered on the recently released compilation, The Sound of Young Canberra, which is full of exciting music from the oft-forgotten titular city. Spartak's tune stands out amongst a very strong set that makes a solid case for reevaluating Australia's capital as something of an emerging cultural hub. Nightshift (Version) reminds me of a Spoon demo, bringing together Spoon's knack for effortless songs draped in subtle studio trickery. I look forward to more from these guys.


BRAZIL: Meio Desligado
Apanhador SÛ - Maria Augusta
Contagious and catchy, Maria Augusta is an indie semi-hit from Apanhador SÛ, a band from the cold south of Brazil who released a good album last year that can be downloaded for free via their website. They're part of a new scene of bands who sing in Portuguese, of which they are considered one of the greatest revelations. Maria Augusta quietly shows a group that do not take the easy route - they explore alternative ways of making music, such as using a bicycle wheel as an instrument.


CANADA: I(Heart)Music
Hooded Fang - Laughing
Think of The Strokes. Now think of The Strokes if they slowed things down considerably, but still managed to retain all their cool and catchiness. Got a picture/sound in your head? Then, as Laughing shows, you've got a good idea of what Hooded Fang sounds like.


CHILE: Super 45
Elefante Mec·nico - GÈnesis
GÈnesis heralds the comeback of Elefante Mec·nico after their celebrated Memorias De Un Elefante album, self-released in 2008. In this record, Bame, Jota and DJ Antioch pick up on old school hip-hop sounds, throwing inspired rhymes about cosmos, love and eternity.


CHINA: Wooozy
Pet Conspiracy - Beyond
Beijing-based Pet Conspiracy plays funky, danceable electronic music that takes influences from punk-rock, new wave and disco. The band consists of two female singers, a guitar/synthesizer player and a drummer. Lead guitarist Hu Zi is already an established artist in the Beijing underground scene as an electronic musician. Pet Conspiracy is known for their high-energy live performances and the array of toys and costumes they bring on stage. They have just returned from a successful tour of Europe.


COLOMBIA: Colombia Urbana
The Colombian Party Cartel - La Murga De Colombia
Two Colombians and one gringo make up The Colombian Party Cartel. The crew resides in the United States, where every weekend they mix the best Colombian music. Carey James is the lead vocalist and principal producer of CPC. La Murga De Colombia samples a Willie ColÛn song and creates a new fusion of Colombian cumbia and urban style.


DENMARK: All Scandinavian
CODY - The Light
The vessel for frontman Kaspar Kaae's musical output, alternative country and Americana seven-piece CODY hit it big in Denmark in 2009 with their excellent debut album Songs, from which The Light is taken. Come March they'll play both Canadian Music Fest and SXSW, and if you're around Toronto March 9-13 and/or Austin March 16-20 (no specific dates or venues yet) be sure to check ou Cody - they're really a great live band as well.


ENGLAND: The Guardian Music Blog
Anna Calvi - Suzanne And I
If you're only going to pay attention to one name on all those Tips For 2011 lists then let it be Anna Calvi. Her influences ñ from Morricone soundtracks to doomy goth and opera ñ suggest her music could be preposterously overblown, yet Calvi is clearly an expert when it comes to dynamics and restraint. Cavernous drums open proceedings on Suzanne And I, then ominous, twanging guitar lines ring out before Calvi steps up to the microphone. Each new addition ratchets up the tension a notch, drawing you in so that, by the time Calvi's wailing away on top of thundering riffs, crashing cymbals and a couple of spare kitchen sinks, you're too involved to notice. Her self-titled debut album is out on Domino on January 17.†


ESTONIA: Popop
Galvanic Elephants - Rum Rumble
Galvanic Elephants hail from Tartu. They came together in August 2010 and have released only one single so far, but that one song has earned them praise from critics and music bloggers and created anticipation for new material that should be released soon. With no concerts announced so far either, Rum Rumble is the only chance to enjoy the rough sound of Galvanic Elephants right now, but it definitely makes you want more.


FINLAND: Glue
On Volcano - Acceleration Of Heartbeat
On Volcano is one of the best underground bands in the Finnish indie scene. They play obscure post-rock songs with long instrumental movements and intense dynamics and atmospherics. Their latest EP is available for free on their website.


GERMANY: Blogpartei
Sizarr - Fake Foxes
Sizarr are lucky guys. Yet to finish school, they have already played big festivals in Germany such as the renowned Melt! without being signed to a label yet. These three guys from Landau have a very distinctive style, especially singer Fabian Altstˆtter, whose voice is very dark and uses a memorable stretching technique. Together they create modern electonica landscapes inspired by many other genres. They plan to record their debut album this year.


GREECE: Mouxlaloulouda
drog_A_tek - In_No_Sense
The movie Homeland, directed by Syllas Tzoumerkas, is an explosive parable of Greece coming apart at the seams, shown through the spectrum of a dysfunctional family, which decides to give up one of its members for adoption to a richer relative. The original music score, a compelling concoction of styles that continually surprises, reflects precisely those feelings. drog_A_tek, a band that records moments in real-time and produces temporary audiovisual environments, uses objects, analogue and digital musical instruments, typewriters, frequencies, recording archives/waste and technology landscapes to depict the film's mood. As a result of this, no moment of Homeland is left unfilled with sparkling music ideas. Listen to In_No_Sense, where their ingenuity shines.


ICELAND: Icelandic Music Maffia
Miri - Góða konan
Miri began at the LungA festival in the east fjords of Iceland in 2003. The debut EP, "Fallegt Þorp", was recorded live one night during this festival in 2005, produced by Curver Thoroddsen. The band plays almost wordless, progressive noise mixed with beautiful guitar work. "Góða konan" is featured on their 2010 full album "Okkar".


INDIA: Indiecision
Adam And The Fish Eyed Poets - Little Monkeys
Adam And The Fish Eyed Poets is the solo project of Kishore Krishna from Chennai. His music finds a place between the lush industrial sound of Nine Inch Nails and rootsy American rockabilly. Little Monkeys comes from his debut album, Snakeism. Featuring several clinky electronica bells and whistles, it is a resounding tune that is over almost as quickly as it starts. It's a builder in a hurry; a chorus-heavy singalong that's emphatic and imminently memorable.


INDONESIA: Deathrockstar
((Auman)) - W.K.G.G.
Auman means "animal's roar", and their music is wild, dirty and full of energy - like a tiger deep in the Sumatra jungle that is ready to eat its prey. ((Auman)) is the latest group worth hearing in the local headbanger scene.


IRELAND: Nialler9
Retarded Cop - Copvan
Formerly of Dublin punk rockers Moutpiece, Gaz Le Rock has expanded his repertoire into an amazing 30-minute radio show called The Loving Room Floor and is now releasing tunes at a blistering pace as Retarded Cop, a project which has the catchiest pop-punk tunes you'll hear all year. A debut LP is forthcoming.


ISRAEL: Metal Israel
Yerachmiel - Yom Shekulo
Yerachmiel "Rocky" Ziegler is an international musician who owns Little Apple Studios in the trendy Jerusalem artists' enclave Nachlaot. He is an authentically indie artist, though his work is distributed worldwide and features on several albums. Yerachmiel's music spans several genres but this specific song, Yom Shekulo, is a trance-rock rendition of ancient Passover liturgy that speaks of Messianic times (and it really picks up quite nicely in the middle).


ITALY: Polaroid
Young Wrists - I Want You To Disappear
Alberto and Letizia come from the coastal town of Pesaro and there is definitely a breezy, summery shade in their jangly, noisy pop. Behind their C86 abrasive guitars and shining melodies you can hear a bright ode to adolescence and nostalgia, in the vein of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart or Dum Dum Girls. Well, you can decide not to trust me because I am too involved and helped them release their debut 7'' (on We Were Never Being Boring), but just listen to this bittersweet bonus track and fall in love right now.


MEXICO: Red Bull PanameriKa
Disco Ruido! - Amorfos
Although Disco Ruido! has made its name in Mexico City's hipster nightlife as a non-stop party combo, their debut album delves into a neon-blurred nostalgia from lost childhood afternoons watching pop stars miming on TV. Mercedes sings like a doll high on ephedrine (no doubt this song's title is translated as "amorphous"), while the band explores the enormous legacy of harmonies that dwell in the Mexican collective memory. I wish ThalÌa and Paulina Rubio (the glamour-pusses from seminal 80s teenybopper group Timbiriche) could be doing this kind of sophisti-pop.


NETHERLANDS: Unfold Amsterdam
Lola Kite - Everything's Better
At times pop trio Lola Kite can't resist the playfulness of lo-fi, losing themselves to retro electro-pop tech and washes of hazy, melodic psychedelia - which undoubtedly reminds you of Animal Collective when combined. However, their debut album Lights, finally released this month following loads of gigging promise, shows they're more than a quirky and charming proposition, upping their game with upbeat and snappy dance-pop gems such as Everything's Better.


NEW ZEALAND: Einstein Music Journal
Golden Axe - Telephone
There's nothing like the enthusiastic waveform tones of Golden Axe. Named after the Sega game, Chris Cudby and Daif Kent's keyboard-based band has been making party-friendly psychedelic music since late 2001. True to their fun and eccentric form, the July release party for their latest album, Fantasy Footwork, saw them play inside a giant paper m‚chÈ igloo that they made themselves. Download the Telephone EP and buy Fantasy Footwork from their Bandcamp.


NORWAY: Birds Sometimes Dance
Aristillus - Dying, Keep Dying
The members of Aristillus are aged 17 and 18 but, in spite of their youth, they sound much more mature than many other hardcore bands. With heavy drums, sharp guitars and lyrics as dark as their sound, I believe they'll soon get a lot more attention. Their influences are Norwegian hardcore bands such as Snˆras, JR Ewing, Kollwitz and Rumble In Rhodos, and they're releasing their debut album, Devoured Trees & Crystal Skies, on January 24 on the Norwegian indie label Fysisk Format. Aristillus is playing at by:Larm 2011 and I'm quite sure that won't be the last you'll hear from them this year.


PERU: SoTB
Voz Propia - Lentes Amarillos
With a career spanning more than 20 years, Voz Propia is still current, their sound having been renewed to the demands of each time. El Manifesto is their eighth production and it could be the definitive work of this mature band. Post-punk is the essence in their sound again so hold on, Voz Propia is back.


PORTUGAL: Posso Ouvir Um Disco?
Balla - EquilÌbrio?
Armando Teixeira, who has been playing in bands and as a solo artist for more than 25 years, is one of the most talented contemporary musicians and producers of modern Portuguese music. He is a creative multi-instrumentist and sought-after producer for labels and studios. Balla is one of his solo projects and we wish to thank Armando for letting MAP make EquilÌbrio? the first free, worldwide downloadable track from latest album EquilÌbrio.


ROMANIA: Babylon Noise
Nebulosa - Trains
Nebulosa is the music space child of three people living on different continents: Noamme, Andrei and Vladimir. The sound is dreamy and sincere, using very simple chord structures and lyrics. Their debut EP, Chimes, can be downloaded from their website, a free ticket to the stars.


SCOTLAND: The Pop Cop
Aaron Wright & The Aprils - Go On Yer Self
Aaron Wright & The Aprils' self-titled debut album, due out conveniently enough in April, features guest vocal contributions from Camera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell and Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake as well as instrumental ones from Belle & Sebastian duo Stevie Jackson and Mick Cooke. Those influences certainly makes themselves heard on Go On Yer Self, which mixes a classic Scottish folk-rock sound with a strong helping of Beatles-esque melody-making. The 24-year-old shaggy-haired Edinburgh singer and his band will be heading out on tour in March as support to The Charlatans. The ingenious video for their new single, Trampoline, is also worth a look.


SINGAPORE: I'm Waking Up To...
Kevin Lester - Rockstar 2.0 feat Vanessa Fernandez
Hip hop isn't something one associates with Singapore's music scene, but it exists, usually even more underground than rock, metal or hardcore. Ironically, it's in response to rampant commercial radio that the local music community, regardless of style, has become a close-knit family. In his debut, Kevin Lester brings out the collaborative and experimental strengths of hip hop, forging a sound with slashes of rock and soul, and working with some of the country's best singers to put out a record with incredible heart and talent.


SOUTH AFRICA: Musical Mover & Shaker!
Thieve - Champion
Thieve are a trio hailing from the hub of Cape Town, whose motto and reason for picking the band name comes from the fact that "nothing is original - everybody steals". While you can hear that sentiment heavily influences their song, Champion, they maintain a unique feel with their melding of swirling pop rhythms, a soft rock sound and a nostalgic lovestruck feel to their lyrics. With the experience of all the members being involved in previous well-known bands, they've turned Thieve into a tight-knit group that is set to take over the rock 'n' roll scene.


SOUTH KOREA: Indieful ROK
Swimmingdoll - Last Take
After a year in the making, experimental shoegaze band Swimmingdoll were finally ready to present their first album, 8wimmingdoll, in the last weeks of 2010. Last Take is a gorgeous layered production with a sound well suited for "the infinite world of the spacewalk" the band wish to portray.


SPAIN: Musikorner
Oblique - Without Making Noise
Oblique's music and aesthetic could remind us of 80s electro-industrial music (or even EBM) bands and, certainly, their biggest inspiration comes from dark synthpop acts such as The Human League or Ladytron. Without Making Noise, the second single taken from the eponymous album of this trio from Barcelona, features dark atmospherics and, of course, a catchy chorus. It's got what it takes to be a perfect futurepop track.


SWEDEN: Swedesplease
Klifton Filente - It Takes A Thorn To Remove A Thorn
Klifton Filente is one of the underappreciated, unsigned and relatively unknown artists from Sweden that I am keeping my eye on. On the song It Takes A Thorn To Remove A Thorn, taken from their Common Ground album, you can hear echoes of Crosby, Stills and Nash as well as the lilting folk-pop of early Paul Simon.


SWITZERLAND: 78s
Aie Áa Gicle - Whisper Jet
Sonic Youth is the keyword when it comes to Aie Áa Gicle's musical universe. But the band's debut album S.Y.R.U.P. offers more than just a blueprint. Their influences range from post-punk to grunge to post-rock. They pile guitar layer upon guitar layer, interlace some catchy refrains and try to be as laid-back as possible.


UNITED STATES: I Guess I'm Floating
Smith Westerns - Weekend
Chicago's Smith Westerns break out of the relatively dull and dispassionate tunes of their first record and, in the upcoming Dye It Blonde LP, give us 2011's first truly great album. It's a wonderful construction upon the flashy glam rock that gave careers to David Bowie and T-Rex, endlessly listenable and replayable, particularly opening track Weekend.


VENEZUELA: Barquisimeto
Greasy Grapes - Candles In The Rain
Greasy Grapes are a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll band formed in Caracas in early 2006. Their music is influenced by American traditional southern music, which also inspired legendary bands in the late 60s and 70s such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Faces, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the The Allman Brothers Band. Candles In The Rain is taken from Greasy Grapes' 2009 debut album At The Back Of The Hill, which blends a vintage vibe with rock, soul, blues and country sounds.