Alex Krüger – better known as Tigerskin/Dub Taylor/Korsakow – most recently (and very generously) uploaded Psychoplasma - a nine-track LP recorded in Berlin between the years of ’94-’96 via his ambient/electronic project with Jan Gabler, Psycho Plasma. This material was originally only available through the limited amount of CD copies that were released by Futurepop Recordings in 1996.

The album includes tracks like “Künstliche Freiheit”; a harsh fusion of sounds ranging from mechanical squelches, bubble popping and repetitive drones to flickering metallic prisms that can only be reminiscent of what interstellar communication might sound like – to slightly more accessible material like “Wellensittich”;  a celestial nature tribute that delivers layering echoes of clapping woodblocks in company with reoccurring animalistic howling and a strong, pulsating beat that softens and balances the sounds of piercing tweets and chirps.

The collection communicates a soundtrack that will both soothe and disturb. Further exploration of Psychoplasma is available below for streaming and free download.

We introduced you to Jewellers just a few months back with some haunting electro-synth remedies from their debut release. Since then, they’ve been remixing all sorts of other new artists, but more importantly, have been working on their sophomore LP coming later this year.

Earlier this month, the duo began releasing some new material for the album and, to say the least, we’re extremely psyched for what’s to come. The first track off the album is titled “Sing Trees,” which brings glitchy synth-pop alongside a spattering beat for some variety in the album’s introduction. On a more rhythmic side, the duo unleashed “Easier Together” on Friday, which has provides a whole new perspective of their capabilities. The six minute track flexes their known synth-pop production and smoothens it into a funky flow of light guitar strums and vocals for a quite relaxing yet danceable piece. No further info has been announced for the forthcoming album yet but stay tuned on their Facebook or SoundCloud as they may surprise us with some news in the next few weeks.

UK’s electro-pop group, Hot Chip, have definitely made good, weird impressions with music over the past couple years. Whether with their awkward yet pleasing personalities, videos, or live performances, chances are you’ve stumbled upon one of their original acts before. Well don’t engrave your favorites quite yet, the five-piece group just announced the release of their 5th studio album In Our Heads to be released this coming June via Domino.

During the short hiatus since their last album in 2010, the group dispersed into separate start-up bands, some of which are still active in. Hearing this album news, I’m relieved knowing that they haven’t forgot about Hot Chip and are still progressing on good terms. They’ve also began to book a number of gigs across Europe and the U.S. beginning in June, which I highly recommend going to. Continuing with good news, they’ve shared the new track entitled “Flutes” which which they describe as “a perfect introduction to the new album.” The track, thankfully, holds Hot Chip’s signature vocals and frantic synths and beats that most listeners fell in love with from their previous work. You can enter to win one of the 20 signed, limited edition white label 12” of the track by simply signing up on their new mailing list.

Hot Chip – Flutes

Read more about the In Our Heads LP on their website.

In anticipation of their live debut at U Street Music Hall this Saturday, check out this new video of Volta Bureau performing “Hot” at Subterranean A from this past December. It is, in a word, sensual. DC is certainly in for a treat when the trio hits the club’s stage for the first time this weekend.

You can catch the hometown heros alongside other U Hall mainstays Starks & Nacey and Brian Billion when the venue turns two on Saturday. RSVP for free admission (for 21+) at www.bit.ly/uhall_rsvp. Ages 18-20 can purchase advance tickets here.

When a band shrouded in mystery rises to the surface of the indie blogosphere, it builds an unknown into their visual appeal. The peripheral pair Keep Shelly in Athens known by the monikers of Sarah P. and RPR are downtempo meets trip-hop, in a heavenly and curious combination which combine genres and fosters distant ambiance. As their name suggests, they hail from Athens, Greece. The partnership has successfully created a hazy, ominous appeal, yet has remained relatively under the radar after releasing their first EP Our Own Dream in the fall of last year.

Masking their personal identities is one approach to creating appeal and demand, but the real pull of the shadowy unit comes from their ability to navigate a fantasia-like course, swimming through high and low pitches, and as with the end of “Our Own Dream,” crashing into a shimmery, shoegaze oblivion.

High-pitched vocals from Sarah P. carve half-wake, brooding lullabies in a way that makes you feel like a somnambulist, had Dr. Caligari’s been controlling for causes of good. A repeat of their album will be sure to take you on a painfully honest overdose of sleeping pills taken far too early in the day. If hypnotic side effects like that which just described happens while listening to the blissful duo, surely take a minute’s pause from your headphones, for they can easily drown you into a sea of heavy synth pop.

Another track on their album, “Lazy Noon” builds a promisingly sunny paradise while pressing chords will drift you into a daydream like weary fishermen snoozing away into hammocks. If dozing off and ocean paradise isn’t your kind of relaxation, skip back to their newly released single “Own Our Dream,” or “DIY” both which by having dance-worthy break beats, are altogether more accessible songs.

Sarah P.’s sultry and mystical vocals are what’s most wonderful about the highs and lows of Keep Shelly In Athens. They are perhaps most uncannily reminiscent of Portishead lead singer Beth Gibbons’ work. On the other side there are more seriously memorable bass beats stricken within Keep Shelly in Athens, while layered upon Sarah’s subtle angel voice. If Air’s recent album Le Voyage Dans La Lune has not sufficed your craving for Air since the nineties, Keep Shelly in Athens’ duality might fill that musical gap for the now generation.

Keep Shelly in Athens – Our Own Dream from Thanasis Tsimpinis on Vimeo.