Mercy is the first full-length album from Aussie band Sister Jane. Jangling guitars drift between roadhouse blues and and rough-riding rockabilly, There is a definite retro feel to the album and it is captured well. Rollicking ‘60s Americana rock’n'roll meets hazy psychedelia through great, catchy almost familiar songs. The band sound like a lost classic rock album from the 70s you’ve only just discovered.

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The PSS PSS deliver 10 tracks of spine chilling uber cool electro pop on their debut “Tired of living in the country". Tracks such as “worldholidays” and “babytwo” are simply rocking electro tracks that are both slick and confronting. The haunting vocals and tight production make this stand out from the pack of electro artists and make this a surprisingly fresh and hip album. The album has already found chart success in Asia and we're sure as this album grows around the world, so will the appreciation for it. It is dark, sexy, intelligent and any fans of electro will welcome the artistry involved from the songwriting to the flawless production.

Polo Club's debut "The 13" gives a very cool twist to Aussie Hip Hop. The Inventive electronic-pop/hip-hop duo Polo Club have made some big moves over the past twelve months including this awesome release. 'The 13' is a collection of experimental hip hop / dance crossover tracks. The album moves around seemlessly and is super bouncy, fresh and stands out against the recent Aussie Hip Hop releases with its' hybrid approach and production. Polo club have had some album-of-the-weeks on Aussie radio and are set to be big !

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Marco Mahler's sophomore release, Laptop Campfire Speed, has created a genuine buzz in the music blogosphere of late. His music has been described as "a collaboration of Nick Drake, Fugazi and Kraftwerk on Unplugged" and as "often drop-dead gorgeous without the slightest bit of adornment". He was born in Chicago, grew up in Switzerland, and is now based in Brooklyn New York.
There is true beauty to be found on this album – Nick Drake is a definite influence, and perhaps also Jose Gonzales, and even the Velvet Underground, but there is a modern edge and freshness with a positive and at times upbeat feel to the album . This is very hip “electro-pop-folk” dare we say, with the light touch on production resulting in a sound both decidedly post-millennial and oddly delicate. The songs are intense and literate without being self conscious or morbid. The real charm is its acoustic intimacy and the private intimate songs that feature calming and looping melodies. Its stark, but highly refreshing  and dreamy. This is a marvelous album and one of those subtle records that gets under your skin in the best possible sense. We adore it !
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Declan and the Antics  debut album  "All my friends" is a brilliant party album featuring awesome upbeat dance/pop songs. Written, performed and produced by Declan Palmer a new and  emerging young multi-talented Aussie artist who has created a very catchy album of 80's inspied rockin gems with modern licks, beats  and attitude. Tracks such as  "Born for the Nightlife" and "Girls don't like boys" are clever, fun and addictive.

The last the media reported on Phil Spector was that he wanted an ipod for company in his prison cell where he now sits for eternity after blowing the head off a girl he’d picked up in a bar. If there was only one album allowed on that ipod it would have to be the new self-titled debut album by the magnificent new Australian art-pop genius Darren Sylvester, although it would truly drive out any remaining sanity from Spector’s fried brain and leave him doomed forever. Oh Phil ! Darren even writes a song about Phil Spector, whilst also channeling his production brilliance, capturing the essence of those timeless John Lennon albums Spector produced. This album also pays homage to the sexy smooth of Roxy Music, and the wit and charm of Bowie with an eerie Lennon like resemblance to the vocal - and all with a calm simplicity and charming fragile melodies. It’s an amazing easy listening treasure this album, on which Sylvester really shows his talents, handling every task on the album from performance to production. He is already an accomplished painter, photographer, sculptor and video artist and what makes this album even more remarkable is this is the first time he has ever recorded anything !

Chemistry, the debut release from Aussie indie/electro act Neon Knights is an "amalgam of insane beatage, firestorming electro and fuck-off huge melodies with massive aplomb"(Beat Magazine) There are some wicked melodies through this EP over very hip production. The songs are tight and the sounds are now and awesome. The band have been growing a loyal following and punching out memorable gigs in Australia, an with this release the future looks good for these hooded lads. It's hands in the air - hit the dance floor with a smile stuff! Rockin !

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Aussie Carl Fox's album, Chunky Rainbow, has been pegged as indietronica or “twee electro indie-pop” by Triple J Home and Hosed presenter Dom Alessio. It's a carefully produced electronic gem, an interesting mix of live instrumentation and electronics. Songs are minimal and raw, breaking-out into beautiful melodies and melancholic instrumentals. The title track "Chunky Rainbow" is so hip its off it's head - sweet charming and quirky -  as the twisted rainbow you think of when you hear it. We love it ! Carl Fox plays live as a five-piece made up of members from his indie band Good Little Fox (also on Playup)!

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Kora are one of the biggest bands in New Zealand and this self titled album has recently gone double platinum. The reggae/dub band make killer songs and they are one of the biggest draws live in their native New Zealand. There is a tough but precise vibe to the band. Tracks on the album such as "Skankenstein" are deep and rolling. There's a groove to all the tracks but depth also to the lyrics, without being to harsh and in your face - it's smoothly done, classy even !

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The Transients deliver festival Dance/Electronica (think The Presets) on their album crossfades. There are some killer tracks "Mischa" and our fave "Hey You'. Warm modern sounds and uber production make this a for-sure Saturday night bang it on party record. These Aussie's (from Perth) are busy and rightly so...the record rocks ! The senses are overloaded here, with thumpin beats packed in tight. The Transients have taken home a swag of industry awards and nominations throughout the last two years, and have been hitting the live scene running.

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“Where Hearts Go Broke” by Seattle-based sci-fi pop band Hotels is an addictive, crisp, and beautifully melodic album. Sizzling synths, chiming guitars and compelling vocal lines dictate the bittersweet, atmospheric pop songs on this record. It’s all here: where the tumbling majesty of Joy Division meets fast-paced chamber pop. It’s a collision of new-wave and dream-pop dynamics that have the pleasure endorphins accelerating up your spine towards your brain in no time… smart, succinct, sassy and every bit special.

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The Checks are back with their much anticipated second album, 'Alice by the Moon'. Self produced and recorded in Auckland's The Lab studio with ace engineer and songsmith Joll Mullholland, the songwriting has taken on a more eclectic and varied sound than the rock and roll swagger of debut album 'Hunting Whales'. There are smooth grooves and falsetto vocals aplenty ("Back of the Restaurant" and "Ballroom Baby"), the Dandy Warhols meets Oasis chiming wall of noise that is the single "You and Me", the garage stomp of "Get Off the Stage Man", the reggae / rock hybrid that New Zealand crowds have grown to love -- "Bagherra", and the quirky strolling pop of "Till the Dance is Over", and many other gems amongst the 13 songs on 'Alice by the Moon'.  A crackin hot album by one of New Zealand’s best bands.  LISTEN