The melodic glitch music master Shuta Hasunuma from Tokyo, Japan lets loose an endless array of gorgeous and restless rhythms and melodies on his new LP Pop Ooga. Throughout the album he seamlessly folds funky bass and synth lines, graceful guitar, and breathy vocal harmonies into his web of glitch-pop-concrete. Like the album’s artwork, the music evokes its own unique design – neatly cut acoustic edges within a new, visceral, time-lapsed version of reality. Literally blending bells and whistles into an infectious, breezy dose of melodic sunshine, expect to be caught in an addictive, vinyl trance that will have you eagerly resetting your stylus again and again. If you enjoy experimental music you should definitely consider checking out his new album. Two of my favorite songs from the album are “Soul OSCI” and the more soothing “Vol Struggle”. This is a much more melodic and ambient style of the glitch-music/glitch-pop genre and its surprisingly refresh to the ears.

VOL STRUGGLE – Shuta Hasunuma
Download audio file (3 VOL STRUGGLE.mp3)

SOUL OSCI – Shuta Hasunuma
Download audio file (2 SOUL OSCI.mp3)

iTunes – Amazon – Website – Myspace

On my path to discover new music albums, I can’t help but tell you about the amazing alternative rock quartet from Sydney, Australia – Sparkadia. Since the release of their album “Postcards”, they have gained an enormous amount of attention in Australia and the UK touring and opening to bands like Jimmy Eat World, and Vampire Weekend.

Their upbeat catchy rock style and the constant incorporation of different musical elements into each song has made their album “Postcards” a must-listen. The Album starts off with “Too Much to Do”, which has a relaxed and rhythmic guitar riff that provides the vocalist Alex Burnett the foundation for his harmonious vocals to soar and glide through the entire song just as gracefully as those guys with wing suits jumping off a mountain. “Connect” is a another very mellow/melodic song in the album that compliments “Too Much To Do”.

My favorite song start at track seven, titled “Animals”, with an explosive, hard-hitting intro on the drums as a fully reverbed guitar plays a tiny solo; the solo merges into verse one where the atmosphere settles down a bit and a tightly coordinated rhythmic guitar riff sets the tempo for the rest of the song – or so you think – until the song throws another soothing surprise at you.

However, I consider the catchiest song in the album to be “Jealousy”, with its heart-felt vocals screaming the very title of the song with an interwoven guitar progression that is simply uplifting. If you enjoy listening to Coldplay you will certainly enjoy this song a lot.

Postcard was only released to the UK and Australia during the summer of 2008. Although there hasn’t been a USA release announced, you can still buy their albums through iTunes and Amazon.com.

“Animals”

Download audio file (07%20Animals.mp3)

“Jealousy”

Download audio file (10%20Jealousy.mp3)

“Too Much To Do”

Download audio file (01%20Too%20Much%20To%20Do.mp3)

Official Web Site - MySpace - Buy