The Sea and Cake - "Harps"

Just marked my calendar for September 18th. My son's name is Archer for a reason and that reason is The Sea and Cake...

  The Sea and Cake - Harps by Thrill Jockey Records

Hidden Orchestra - "Vorka"

Put on the headphones for this one. There is a lot swirling around in the percussive mix - including a cellist playing the saw.

  Hidden Orchestra - Vorka by Tru Thoughts

Saint Kris - "Pretty Face"

With the dark news this morning, it's particularly important to celebrate the sunny things in life. Watch UMFM's Live Session page for an upcoming session with Saint Kris!

Stars - "Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It"

Just do like the title suggests. It's a recipe for a healthy heart. Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It by Stars

Roseaux - "Walking On The Moon (feat. Aloe Blacc)"

Not surprised to see them posting cuts from Aaron Neville, Bill Withers and Rodriguez on the Roseaux Facebook page. This is a subtly soulful track that falls in line with the output of those three and also with a group I wish more folks knew about: The Pair Extraordinaire. There's a jazz underpinning to the piano while the percussion (bongos?) suggests Greenwich-village Beat poetry and folk coffeehouses. Blacc meanwhile delivers the goods as he always does - the man's voice can soar; no surprise he finds himself walking on the moon.

Daughn Gibson - "Lite Me Up"

Part of me feels like this is being played back at half-speed - the drums chug on while the vocals fall behind. Maybe Gibson already got lit up.

Box of Wolves - "Sunlight"

Look for a full-length examination of the Illusions LP over at Ear To The Sound, but for now, enjoy the first single, "Sunlight."

Maria Minerva - "The Sound"

From her forthcoming record Will Happiness Find Me?, certainly listening to "The Sound" I can say it found me. Maria Minerva, "The Sound" by selftitledmag

Beth Orton - "Something More Beautiful"

Disappointed to hear her Winnipeg Folk Festival performance was "underwhelming" considering what an amazing show I witnessed at First Avenue a few years back.

Frank Ocean & The Roots - "Bad Religion"

It wasn't broadcast on Channel Orange, but this aired on Fallon on NBC last night.

First Aid Kit - "Play With Fire"

... yup, you're going to get burned.

  First Aid Kit - Play With Fire by BBC6Music

The Extremities - "Dial Tones (feat. Ghettosocks, Lushlife & Ambition)"

One week tomorrow, The Extremities' Fresh Kils will be plying his skills at the LO Pub alongside Relic, Birdapres, Rational, Abstract Artform and DJ Hunnicutt. It'll be a firecracker of a party.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - "Only In My Dreams"

A breezy little number to cool you off on another scorching summer day.

Frank Ocean - "Sweet LIFE"

Sunny out, cool brews in the fridge at home, work week is over. Fitting that Frank would drop the "Sweet LIFE" on a Friday afternoon...

  Sweet LIFE by Frank Ocean

The Primeridian x Tall Black Guy (Darling Lure) - "Hang On"

Just got hip to Tall Black Guy last week when he reached out to me on Twitter. Loving his stuff. He remixed Maylee Todd's "Hieroglyphics" and has some really awesome beats & production on his lonesome on Hollyweird and Hollyweird 2 (amongst a litany of other titles). Dude is super prolific and he's teamed up with Chicago duo The Primeridian as Darling Lure and the trio just dropped the video for "Hang On" from the Darling Lure record.

Border Crossing - "Just An Ode"

I haven't heard Fat Jon the Ample Soul Physician in ages - man did I love 3582's The Living Soul back in 2001. ELEVEN YEARS AGO!