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half waif // wooden horse

Half Waif began in earnest last summer with the self-released single "Vespers". This was followed up in the fall with "Black Mountains" as part of a split 7" with Deerhoof for Famous Class' Less Artists More Condos series. These early offerings from Brooklynite Nandi Rose Plunkett's avant bedroom project, while beautiful, were a bit sparse. The same can hardly be said for the songs found on new EP, Future Joys. Having expanded to a three piece, the sound is much fuller. And nowhere is this more evident than on the sparkling "Wooden Horse".

Half Waif will be playing the amazingly named Dreamcastle in Philly on August 16.

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forest swords // the weight of gold

It's been three years since Wirral, UK based producer Matthew Barnes, aka Forest Swords, dropped his exquisite Dagger Paths EP. Back in June, he offered up new track "Thor's Stone". And now comes "The Weight Of Gold". Both have been confirmed to appear on next month's full length debut, Engravings. Until then, why not watch the video for Dagger Paths standout "Miarches" on an endless loop?

Engravings is out August 26 via Tri Angle.

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la luz // brainwash

Earlier this week saw the release of "Brainwash", the new single by Seattle surf rock/girl group hybrid La Luz. Stream it, along with b-side "T.V. Dream", here. And afterward, check out the video for "Call Me In the Day" from the band's Damp Face EP.

And be sure to check the band out on their current tour, which stops off tonight at the MakeSpace in Harrisburg.

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yuck // rebirth

London outfit Yuck have returned with a new single. The appropriately titled "Rebirth" is their first new material since the departure of frontman Daniel Blumberg back in April. Guitarist Max Bloom will take over vocal duties. The shoegazey track is from their as yet untitled new album due out later this year via Fat Possum.

Check out the sorta video for "Rebirth", as well as Bloom's lone prior vocal contribution "Operation" below.

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u.s. girls // work from home

Back in October, Toronto resident (American native) Meghan Remy released the overlooked yet appropriately titled Gem, her fourth full length as U.S. Girls. And today brings the premiere of a video for album highlight "Work From Home".

Remy will be hitting the road next month with husband Slim Twig, including stops at Comet Ping Pong in DC February 13, Ottobar in Baltimore February 14 and PhilaMOCA February 15. The Baltimore date is in support of Psychic Ills.

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angel olsen // sweet dreams

Back in September, Angel Olsen released her full length debut Half Way Home, an album who's dreamy folk we thought so much of that we placed it on our year end list. Not being one to rest on her laurels, she has since teamed up with Marissa Nadler to cover Richard and Linda Thompson's "Withered and Died". And later this month, she'll put out a new 7'. Here is a video for the A-side "Sweet Dreams".

The Sleepwalker 7" comes out January 15 on Japanese imprint Sixteen Tambourines.

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end hits

The year is basically over, so we present you with our favorite albums of 2012.

20. Habits & Contradictions by ScHoolboy Q

19. Ekstasis by Julia Holter

18. Interstellar by Frankie Rose

17. Shrines by Purity Ring

16. Lucifer by Peaking Lights

15. Devotion by Jessie Ware

14. Nocturne by Wild Nothing

13. Mature Themes by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

12. Half Way Home by Angel Olsen

11. Visions by Grimes

10. Something by Chairlift

9. America by Dan Deacon

8. Kill For Love by Chromatics

7. Shields by Grizzly Bear

6. Tender Opposites by TOPS

5. The Idler Wheel... by Fiona Apple

4. Lonerism by Tame Impala

3. Bloom by Beach House

2. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar

1. channel ORANGE by Frank Ocean

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fear of men // mosaic

Fear of Men is a dream pop band out of Brighton. Last month they released "Mosaic", the latest installment of the Too Pure Singles Club. They are currently at work on their debut album, which is due out next year. In the meantime, watch the cryptic "Mosaic" video and listen to their take on the Chill's classic "Pink Frost".

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surahn // watching the world

"Watching the World" is the debut single from DFA's newest signing, Surahn. Formerly a member of Adelaide disco outfit the Swiss, Surahn still retains his old band's penchant for making music that's ready for the dance floor. But here he seems more interested in soundtracking the end of the night than trying to keep the party going.

"Watching the World" is out today digitally, with a physical release soon to follow.

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empress of // champagne

Over the past month, Brooklynite Lorely Roriquez has been posting a series of clips that she refers to as colorminutes. These brief collages of song and color are the introductory statement for her sound and vision project, Empress Of. Today she follows these up with debut single "Champagne". It is the second release from No Recordings, who earlier this year put out the debut of Atlanta outfit Moons. Watch the video for "Champagne" below and also check out b-side "Don't Tell Me".

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diana // born again

Toronto newcomers DIANA have been receiving a lot of love for their blissed out disco gem "Born Again". And seemingly no one has been more generous with their affection than Forest Family, who will be releasing "Born Again" as a 12" single in the coming months.

Edit: The original link has been removed. DIANA has sinced signed with Jagjaguwar and released their full length debut, Perpetual Surrender. So now you can check out the official "Born Again" video below.

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solange // losing you

Solange is the younger sister of Beyoncé Knowles. But while big sis is arguably the most famous pop star in the world, Solange has been busy cultivating some serious indie cred. Whether it's covering (and occasionally performing with) the Dirty Projectors, collaborating with bff Kevin Barnes or leaving the ranks of the majors to sign with Grizzly Bear bassist Chris Taylor's Terrible imprint, the younger Knowles seems determined to establish herself outside of her famous sibling's shadow. The Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange) produced "Losing You" is the first single from Solange's forthcoming EP, which is due out next year.

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jens lekman // i know what love isn't

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Jens Lekman // I Know What Love Isn't 2012, Secretly Canadian

It's been five years since Jens Lekman's last full length, Night Falls on Kortedala, came out. Having built a career on making lovelorn baroque pop, one couldn't help but hope that perhaps the gap between releases meant he had finally found some happiness. If the title wasn't indication enough, Lekman takes little time to let you know he's as dejected as ever.

After the gentle piano introduction of "Every Hair Knows Your Name", comes the morning after heartache of "Erica America". With it's saxophone solo and declaration of "Erica America, I wish I'd never met you", it sets the tone for most of what follows. That saxophone reappears frequently, along with other easy listening accoutrements, to prop up Lekman as he recounts the details of a particularly nasty breakup. But even at his lowest, he's still able to keep the album from being completely mired in self pity. "A broken heart is not the end of the world, because the end of the world is bigger than love" he declares. It's a realization that takes most of us far too long to realize. But Jens figures it out in less than forty minutes. Maybe he's not doing so bad after all.

Jens will be at Union Transfer October 11 and the 9:30 Club October 12. Both dates are with Taken By Trees.

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petite noir // pressure

Petite Noir is the solo project of Popskarr singer/guitarist Yannick Iluga. The Cape Town native's first offering under the moniker came back in June with "Disappear". This was soon followed by breakthrough "Till We Ghosts". And today comes new single "Pressure". It's unknown if any of these tracks will appear on a future album, but Iluga has promised more music to come before year's end.

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naomi punk signs to captured tracks

Captured Tracks has announced the signing of Olympia noisemakers Naomi Punk. On November 20 the label will reissue the band's debut The Feeling, which came out earlier this year on Couple Skate. Watch the video for album cut "Burned Body".

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hundred waters // hydrodictyon

Gainesville avant pop upstarts Hundred Waters have a new video for the song "Hydrodictyon", from their wonderful self-titled debut. Check it out below.

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animal collective // centipede hz

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Animal Collective // Centipede Hz 2012, Domino

At this point in their career, Animal Collective are no longer in need of an introductory statement. People know who they are. And most of those people love them. Critical darlings and perennial festival headliners, they've reached a minor Radiohead like status. As such, it's generally accepted that anything they do is head and shoulders above whatever anyone else is doing. But with this, album number nine, one can't help but wonder if being so far ahead has made them a little lazy?

First things first: This is not Merriweather Post Pavilion part two. If anything, it's a return to their more rambshackly roots.