Miniature Tigers - Oblivious 6.3/10

Miniature Tigers are an indie pop rock/synth band now based in New York, USA. This track is taken from their forthcoming album Cruel Runnings which will be released by Modern Art Records in June 2014. After 2012's Mia Pharaoh album turned sharply away from guitar pop towards a glistening synth-pop future, there was some speculation about whether it was a one-album deviation or where the band were really headed for the long term. The first singles released from Cruel Runnings confirm that the synths are (unfortunately) here to stay. As a big fan of their first two predominantly guitar-driven albums I don't see why they've decided to jump into the thoroughly saturated synth band pool and churn out tracks that could be made by almost anyone. The formerly witty, sharp as a whip lyrics and revenge fantasy imaginings just aren't there anymore - lead singer Charlie Brand is still singing about failed relationships using self-deprecating metaphors, but they just don't bite the way they used to. The melody of this pop track is also just a little too, dare I say it, bland to draw more than a cursory listen. The Tigers may be in a bold new synth world but this just doesn't live up to their former standards and doesn't bode well for the new album which is shaping up to be Mia Pharaoh part two.

Glass Gang - Waves 8.7/10

Glass Gang is an experimental electronic group from New York, USA. This track was self-released by the band as a single in 2013. The track takes a simple pattern of electronic beats and buries them in heavy downpours of feedback which recall My Bloody Valentine's wall of sound approach to guitar backdrops. The soft, fluttering vocals and tinkling piano chords glide above the storm of feedback making the overall feeling one of weightlessness, like floating in space or perhaps in the ocean depths. This was one of my favourite tracks of 2013 to sit and bliss out to through headphones, and I hope Glass Gang will live up to the huge promise which this track represents. Taking My Bloody Valentine-style feedback effects and adding electro beats while crafting a pop song out of the result was never going to be an easy thing to pull off, but Glass Gang accomplish it with a track which sounds unlike anything else out there at the moment.

Zammuto - F U C-3PO 9.0/10

Zammuto is the current experimental electronic project of Nick Zammuto, formerly part of the duo behind the band The Books. This track is taken from Zammuto's debut self-titled album which was released by Temporary Residence Records in 2012. After the breakup of The Books at the beginning of 2012, Zammuto toned down the most out-there experimental impulses of The Books and added more of a human touch with increased reliance on real instruments. F U C-3PO begins with a creepy, unsettling beat and distorted vocals which recall Massive Attack's Mezzanine album. This feeling is broken with the arrival of a chorus section of rising chopped vocals (if such a song can be said to have a 'chorus') which releases the tension and lifts the song briefly heavenward before returning to the depths for the second verse. The overall feeling is of meeting a creature deep inside a cave, at least until strummed guitar chords near the end bring the mood back to something more human. This is a track for nocturnal journeys and it rewards repeated listening to focus on the sound of each of its assembled parts and the way they snugly fit together.

Tobacco - Hairy Candy 8.6/10

Tobacco is the psychedelic electronic solo project of Tom Fec from the Pittsburgh-based group Black Moth Super Rainbow. This track is taken from his album Fucked Up Friends which was released by Anticon Records in 2008. Heavily treated vocals echo across a bed of revving synths and robotic beats, and somehow the result feels warm and organic rather than cold and mechanical. The lyrics are almost impenetrable in the mix and consist of just two repeated phrases, "Eat(?) the sun" and "too young", but it's the wistful emotion in the chopped vocal melody which adds depth to the song's headlong rush into what sounds like a trans-dimensional vortex. This is a late-night chillout track to listen to through headphones after watching sci-fi movies.

Doldrums - Egypt 8.6/10

Doldrums is the stage name of Airick Woodhead, an experimental electronic artist from Toronto, Canada, who moved to Montreal to become part of the city's art pop scene. This track is taken from his album called Lesser Evil which was released by Arbutus Records in February 2013. Egypt sounds like an extra track left over from the recording sessions for Bjork's album Post, and that is most certainly intended as a glowing compliment. Most of the album Lesser Evil was recorded on a laptop that he borrowed from his friend Claire Boucher, better known these days as Grimes, and the influence of Grimes, tour mates Purity Ring and the broader Montreal scene are apparent. Lush electronic washes, kick drums and myriad types of percussion compete for attention with sliced and diced samples, while the track's rhythm frequently moves off in unexpected directions deviating from its main beat pattern. This is arguably the strongest piece of work yet produced by Doldrums, and is a good introduction to the album Lesser Evil which is one of 2013's best experimental albums thus far.

Trust - Bulbform 8.5/10

Trust is Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski, a dark electronic synthpop duo from Toronto, Canada. This track is taken from their album TRST which was released by Arts and Crafts Records in 2012. Trust is a side-project of the band Austra, and their approach is similar to that of the parent group, though with a greater emphasis on danceable rhythms and Robert Alfons' voice. The lyrics offer little to enlighten why this song is called 'bulbform', with the repeated refrains of 'it won't last the season in bulbform', and 'seems to me its suffocation'. The spooky tone doesn't detract from the tune's overall danceability; this is dark house music for goths that could persuade people to rise from the dead and dance wildly long after midnight.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Household Goods 7.8/10

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs is the stage name of Orlando Higginbottom, an indie electronic artist from Oxford, England. This track is taken from his album Trouble which was released by Casablanca Records in 2012. This is introvert dance music in the mold of Hot Chip, a soundtrack to a quiet night in rather than intense clubbing frenzy. Higginbottom's shy vocals describe a girl he'd like to approach but can't muster the nerve, claiming that he could be "the dog to (her) bone, or something". Switching from soft twinkling keyboards to full on breakbeats and then back again, Higginbottom keeps us guessing as to where the song will go next. This is probably the strongest track from the album Trouble, which has some uneven patches during the second half.

Neon Indian - Local Joke 9.3/10

Neon Indian is an indie electronic project by Alan Palomo from Denton, Texas. This track is taken from his album Psychic Chasms which was released by Lefse Records in 2009. This was the track which hooked me on the chillwave genre and made me realise that it could be much more than just lightweight nostalgia. The pummeling synth beats sound straight from a 1985 time warp, but the crisp production and layers of complex sampling make sure the mood is thoroughly grounded in the present. Palomo sings of a girl who doesn't care for him anymore and the inevitability of a looming breakup, intoning in the last line that 'she needs an excuse to end things and become the things you hate'. This is certainly one of my favourite songs of all time, a track that I can put on no matter what the occasion and immediately feel rejuvenated.

Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee 8.3/10

Architecture in Helsinki is an indie electronic band from Melbourne, Australia. This track is taken from their album Moment Bends which was released by Cooperative Music in 2011. This is a fun, danceable track that makes me think of late night revelry under the stars. Frontman Cameron Bird's lyrics offer little clue as to who or what the 'escapee' is escaping, though it may be from a troubled relationship. His words are chosen more for the sounds the rhymes elicit than for any coherent images they create. The strident synths and bouncy rhythm make it almost impossible not to move your body in time with the beats, so expect to find yourself putting this one on repeat. The album Moment Bends is patchy with a few great individual songs, but Escapee is the record's undisputed highlight.

Brothertiger - Back To Us 8.5/10

Brothertiger is an indie electronic project by John Jagos from Athens, Ohio. This track is taken from his EP called Point of View which was released by Collective Crowd Records in 2011. For those who enjoy sunny, poppy chillwave, look no further than the work of Brothertiger. This is a warm, relaxing track with classic synths and echoing custard cream vocals. Jagos sings of his longing to be near someone he misses; he name-drops The Police's Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, a song which seems to serve as his muse for this track. This is as syrupy as chillwave gets, feel good music ready to brighten up a rainy day.

Wise Blood - Darlin You're Sweet 8.5/10

Wise Blood is an indie electronic pop project by Chris Laufman from Pittsburgh, USA. This track is taken from his EP called These Wings which was released by Dovecote Records in 2011. This is an electro dance track done in slow motion, a chillout song for a quiet night in at home. For a bedroom lo-fi recording the production quality is high, and Laufman's layered vocals sung in a half-whisper and half-falsetto come across as fully sincere. He describes his love for his partner, and worries that he may not be everything that they need him to be, while also wondering if they are everything that he needs. The sampled backing vocals used during the bridge sound like a full church choir and add considerable volume and atmosphere. This is the standout track from the EP These Wings, and the best track so far from Wise Blood; hopefully he's working on more material that pushes the boundaries of bedroom electro pop the way Darlin You're Sweet does.

The Ruby Suns - Cranberry 7.9/10

The Ruby Suns are an experimental indie pop group from Auckland, New Zealand. This track is taken from their album Fight Softly which was released by Sub Pop Records in 2010. Lead singer Ryan McPhun may originally be from California, but this band's Kiwi credentials show in the playful touches and rhythms that suggest a summer beach party in the Bay of Islands isn't far away. The track begins with a tromping marching beat which abruptly fades out to be replaced by electro keyboard hits, then gradually builds into an all-out rumba party with wavy marine flourishes. McPhun's lyrics describe childhood fears of swimming in deep water and anxieties about the future, though the exuberant atmosphere of the track never gets weighted down by such concerns. This is a song to put on by the pool on a hot day with a chilled lemonade in hand.

Odesza - I Want You 8.9/10

Odesza is an indie electronic duo from Seattle, USA. This track is taken from their debut album Summer's Gone which was self-released in 2012. For a self-released album Summer's Gone has incredibly crisp production and sounds like a major label release. When the transfixing bassline on this track kicks in at 0:32 I feel blown away every time; this begs to be listened to through high-quality headphones to get the full effect of the bass and layers of percussion. The lyrics are essentially indecipherable, but the words aren't really important, it's all about experiencing the dense atmosphere they've created. The entire album Summer's Gone is a solid chill out collection, with tracks that will almost make you feel like dancing while lying on the sofa bobbing your head to the thick bass lines.

Alvin Band - Temple Pressure 8.9/10

Alvin Band is an experimental indie pop project by Rick Schaier who is originally from California, USA. He is also the drummer for the band Miniature Tigers. This track is taken from his album Mantis Preying which was released by Intelligent Noise Records in 2009. You've never heard anything quite like Alvin Band, take my word for it. The entire album Mantis Preying is constructed out of samples of Rick Schaier's voice and hand claps, and half the fun is trying to figure out how he made all these astonishingly diverse sounds using just his vocal cords. Temple Pressure is a good introduction to his style since it throws in a little bit of everything, but the most memorable feature is the 60's harmony style of the 'chorus' (if such a song can be said to have a chorus). Schaier sings of parental pressure pushing him to take more of an interest in his family's Jewish faith (this is what the lyrics and the title suggest at least, but knowing Schaier it could be an off-beat metaphor for anything up to and including the meaning of life). He's 'trying to read Hebrew' but he's 'too confused' and this song seems to be his way of cheekily poking fun at his own inability to take an interest in the faith. In the end though, the lyrics on the album Mantis Preying aren't what really matters, it's the amazingly creative rhythms, harmonies and percussion that he's managed to create without a single musical instrument. I'm a huge fan of the album Mantis Preying (though less fond of the follow-up album Rainbow Road), this is an album that I can play from start to finish and relish every minute of it. It's probably a little too 'weird' for the average listener (it reminds me a little of the Beta Band's self-titled album), but the sunny, upbeat atmosphere of Temple Pressure and the album are sure to put a smile on anyone's face if they're willing to give it a chance.

Geographer - Verona 8.7/10

Geographer is an indie electronic pop band based in San Francisco, USA. This track is taken from their EP called Animal Shapes which was released by Tricycle Records in 2010. Although the song Kites from the Animal Shapes EP is better known, I've always felt this was the superior track from the EP and the best song so far produced by Geographer. The genius of this track is all in the subtle touches and the timing; take for example how lead singer Michael Deni slows down his delivery of the line "You told such simple lies" at the end of the chorus (at 2:04 and again at 4:36) while the synth beats stop just long enough to let his words sink in before starting up again. The counterpoint percussion used during the verses also adds some depth to offset the trance-inducing rhythm of the synth beats. This is chillout music to put on and fall asleep to after getting home at 3am, a late-night lullaby to play on repeat.

Born Gold - Wrinklecarver 8.3/10

Born Gold is the stage name of Cecil Frena, an indie electro pop artist originally from Edmonton, Canada. This track is taken from his debut album Bodysongs released by Crash Cymbals Records in 2011(freely available on Bandcamp). Sometimes I'm astonished when a song that seems destined to be heard around the world remains almost completely unknown, and that is certainly the case with Wrinklecarver. If this had been played a few times on major radio stations Frena would be a household name by now. His former project Gobble Gobble included Claire Boucher (Grimes) and Corin Roddick and Megan James (Purity Ring), who have moved on to increasing stardom in the past year. This is a thumping, high-energy electro pop song that is just off-kilter enough to feel a bit weird, though it's the kind of strangeness that you don't need to think too hard about while dancing to it. Frena's vocals are kept front and centre throughout the hurricane of techno beats and synth washes, and he sings with intensity about... I'm not really sure what, lines like 'I don't want to feel my skin unlace its skates' sound like Canadian nonsense rhymes. Why is the track called 'Wrinklecarver'? I haven't the foggiest, but such things really don't matter once you press play and start bobbing your head to it.

Small Black - No Stranger 7.7/10

Small Black is an indie electronic band from New York City, USA. This track is taken from their album Limits of Desire released by Jagjaguwar in May 2013. Josh Kolenick's shy voice carries this track as he sings of a need for commitment and acceptance. Shimmering waves of synths, heavy reverb effects and jumpy beats speed the track along, with a huge wash of lush sound following the chorus line of "You're no stranger to me." While Small Black's updated chillwave style can grow rather predictable over the length of the full album Limits of Desire, taken on its own a track like No Stranger provides simple pleasures and a warm, blissed out sensation, which sometimes is all we really need.

Electric President - Good Morning, Hypocrite 8.4/10

Electric President is an indie electronic pop band from Florida, USA. The group's main members are Ben Cooper and Alex Kane. This track is taken from their self-titled album released by Morr Music in 2006. The track's keyboards, pianos and whooshing electronic beats sound much larger and fuller than the bedroom recording studio they were made in. The lush electronic gurgles and crisply thumping rhythm are set against Ben Cooper's hushed vocals, creating a sound which is reminiscent of The Postal Service. The call-and-response voices used in the middle section also recall the pop sensibilities of Junior Senior. Lyrically the track describes the personal alienation brought about by modern technology and lines like 'nature's haircut is concrete now, we played our part' remind me of the environmental themes of Grandaddy's album The Sophtware Slump. This track is best experienced through headphones while curled up on a sofa, gazing out the window at a busy city street.

Painted Palms - Carousel 8.2/10

Painted Palms is an indie electro pop duo from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This track is from a two-track single released in March 2013 on Polyvinyl Records. The title 'Carousel' is well chosen as this track whirls about with a piano section which sounds like a leaf being blown around in the wind. At the outset there is a feeling of quiet introspection and longing, and this slowly develops into something more lively at 1:06 with a breezy, wistful melody which reminds me of childhood and playing outdoors on an autumn Sunday. A full-length LP is expected later this year from Painted Palms, and I can only hope this is an indication of the style they will aim for with the record. This is a richer, warmer sound than on their previous album Canopy from 2011, and shows greater complexity and depth in the songwriting.