BPitch Control

Moderat are a German electronic supergroup comprised of the members of Modeselektor and Apparat. After working on an EP together more than 5 years ago, both acts went their separate ways and came to fame on their own: Apparat, most notably, for his collaboration with compatriot Ellen Allien and Modeselektor for 2007’s worldwide crossover Happy Birthday. The two acts ran into each other on the way to a public swimming pool in Berlin and had an argument about whose most recent album was better, and how each could have benefited from the other’s involvement. So, it only made sense to resurrect their long-lost project to prove the point. In that respect, Moderat (BPitch Control) is a successful exercise in synergy, and thrives on the explorations its members are willing to take together, from dubstep to atmospheric IDM, alternating between instrumental and vocal-driven tracks. The most memorable of these experiments, “Rusty Nails”, showcases Apparat’s Sascha Ring on vocals, and feels like what would happen if the Notwist let Burial make its beats. In case there was any doubt, Berlin is in the house.

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Frenchkiss Records

It’s been a quick musical maturation process for 21-year-old Michael Angelakos. Within a year, Passion Pit’s front man and primary songwriter has gone from essentially a one man band to part of a collaborative quintet, from blogosphere EP craze to one of the most anticipated debuts of 2009 – and rightfully so. The premise from last year’s Chunk of Change has evolved into an exuberant and charismatic sound, marked by Angelakos’ already-trademark falsettos, doubled vocals, and adventurous effects. Manners (Frenchkiss Records) draws from a broad palette of electronic and rock sounds sometimes similar to MGMT, but more concerned with ecstatic hooks than a psychedelic trip. The album’s strengths come from dance floor bounce and attention to detail, like the funky keyboards and a children’s choir on “Little Secrets”, baritone horns on “To Kingdom Come”, a sped-up vocal sample ala Kanye on “Sleepyhead”, and looped dulcimers on the more subdued “Moth’s Wings” (stream below). Precocious? Maybe, but then again maybe you’re just jealous.

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Astralwerks

The title track from Empire of the Sun’s debut is already being hailed as one of this year’s best songs, a seemingly lost, yacht-rock gem that leaves you wanting more when its chorus fades after just three minutes. It’s the zenith of a breezy sound this Aussie duo, comprised of Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele and P’nau’s Nick Littlemore, render through simpatico keys and drum machines. While occasionally lacking in sonic cohesion, the album easily makes up for it with memorable, bouncy songs. Don’t let the “Neverending Story in Space” album cover convince you this is a nerd-only affair. What’s inside is well worth a listen.
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Jagjaguwar

I always marvel at the endless derivations of a voice paired with acoustic guitar; Bon Iver (AKA Justin Vernon) is the latest to embrace and advance that basement tape sound. French for “Good Winter” (and intentionally misspelled), there couldn’t be a more apropos name to sum up this debut, supposedly recorded in a remote Wisconsin cabin during that season. It curls up in the sometimes difficult and sometimes comforting moments of solitude. There are two surprises here: the arrangements and the vocals – a soulful drawl that comes off like a chilled-out Kyp Malone, with accurate pitch but more importantly unrestrained emotion.

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