Cool Hunting

Beck - Guerolito : The Remix Album
Due for release December 13, Beck's Guerolito is a unique and at times ballsy little brother to the critically-acclaimed, chart-topping album Guero. Beck personally chose 13 very diverse artists to re-interpret Guero, his eighth and most successful album to date, one that many people consider to be a return to the style of his breakout classic Odelay. Worth remembering, both Odelay and Guero utilized...

The Cloud Room
With a breakout summer single – Hey Now Now – The Cloud Room is the latest indie band from the Brooklyn art rock scene to capture my attention. With a sound that nods toward Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie and Joy Division, the Cloud Room may get lumped into the new wave of new wave bands but their music has more edge, more heart and possibly...

Phoenix Rising
It’s funny when people who like music, but aren’t necessarily totally into music, inform me about a new band. Such was the case last week when Josh, the editor of this website, wrote to ask if I have ever heard of this group called Phoenix. I emailed him back with some sort of smart-ass response that went something like, “Have I ever heard of...

The Kiss Off
Though they formed last year in Brooklyn, The Kiss Off could easily pass as Manchester natives from the early '80s. The band was founded by guitarist Adam De Rosa and bassist Nathan Lithgow, who lay distorted melodies over catchy drumming and synth drones. Sam Tyndall's vocals complete the band, which sounds something like a better-produced Joy Division or a more brooding Franz Ferdinand. The...

Lauren Molina
If you're looking for a little sunshine to brighten up a cold winter day, check out the delightful debut album from indie pop singer-songwriter, Lauren Molina. An accomplished Broadway actress currently playing the role of Johanna in the national tour of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd," Molina is a veritable one-woman orchestra, whose innovative arrangements for Doo-Be-Doo have her playing cello, ukulele, guitar, accordion, Wurlizter...

The Journal of Popular Noise
In the age of digital everything, we're all a little nostalgic for something tangible to hold and experience here in "first life." Recognizing this, The Journal of Popular Noise is a new limited-edition publication "inspired by the traditions of pop music, printed periodicals, and the delight of a finely crafted artifact."Each volume features three issues in the form of three 7"s, each by a...