Cool Hunting

For your listening pleasure this Memorial day, we put our diverse tastes together to create the very first Cool Hunting Muxtape. It's a bit eclectic and we think you'll find something you like. Even better, have a listen and you could win some free music and a hat. Just follow the contact link at the bottom of the page, select "Muxtape Giveaway" from the pull-down menu and tell us your favorite song and why by Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 11:59pm EST. Three winners will be selected at random, two of which will be sent the new self-titled Santogold debut album and the other (courtesy of The Fader) will win a No Age fitted New-Era hat.

No Age: Ripped Knees
As much as we love all the multi-hyphenate bands (see Crystal Castles, below) out there these days, sometimes it's refreshing to have a band that's a little more traditional. No Age is that, with just enough experimentation to keep it interesting and enough loose cymbals to make you feel like you're watching the band in August in a sweaty Brooklyn backyard. The whole album makes a great summer soundtrack, but I like the exuberance of "Ripped Knees" and the way it dissolves into fuzzed-out distorted chords. Pick up the album from Amazon or iTunes.
-Ami Kealoha

Johnny Osbourne: Love Makes the World Go Round
Summer just isn't summer without a little dub and we've been listening to it daily here in the office. One of my favorite tracks this season has to be the Johnny Osbourne, "Loves Makes The World Go Round" from the Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988. The whole album is great, so purchase it from Amazon or download it from iTunes.
-Tim Yu

Santogold: Shove It
One of the most anticipated releases of the year, Santogold doesn't disappoint. We love the booty bass sound and Santogold's versatility surprises—the attributes makes for a diverse set of songs. Purchase the self-titled debut at Amazon or download it on iTunes.-TY

Titus Andronicus: Titus Andronicus
Named after Shakespeare's lesser known tragedy, Titus Andronicus, bring a much needed injection of Jersey indie angst. The Strummer/McGowan howls crossed with a power anthem arrangement ignites a raw energy and rebellion that has us chanting along. Purchase their new album, The Airing of Grievances, at InSound or at iTunes.
-Mike Frank

The Notwist: Good Lies
The Notwist reinvented themselves on 2002's Neon Golden, and went from abrasive metal to subdued electronica. Six years later, The Devil, You Me combines dark melodies with Markus Acher's somber vocals. "Good Lies" is the first single and leading track off the album which, for law-abiding music fans, will be available in the U.S. next month.
-Doug Black

Crystal Castles: Vanished
Serving up electro-Nintendo-thrash, the Toronto-based duo invites you to their basement party with "Vanished." A take on Van She's "Sex City," the track highlights why they're in rotation at some clubs. Purchase Crystal Castles self-titled album at Amazon or download at iTunes.
-MF

SSLYBY: Think I Wanna Die
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin make an ugly acronym, but very catchy pop rock songs. The Missouri-based quartet recently released Pershing which tempers its sunny melodies with enough off-kilter noodling to make it palpable. Purchase at Polyvinyl Records.
-DB

Ponytail: Celebrate The Body Electric (It Came From An Angel)
Baltimore is running game right now. Sounding like a arm-wrestling contest between Dan Deacon, Cap N Jazz and Public Image ltd., Ponytail play noisy, ecstatic pop that is also totally weird. Strangely produced by J. Robbins. Purchase the single at iTunes.
-Josh Teixeira

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): Our Love Has Made Us Pariahs
Recalling the mid-'90s midwestern melancholy of bands like Very Secretary, Mineral and American Football, empire! empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) are bringing back a sound once thought long lost with fresh urgency and immediacy. Purchase their latest single, "Year of the Rabbit" on iTunes.
-JT

Fleet Foxes: English House
With warm harmonies and arrangements, the Fleet Foxes are the latest great band to come out of Seattle. Produced by Phil Eck (Built to Spill, The Shins, Band of Horses) the Fleet Foxes craft a type of harmonic pop influenced by the likes of Crosby Still Nash & Young and the Beach Boys. As our friends at Pitchfork put it, the Fleet Foxes' "carefully fashioned songs reward more active listening than your typical indie-roots outfit." Purchase a copy of their 3 June 2008 release, a self-titled debut available at Sub Pop or download their recent EP, Sun Giant on iTunes.
-TY