I’m not sure if there are many people in the world who think Scott Masson is a musical genius but there is at least one and you are reading him now. Not only does the Detroit based artist throw open the gates to the urban field he cultivates with colourful melodies under his Office project but he also has a side project known as Glossies. An entirely ridiculous name I know but who cares when you’ll be kissing your love under the mistletoe with ‘Glossy Xmas’ on the stereo (note the jolly holiday parts where a kissing moratorium must be observed and replaced by inane grass skirtesque swivels). Masson writes an entertaining blog at his site where he decries the loss of magic that people’s short attention spans have had on albums. He himself has decided to just focus on individual tracks from now on (ADD's up I guess) and what a glorious flotilla of ditties awaits us. KD

Glossies - Glossy Xmas

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Buy Songs: Glossies
Year: 2009

Something to cast you adrift from the inclemency all around. Yeah, we definitely need our escape routes and I find it’s hard to beat a few minutes of twee pop to lift the gloom. This one is courtesy of Michigan trio Lightning Love who last put a long player together about 2 years ago. I really like the female vocals, which somehow model the sound of Northern Europe, perhaps that was an obvious ploy but regardless it makes a whole lot of fun (and given the output from up there, entirely appropriate). The other fascinating observation has to be the percussion, which is a close relation to Asobi Seksu’s ‘Thursday’. Budget, wha, ain’t that a caged bird? KD

Lightning Love - Girls Are Always Wrong

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Buy Songs: Lightning Love
Year: 2008

As part of my daily crunch I try to clean out the tags on the countless songs that are arrive inbox inadequately labelled. On inspection this perfect little nugget from Hamfatter expressed the notion that the recording was owned by one Hamfatter Ltd. Little surprise really given that the band received a sizeable investment from Peter Jones via Dragon’s Den in 2008. The grands' that came for free barely impacted on the trio unfortunately and if anything what was recouped from the business world was quickly eroded by its sneering musical equivalent. Shame really because Hamfatter are a decent act as evidenced by ‘The Girl I Love’ (written post Jones injection it must be said), something that would be equally as comfortable on a 9am as a 9pm playlist. Perhaps the lads could borrow a phrase from another similar BBC programme and show Mr. Jones the door. There should really be no limits in their world. KD

Hamfatter - The Girl I Love

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Buy Songs: Hamfatter
Year: 2008

If any sound could capture the mood of my head of a Sunday evening it would be this one. It comes from a French duo who have turned the act of being an artist into an artform (they write, record, print a handful of copies, go to ground). Mehdi Ameziane and Solange Gularte call them themselves Natural Snow Buildings, an entirely appropriate moniker it must be said, and turn out LP’s like confetti. For the most part they are deep affairs, this is a band that are not noted for choosing the easy option. So while ‘All Animals In The Form Of Water’ could indeed pass for a piece of ornamental soundtrack it could also double up as a thought provoking mood piece for those in dread of the weekly mundanity. KD

Natural Snow Buildings - All Animals In The Form Of Water

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Buy Songs: Natural Snow Buildings
Year: 2006

It’s been bitter in Dublin for the last 48 days and for once it has nothing to do with the harsh economic climate or our biggest export. The degrees have really nosedived and last night we had the pleasure of trying to sleep through endless thunder/lightning/hail, not exactly the soft fluffy snow we prefer at this time of year but if landscapes in blanket white are your thing then you should swing by. So in an attempt to defrost blue fingertips I decided to take a trip back to Candy Claws last album but one (the snow reference). Note the warm fuzzy feeling inside your pit once it works its magic, before too long those watery melodies will render you akin to that kid all aglow in the readybrek ads from yesteryear. What a special gift they truly have. KD

Candy Claws - Snowflake Eel Wish

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Buy Songs: Candy Claws
Year: 2009

Things could get a whole lot mushier around here over the next few weeks as hugger goes all sentimental and douses himself in liquid tinsel to celebrate our favourite time of the year. A couple of years ago we successfully executed a Christmas post every December day up to the 25th and while we probably won’t reach such lofty heights this year you can expect a veritable compendium of festive sounds between now and the big day. And that’s even before we start jabbering about this years Indiecater Christmas compilation which will have about a dozen or so brand new original sonic puddings. To kick off the season here is a soft and gentle ditty from Munich’s Mexican Elvis. It’s to their credit that all of their pronouncements are in their native tongue but unfortunately it means we have to rely on our imagination to fill you in. So in an bout of Friday evening laziness we’ll sum up by saying that Mexican Elvis are really well worth checking out further (try ‘The Washington D.C.’ first, it’s ace). KD

Mexican Elvis - National Holiday

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Buy Songs: Mexican Elvis
Year: 2008

I listen to a lot of music, tons of it in fact and it's not confined to what presents itself via headphones. I could be watching an advert for blueberry juice and the interesting background sound will have me hurtling towards search engines to see who the song is by. But, for all the music I have listened to over the last few years I have never knowingly (as in later found out it was by them) heard a song by Kanye West, Jay-Z or 50 cent. Granted I don't listen to the radio that often but even when I do I can't recall a single occasion where the mid-Atlantic twang announces that the song just played was from one of the trio. Kanye appears to have a huge profile, he's everywhere, mentioned in dispatches far and wide and yet I know everything there is to know about his teeth and nothing whatsoever about his voice. Now I'm not saying that I couldn't find the goods on youtube yet there's no need to do that for Lady Gaga and I could whistle all her big hits. What is it about rappers, are they part of the biggest secret club in the world or do I have a congenital condition that blocks out music where the artist employs a shimmying pitter patter rather than the traditional vocal harmony? KD

The Streets - Empty Cans

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Buy Songs: The Streets
Year: 2004

As music CV’s go he’s got one that is hard to top. Jim Fairchild was an integral part of Grandaddy, plays guitar with Modest Mouse and produced albums for, amongst others, hugger faves Dappled Cities. He also makes music for his own project All Smiles, titled as you’ll soon discover with a sense of knowing (much like his name really). He is currently running a kickstarter campaign to record a third LP so while you ponder a pledge let this tune win you over. Crucially for those of short attention spans the core of melody appears somewhat late on ‘All You Are Is A Human Sir’ bit it’s definitely worth the wait. Proving yet again that everything beautiful is far away. KD

All Smiles - All You Are Is A Human Sir

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Buy Songs: All Smiles
Year: 2009

Given his way with a tune it is a bit of a mystery why Derry man Conor Mason has so far eluded widespread attention in Ireland. His wistful Matthew Jayesque compositions peppered last year’s ‘When It’s Over’ and in many ways it made complete sense when he was asked to support Brendan Benson a few months back (the Benson of ‘Lapalco’ fame anyway). ‘Luck’ is the shy creature that lives in your garden, which you’d love as a pet but know it probably would never work out. It shimmy’s and slides gracefully and in the process highlights Mason’s soft vocal brogue. Everyone say awwwwhhhh. KD

Conor Mason - Luck

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Buy Songs: Conor Mason
Year: 2009

There’s no doubting Leeds' Insect Guide harbour desires for past decades and given the dearth of contemporary movements who could blame them. The fact that they include the drummer from the Pale Saints helps to bridge the gap of course yet there is so much more to ‘Bats’ that is admirable. For one Su Sutton’s vocals are an able match for the densely fuzzed out chords and the impression is that of a Jesus & Mary Chain tune were Hope Sandoval given vocal domination. This should appeal to fans of Sweet Jane, an Irish act that convey a similiar post shoegaze sound. 'Dark Days & Nights', Insect Guide's second album, is out now on the Ian Brown franchised Squirrel Records. KD

Insect Guide - Bats

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Buy Songs:
Insect Guide
Year: 2010

So the house of cards that was Ireland fiscal well-being has finally come crashing down. God knows what awaits us now that the vultures are circling. Perhaps we’ll again become the people that was loved the world over, happy with our lot and not trampling our neighbours to fill our boots with the loot. In the end it will take a malevolent force to bail us out and the repercussions will ripple through Irish society for a decade at least. Thank the lord then that the news came now and not in January as we’ve got the festive season to shield us from the real world. And to kick start the party here is a delightful piece of hokum from Santa Cruz artist Carolyn Sills called ‘George Bailey’. In fact it is so note perfect in its retro stylings were Spector not incarcerated I’m sure he could have had a ready-made star for a reworked ‘A Gift For You’. Mostly is a wonderful life. KD

Carolyn Sills - George Bailey

Watch The Video

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Buy Songs: Carolyn Sills
Year: 2007

If you were to throw the couple thousand songs that have appeared on this blog since 2005 into a blender the unholy and glorious mess might not be too unlike ‘Open Season’ by New York band High Highs. The duo Jack Milas and Oli Chang pursue a sound that ticks all our critical boxes and have just sent our salivating glands into overdrive with the news that they are prepping their debut album at the moment. Not that ‘Open Season’ is particularly revolutionary, just ridiculously cute in a murky production/honeyed melody kind of way. KD

High Highs - Open Season

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Buy Songs: High Highs
Year: 2010

Despite initially sounding all the world like a geriatric ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ Deerhunter’s ‘Desire Lines’ does an about turn to instead fall into the arms of Sonic Youth. And for all that the band I most associate with them is Pavement for they are, within the space of a couple of songs, capable of writing the prettiest song flush with vivid melody and one you’d likely bring to the toilet in an effort to shift the cramps. It is very frustrating and all too apparent on their generally wonderful current album ‘Halcyon Digest’. This is perhaps my fave (along with ‘Memory Boy’) for it beats like all great indie anthems should with bulbous guitar lines and swaggering vocals. Deerhunter are as good as 2010 gets, if they could just paper over their idiosyncratic tendencies then we’d be talking all time. KD

Deerhunter - Desire Lines

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Buy Songs: Deerhunter
Year: 2010

Given the number of girls with guitars doing something similar to what Natalie Prass does isn’t it just dandy to discover how much better she is than most of them. The Nashville girl was an unknown quantity to us up to recently but with introductions quickly dispensed with we decided to capitalise on the moment. So much so that she is apperaing on our upcoming Christmas compilation, after which she’ll likely get picked up by the best label in the world bar none. The Christmas song is pretty special, just like the track below from her recently released ‘Small & Sweet’ EP. The magic occurs as vocals seamlessly engage with the music resulting in endless pretty patterns. The sweetest thing. KD

Natalie Prass - Deer

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Buy Songs: Natalie Prass
Year: 2010

To call them the US Kasabian could be to damn the Constellations with faint praise but then I’m sure they’d put up with that in exchange for some of the former’s gazillion sales. It hard not to get suckered into their vibrant all encompassing sound, a perfect example of which you can find below. ‘Setback’ is a rhino charge of a single from the Atlanta acts’ debut album ‘Southern Gothic’. Words like big, bold and mountable (rhino theme poorly sequelled) spring to mind, I mean I feel about 10 times cooler even listening to it. Who’d have thought that an old man could still come approach something approximating hip (no operation jokes now). If only it was warmer outside I could roll down the panes and get down with the coolers with this on the boombox. KD

The Constellations - Setback

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Buy Songs: The Constellations
Year: 2010

We’ve dabbled with Four Tet a couple of times before because Hebden is capable of greatness. Unfortunately it’s what happens between the greatness that bothers us enough to not laud him for the genius he may well be. This years ‘There Is Love In You’ is perhaps the one LP that we’ve toyed with the most but inevitably it was thrown out of the pram before too long. The only difference this time though was that it left enough of a mark to ensure return visits. These have seen us fall head over for the closing trio of tracks (including the untitled hidden track) with ‘Plastic People’ (the name of the club in London where Kieran DJ's) particularly arousing our inner dancing gombeen. I don’t take illicit drugs but if I did this would be playing in the background. Maybe there's love in me after all. KD

Four Tet - Plastic People

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Buy Songs:
Four Tet
Year: 2010

Apart from every evening at bedtime I can’t imagine a better time of the year for ‘Sing Me To Sleep (Indie Lullabies)’, an utterly charming release from American Laundromat Recordings. The label chose some of indie’s leading lights and asked them to record a tune in the form of a lullaby (with all proceeds going to the Valerie Fund for sick children). Some of the bands went for reworks on traditional standards, while others went for indie/elsewhere classics. The results are uniformly brilliant and little hugger seems set up for several years (what will Daddy do?) worth of journeys to nod nod land. Experimenting with the 21 tracks it seemed that the Leisure Society’s ‘Inchworm’ (Hans Christian Anderson) had the most soothing effect, by the time it had raised the tempo our little feast of cuddles had already been transported to the jelly sea. KD

The Leisure Society - Inchworm

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Buy Songs: Sing Me To Sleep
Year: 2010

Much like Eno, Arketek are unlikely to appeal to anyone under 25. Something to look forward to then once that landmark is reached as the Galway electronic act have a soft dynamism that makes for perfect coffee-table-free lounge music. The driving force is one Biggley who used to be part of Halfset (Dot Creek also) and has a back-story dowsed in tragedy that gives the already affecting electro compositions genuine sadness. ‘Tiny Screws For Tiny Hinges’ is simple yet utterly haunting, the title sets the scene and your sensory drift should supply the tarmac for a trip like no other. Arketek’s debut album can be downloaded for free from his website, just perfect for a Sunday afternoon. KD

Arketek - Tiny Screws For Tiny Hinges

More Info: Official
Free Songs: Arketek
Year: 2008

This is indeed a dirty squall and against most people’s better judgement it doesn’t actually originate from deepest L.A. circa the Smell. Who’d have given Dublin a chance at producing something this experimentally lo-fi for your hi-fi (ok maybe Bobby from Dublin Duck Dispensary also fits the bill) yet Andy (from no surname land) of I ♥ The Monster Hero has not only achieved the feat but also pointed two well aimed fingers at the parts of the internet that can’t deal with characters shaped like a heart. Makes for day long searches but who cares when the ‘Loveheart’ EP is blazing a trail inside ones head. The EP is not all glorious loud noise either, there is a little gem called ‘Little Gem’ that reveals this monster hero has a soft kong inside. ‘Fuckfuck Yourself’ is the cream though because it exhibits extreme korg tendencies and such behaviour leaves us with no option but to roll out the failte doormat. KD

I ♥ The Monster Hero - Fuckfuck Yourself

More Info: Official
Buy Songs: I ♥ The Monster Hero
Year: 2009

Not the phrase.
Not the movie.
Not the website.
Not the flick.
Just the band.

That's The Spirit - Always Coming Back