Lobby, courtesy. If you’ve never heard of Lobby, you’re not alone—the Toronto band is new. But this song was produced by Leon Taheny, a more recognizable name. He’s worked with Austra and Owen Pallett. Anyway, the guitar parts of this song are what have me hooked. Reminiscent  of early ’90s…

“Waster” by WIN WIN. This new song by WIN WIN harkens back to, oh, 2003 or so, when Franz Ferdinand was a household name, The Bravery was on every other station on the radio dial, and a new resurgence in alt-rock and Brit-pop were in full swing. “Waster” is…

“Gold Dust” by Galantis. Do you love St. Lucia? Are you staring out the metaphorical window onto the Internet, awaiting the next M83 album? While you wait, here’s another track you’re sure to love. Galantis is a Swedish electropop duo that includes Christian Karlsson of Miike Snow and Linus Eklow, who…

Lost Boy ?, courtesy. The vocals here make this song great. Sung by guest vocalist Luke Chiaruttini, of New York band Bueno, a grittiness is brought in that raises the tune above and beyond a ’70s garage anthem. Lost Boy ? is, in name, a solo project of Davey Jones.…

San Francisco native Mikal Cronin has announced release plans for his new album, “MCIII,” and has shared a terrific, radio-friendly track that is sure to elevate his name in other parts of true country. According to the label, Merge Records, Cronin played nearly all of the instruments on the…

Alex Winston, courtesy. Alex Winston is a singer who I’m surprised hasn’t already made a bigger splash in the indie music world. Sure, she made some waves with “Sister Wife” and “Velvet Elvis,” but once those died down, I haven’t heard any chatter about how her next album is…

Alison Mosshart on “The Walking Dead” soundtrack, courtesy. It’s two of everybody’s favorites: “The Walking Dead” and Alison Mosshart. The end result is one terrific soundtrack song. Mosshart and Arjes, a Nashville singer-songwriter and producer, have concocted one of those scenes you can already picture from the show. You…

WATERS performs at BottleRock 2016 in Napa, California. Jon Ching/STAFF. This is a song Van Pierszalowski and co. have been playing for a while, but if you’re not from the Bay Area, or perhaps Los Angeles, you likely haven’t heard it yet. This is another tune that Grouplove fans are…

The Stone Foxes perform at the Front Porch Music Festival at Wente Family Vineyards in Livermore on Aug. 31, 2013. Roman Gokhman/STAFF. You have roughly 2.3 seconds to gather all of the energy in this car chase of a song by The Stone Foxes. That’s not enough time for…

Only Real, courtesy. That first surf riff seals the deal for me; I’m completely sold on the entire song from that point on. I’ve had the song on repeat for a week. Only Real is from London, and that’s pretty much all I know. That typically wouldn’t be enough…