Coconut Records is the LA based indie pop musical solo project by Jason Schwartzman. The debut album, Nighttiming, was released in 2007 on Schwartzman’s Young Baby Records. Since it’s release Schwartzman has managed to only climb in his career and talent level.

Australia’s own Electro House Duo “Bag Raiders” produced this gem of a music video featuring a chimpanzee, a beautiful protagonist and rowdy parties. It’s hard not to smile while watching this video and Bag Raiders deliver a fun, poppy, summer sound.

Named by NPR as one of the “best bands in 2011” and one of the “top bands to look out for in 2012” by MTV, Alabama Shakes is quickly climbing their way to the top of the music scene. Their debut album Boys & Girls is anything but a disappointment. To put it in so many words, the band has some serious soul.

When I was a kid the most recording equipment I had was a Yak Bak…remember those? As I reached high school age I dabbled in music production, but this is ridiculous!

I’m a huge fan of alternative rock music, and here is my latest favorite by Imagine Dragons.

2011 marked a monumental infant year for Alberta-based duo Purity Ring. The pair effortlessly gathered accolades, including a spot on Sterogum’s Top 10 New Acts of 2011 list, a #38 listing on Pitchfork’s Top 100 Songs of 2011 (that put them ahead of Adele, Bon Iver, Drake, Rihanna, Washed Out and others) , and shimmering coverage from The Guardian. The catch, they did all this without releasing an album.

The line up of Diplo’s collaboration project, Major Lazer, has suffered some shakeups recently. But, in the two years since its inception, one thing’s stayed constant: surprise. The group’s latest release, “Guns Don’t Kill People, Lazers Do” is no exception.

I’m digging the newest Ting Tings album. One song that stands out is, “Hit Me Down Sonny.” But it’s not just the music that makes this album a keeper, it’s the art contest that was part of the process.

It reminds me a bit of Kids in America from the immortal clueless soundtrack.

LA-based alternative rock quarter The Like shocked fans when they announced plans to go on an indefinite hiatus last July. The girls, Elizabeth “Z” Berg, Tennessee Thomas, Laena Geronimo and Annie Monroe seemed to have just hit their stride, with a signature 60’s girlpop style reminiscent of The Shangri-Las. Regardless, this single from their last album is sure to be a cult classic.