After splitting from Band of Horses last July, guitarist Mat Brooke has resurfaced less than a year later with a new band, Grand Archives, and a self-released CD-R demo. Although the band is very new and has only recorded a handful of tracks (four, to be exact), it’s very understandable why Sub Pop was quick to sign them (also, Band of Horses’ accolades couldn’t have hurt…). Grand Archives’ music is dream-pop that is never sleepy - ethereal, gorgeously crafted, and capable of crescendoing into truly powerful climaxes. It’s uncertain when their full-length will be released, but it will definitely be one to anticipate.

MP3: Grand Archives - Torn Blue Foam Couch

Hailing from our nation’s capitol, singer/songwriter (or as his MySpace page says “songer singwriter”) Paul Michel has been in several bands over the years and is currently bassist for the DC power pop outfit Georgie James. However, since 2004 he has been recording and touring extensively as a solo project. Paul’s voice is a soaring tenor wail (something akin to Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, or Cold War Kids’ Nathan Willett) and his music is best described as a blend of folk, prog, indie, and brit pop. “The Backup Plan,” from Paul’s most recent album, Quiet State of Panic, is an excellent showcase of his sincere falsetto set against electronic backbeats.

MP3: Paul Michel - The Backup Plan

If Fleetwood Mac and Phil Collins time traveled to the year 2080, whenever they returned their first song would probably sound something like Yeasayer’s “2080″. After one listen of this track, I found myself immediately hitting repeat and feeling that early fall is too long to wait for this Brooklyn band’s debut album to be released. “2080″ is filled with the kind of harmonies and sing-along moments that feel like you’re lucid dreaming of being under the stars at the best outdoor dance party. I just wish I could wake up and hear Yeasayer’s entire album - they are definitely a band to watch!

MP3: Yeasayer - 2080

Formed in 2002, The Mae Shi are an LA-based experimental pop/rock band from California. Terrorbird, their 59-minute-long debut EP, was a hyper ADD-afflicted hip-hop concept album about monsters and the Old Testament. Having already released four albums and other interesting “projects” (like a documentary and a 2004 mix tape that collected their favorite 1200 songs in under 80 minutes), The Mae Shi are getting ready to release a fifth(!) album that is certain to be crammed full of their trademark “busted electronics, spazzier-than-fuck drums, crazy-ass boogie guitar, distorted caveman bass and throat-destroying vocals”. Details about their new album are still unclear as there is no official release date or title (it may be called either 7XX7 or PWND). However, the released track “Run To Your Grave” is unbelievably catchy and makes The Mae Shi a definite band to watch.

MP3: The Mae Shi - “Run To Your Grave”