The Useless Critic 2.0

Still Corners released the beautiful "Slow Air" last year, and then underwent an extensive touring regimen (they even played Phoenix at the Rebel Lounge, a show I sadly missed). While they work on recording their much-anticipated new album (yay), check out their cover of Richard and Linda Thompson's "The Calvary Cross" as well as a new rendition of "Black Lagoon."  Cannot WAIT for that new album. Still Corners are one of my favorite musical discoveries of the past several years.

Does anyone do harmonies quite as well as British alt-pop duo Oh Wonder? I am a sucker for harmonies, and with Grizzly Bear out of commission, I have to find my fix elsewhere. Enter Oh Wonder, who are readying to release their new album, "No One Else Can Wear Your Crown" (which will be out this February). Josephine Vander Gucht dedicated this song to all her "cheating ex-boyfriends," and there's a stripped-down quality to it that is not quite present in some of their most recent singles. But it still manages to exude a quiet joy, which is typical of Oh Wonder's work. Check out tour dates for Europe and the United States below (no Phoenix, sad to report). “WEAR YOUR CROWN” WORLDWIDE TOUR DATES: March 3 – SWG3 (Galvanisers) – Glasgow March 4 – Albert Hall –Manchester March 6 – Academy –Bristol March 7 – O2 Institute – Birmingham March 9 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire – London March 11 – Ancienne Belgique – Brussels March 12 – Alhambra – Paris Ma

If you live in Phoenix and haven't listened to Paper Foxes or caught a show by them, then what is wrong with you? This talented new-wave/synthpop band released their debut album,"Popular Confessions," this past fall, and damn. With vocals that are vaguely reminiscent of Brian Molko from Placebo and clear influences from the world of New Order, they are a band to keep an eye on. Plus they do so many live shows in the Valley, you're bound to bump into them at some point.  It's a good time to live in Phoenix if you like music. I would strongly suggest listening to Panic Baby as well. 

Looking for some chill music for a weird Monday night? That retrograde is (thankfully) almost over on Wednesday. Forever ago, I edited content for a marketing agency, and we had a psychic service as a client. I'd read all their articles about retrogrades and ish. It never struck me as true until I signed a lease during a retrograde, and you know, the rest went to hell. And every Mercury retrograde since then ... something weird has happened.  Lanterns on the Lake is VERY chill - an atmospheric but groovy band. It kind of reminds me if Sigur Ros, Cocteau Twins, and Aimee Mann all got together. This is what would come out of that.  Their new album, "Spook the Herd," is available this coming February.