Download Now: Beach Fossils' What a Pleasure EP

So, I've got to apologize--I've been sitting on this record for way, way too long. Beach Fossils' latest effort is an EP of eight easygoing, Top-Sider tunes and man, is it good.

While "Cayler" and the title-track are obvious standouts, the EP is varied (and brief) enough to warrant repeat front-to-back listens. Especially in warm weather. Preferably on a boat. With a cooler of cold friends.

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Beach Fossils - What a Pleasure EP

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Beach Fossils - Calyer
Beach Fossils - What a Pleasure

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Beirut's "East Harlem" Single Is So, So Much Win

You've got to hand it to Beirut, after keeping a low profile for two years, Zach Condon and co. up and drop a new single and the interwebs are ablaze.

For good reason though, "East Harlem" is the kind of rustic folk the band's always done best--the faded Polaroid colours of times past, the kind that make you wanna share beers with an old friend or waltz with an old flame. Fingers crossed the new song means a new album. The band has announced a new album, The Rip Tide, and it's due out August 30th.

UPDATE: The single's B-side has been released and "Goshen" is one of the most soft-spoken, gorgeous tracks Beirut's done thus far. You can download it below.

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Beirut - East Harlem

Beirut - Goshen

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Download Now: Arches' Chill Concept Album

I'm not sure how strong your concept is when you've got to outline it for your audience, but I'm digging the dripping-reverb tracks on Arches' Wide Awake LP.

"This is a concept album about a character who lives alone in a city. Mundane routines drive the character to flee the city and become a drifter. The character’s perspective of reality becomes convoluted with memories and current travels to the point where the character becomes unable to decipher past and present experiences," wrote the Philly duo on their Bandcamp page.

I haven't had enough listens to judge how well each song strings that theme together, but "Headlights" is a hazy standout and the rest is just as good.

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Arches - Wide Awake

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Arches - Headlights

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Fleet Foxes Debut Helplessness Blues - Yep, Still Great

Folkies rejoice, Fleet Foxes have returned. "Helplessness Blues" is the first taste of the band's eagerly anticipated sophomore record, aptly titled Helplessness Blues.

I press play, close my eyes, and instantly picture July. I'm back home for the summer, driving the wooded, winding roads from Harbor Springs to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. I can smell the birch trees. I can feel the sunlight on my skin.

Keep and eye out for this one, the beards and baroque harmonies are officially back on May 3rd when the album drops via Subpop.

Yeah I'm tongue tied and dizzy / And I can't keep it to myself / What good is it to sing helplessness blues? / Why should I wait for anyone else?

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Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

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