Perhaps we should just leave it to Austin’s Harlem to describe their own sound, as they so aptly summed it up way back in the summer of ‘08: “When kids are jumping on the bed playing tennis rackets like guitars. We are the music that is playing in their brains.” These dudes bust super infectious, instantly endearing throwback garage-pop in the vein of the Black Lips, Strange Boys, and other assorted In the Red bands, but with what can only be described as a more ramshackle and inebriated swagger. Their debut full-length, Free Drugs;-), was one our very favorite joints of last year, so we were understandably stoked to hear that the trio signed on with Matador this past summer for a “worldwide, multi-record deal.” 

Chicago’s Smith Westerns, the “S-Dubz,” as they are affectionately referred to by some (maybe), are four teenagers that make soulful, seemingly ramshackle classic-sounding garage rock that is not entirely unlike the aforementioned Texans, if just a bit more glam. The kids in the Chi are already way into the boys’ self-titled debut full-length — out now on vinyl on Hozac (featuring a wholly co-opted famous Nirvana album cover) — and we’re fairly sure the rest of the world will follow suit. Their collection of Marc Bolan-informed jams immediately earned a spot alongside White Denim’s Fits as not only our favorite album of the summer, but one of the most refreshing releases of 2k9. 

Warm Heart of Africa is the debut full-length from Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit, aka The Very Best. The group makes sprawling, entirely uplifting dance music that expounds on the progressive African world beat explorations which took the world by storm on last year’s outstanding and highly acclaimed The Very Best mixtape. Warm Heart of Africa features guest spots from superstars M.I.A. and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, a fact that only affirms these relative unknowns’ status among a handful of indie music’s most recent successes. Come December, we fully expect this one to hold it down as one of the best albums of the year. 

VEGA is the unapologetically romantic “dreamwave” project of our fellow Texan Alan Palomo. VEGA’s work sits well out in front of the rest of the electro-blogosphere pack, thanks in no small part to his retro-futuristic production choices and dreamy Rundgren-esque vocals. As witnessed on Web 2.0 classics like “All Too Vivid” and “No Reasons,” and the fantastic Well Known Pleasures EP, VEGA’s songs are endearingly cinematic, and perfect for making out at the drive-in or stumbling up to your casa holding hands in the early morning hours. In addition to the EP, look for VEGA’s remix of “Ready, Able” on the upcoming single from our pals Grizzly Bear, as well as as a full-length from his equally entrancing new project, Neon Indian.