Au Revoir Simone

Au Revoir Simone's new album Still Night, Still Light is sumptuous keyboard pop, with each member of the trio singing in perfect harmony over minimalist beats; Spin calls these songs "synth-pop secrets fit to be whispered at the moon." And here's a little surprise: if you buy the new album, you'll get three of their previous releases for free! One click and you'll have a wealth of music from this awesome Brooklyn trio.

For fans of: The Postal Service + Camera Obscura + Lali Puna

Passion Pit

On this much-anticipated debut, the eternally-falsettoed Michael Angelakos and his band of synth-minstrels play like they're trying to save the world. The Chunk of Change EP was only a hint at their pop greatness, with "Sleepyhead" blowing many a blogger's mind; here that track is buried among some of the most joyous and rich dance music in ages. Scoring it 92/100, Paste Magazine says "what we need in these weary times -- and what Passion Pit brings -- is exuberance."

For fans of: MGMT + Friendly Fires + Hot Chip

Headless Heroes

Nevada City folk singer Alela Diane -- formidable and entrancing on her own -- has returned with a fantastic backing band to form Headless Heroes. Their combined sound is sublime, and you get the added pleasure of hearing them cover songs by the Jesus and Mary Chain, Nick Cave, Vashti Bunyan, and Daniel Johnston. As a cherry on top, 25% of sales will go to Housing Works, a New York City not-for-profit committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness.

For fans of: Alela Diane + Devendra Banhart + The Velvet Underground

Various Artists

Maria Taylor, Jenny Owen Youngs, Miranda Lee Richards, Hanne Hukkelberg, and many more appear on this exclusive Amie Street compilation from Nettwerk Records. 25% of all sales will be donated to Global Green, a not-for-profit organization focused on stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities. Download the album for only $4, with a complimentary download of Lay Low's "By And By"!

For fans of: Regina Spektor + Cat Power + Edie Brickell

Jeffrey Lewis

Underground comic book artist Jeffrey Lewis is one of the original musicians from New York's Sidewalk Cafe anti-folk scene in the 1990s (along with The Moldy Peaches and Beck). His new album 'Em Are I veers from full band barn-stompers to idiosyncratic acoustic numbers, with all the odd wit you'd expect from a comic artist. Drowned in Sound says "his neuroses are so startlingly lucid and hyperactive that it's easy to caricature him as a kind of blend of Woody Guthrie and Woody Allen."

For fans of: The Mountain Goats + The Moldy Peaches + Robyn Hitchcock

Federico Aubele

The sound of late-night tango bars and Cuban boleros is alive on Federico Aubele's latest, Amatoria. This young Argentinian singer blends downtempo, dub, and acoustic Latin influences to make coy, sensual music that got him signed to Thievery Corporation's label. Guest vocalists on this album include Natalia Clavier, Brazilian Girls' Sabina Sciubba, and Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori.

For fans of: Thievery Corporation + Bebel Gilberto + Gotan Project

Deerhunter

If anyone could pull off a genre like that, it's Bradford Cox and Deerhunter. The title track off the Atlanta band's new EP is part luau, part sludgy drug-pop, and a big part Alice in Wonderland. Deerhunter have always made weird music, but since last year's Microcastle they've taken a welcome turn towards the accessible. This EP could easily turn you into a fan.

For fans of: Animal Collective + Liars + No Age

Illinois

"We're Illinois... from Pennsylvania." Lead singer Chris Archibald introduced his band with a laugh, and then launched into rousing, soul-soaked rock that got people clapping and howling along at New York's Mercury Lounge. The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe collects six EPs that the band has released since last November, twenty tracks that shuffle and bump with a lot of feel good.

For fans of: The Heavy + These United States + Delta Spirit

Fred

Fred is a five-piece alternative rock band from Cork, Ireland who tackle a ton of styles on their third album, Go God Go. From stadium-filling rock anthems to drunken pub romps, and even the cowbell-assisted disco single "Skyscrapers," the band does it all with ease. Catch them live if you can: The New York Post called them the best band at last fall's CMJ Music Marathon.

For fans of: Scissor Sisters + U2 + Kasabian

Drive A

Edna, the young'uns are playing that punk music again! Sixteen-year-old Bruno Mascolo and his band Drive A have enough rock swagger to hold their own on the Warped Tour and Alternative Press Tour (alongside some of their idols like Rise Against and Pennywise), even attracting Guns 'N Roses producer Matt Sorum for their debut album. The website Sonic Dissonance puts it well in their review of this album: "Catchy, powerful and fun leaves little to be desired when talking about what makes a punk band great."

For fans of: Papa Roach + Pennywise + Rise Against