Whenever Shelflife Records knocks on my mailbox, I’m more than willing to open the doors wide up. Today’s no exception, as their latest signing, Toronto-based The Holiday Crowd, fits perfectly into the label’s already great catalogue.

If you like indie-pop with a touch of the Smiths, you won’t be disappointed with this band. Free single Never Speak Of It Again has all that Brit flair and indie appeal we all like, right? Give it a listen, and visit Shelflife for information on how to get more music by this crowd!

Never Speak Of It Again (MP3)

…To Astronomy. That’s what Nada Surf picked as the title for their newest album. After their last outing filled with cover versions of more or lesser known songs, we finally get a new, “proper” studio album. And I must say it turned out pretty good. It’s got more punch than Lucky, has some great guitar riffs and a fair share of those catchy melodies we love the band for.

The album will be released worldwide over the next two weeks, and the label already offers a free download of the first single When I Was Young. There’s also one more song free up for grabs on Soundcloud.

Nada Surf – Waiting For Something by cityslang

Nada Surf – When I Was Young (MP3)

Following my post from December 7th, here’s another new song from School Of Seven Bells‘ forthcoming album Ghostory. Lafaye is the first official single from the album, and also the name of the tormented character that Ghostory will be about. Sounds like a concept album to me, which raises my expectations even higher. Ghostory will be released on February 28th.

School of Seven Bells – Lafaye by Vagrant Records

Nightcall (feat. Lovefoxxx) by Kavinsky

College feat. Electric Youth – A Real Hero by College

I know it has been rather quiet around here lately (and to be honest, at this stage I don’t really know if it’s ever getting better…), but I just have to share this one with you. Here’s a first and quite brilliant song from School Of Seven Bells, taken from the forthcoming album Ghostory. It will be out February 28th, 2012, and if this is an indicator for what we can expect, you better mark that date in your calendars. Now go and listen – and download – The Night!

School of Seven Bells – The Night by Vagrant Records

Fossil Collective – Without A Fight (Dark Dark Horse Remix)

and here’s the video to the song:

Another song that has been whirling around my head for the last weeks is this one:

Never heard of them before, but this one really got my attention. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is nowhere near Young Blood. Anyway, plenty of other good music around, and you’ll read about some of it here soon… I hope!