The xx

The xx is a young trio band from London, England. They have a very unique calm smooth spacey sound. There's really not other music a lot like this, The xx almost created a new sound. When they released their debut album "xx" in 2009, it received many awards and praises from critics, including the Barclaycard Mercury Award. They are currently working on their second album to be released in 2012.

Their most popular track is "Islands". Some of my favorites are the "Intro" track to the album, "Heart Skipped A Beat" and "Crystalised".

www.thexx.info

The xx on iTunes.

Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons is brand new band (as of 2010) who found its roots in Provo Utah, now from Las Vegas. Music critics have said that they have what it takes to be the next big thing to come out of Vegas (Such as bands like Panic! At the Disco, and The Killers). They have been compared to The Killers, but they definitely have a unique sound. The band’s lead singer Dan Reynolds has an unforgettably powerful stage presence that always really gets to the audience. Their shows are known as being explosive and powerful. Which I completely agree with, seeing them live myself.

They released 2 EPs in 2010 and just released a full album in 2011. From their EPs I really like “Hear Me” and “Curse” From their album “Tokyo” is really worth listening to. I’ve also lately really loved “Amsterdam”.

www.imaginedragonsmusic.com
And Imagine Dragons on iTunes.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver's name is a play on a French word, actually pronounced bone eee-vare. Lead singer Justin Vernon (pictured) and his band are doing great stuff in the music industry. Bon Iver only has one full album out right now as well as one EP. He just released his new single "Calgary" for his upcoming album "Bon Iver, Bon Iver" which is set to be released June 21, 2011. Justin Vernon is known for his almost haunting falsetto voice. He also effectively uses a lot of harmony. It's definitely worth giving Bon Iver a listen, and definitely makes it easy to identify a Bon Iver track when you hear it. His most popular song is "Skinny Love" which is the first song I heard of Bon Iver and I really liked it and got into more. Some of my favorites are "Re: Stacks", "Blindsided", and "Flume". Every song is fantastic though, definitely listen to more if you like it.

www.boniver.org
Bon Iver on iTunes

William Fitzsimmons

William Fitzsimmons is a really low key more mellow artist. He has a really interesting background. He grew up with both his parents being blind. He actually started writing music after getting his masters degree in counseling and working in mental health therapy. A unique background, but you can see influences of it in his music. He writes especially beautiful easy going songs, they really have a feel and mood that he tries to get across as you listen. His 2008 album "The Sparrow and the Crow" impressively reached #1 on the iTunes folk charts. He has four full albums released so far along with a more experimental EP titled "Derivatives". He often incorporates electronic beats and sounds into his songs, especially more in his recent work. He actually has a brand new album "The Gold and The Shadow" released March of 2011, which is amazing and definitely lived up to the hype.

His most popular and well known song is "Passion Play" due to it being featured on Grey's Anatomy. Some of my favorites are "The Tide Pulls from the Moon" and "Beautiful Girl" from his most recent album. And as far as his older stuff "You Still Hurt Me" and "So This is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix)". Along with so so many others. Five sampler songs won't do him justice.

Check out www.wiliamfitzsimmons.com
And a link to his iTunes.