RECORD OF THE YEAR

bliss release RECORD OF THE YEARCloud Control, Bliss Release

Having released a self-titled EP to much acclaim back in 2007, Cloud Control won ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2008 SMAC awards. Our love affair with this Sydney band continued to blossom with their debut album, Bliss Release, a local, national and international success released in May this year. Gorgeous harmonies and sunshine pop meets the occasional distorted guitar – tied together by the band’s ability to write catchy, dynamic songs.

foreign tapes 220x219 RECORD OF THE YEARParades, Foreign Tapes

Parades are a 4 piece art-rock band from Sydney. Having only formed in 2008, they have already made a sizeable splash, attracting some incredible feedback from critics and listeners alike. Parades’ debut album Foreign Tapes was released in April 2010 through Dot Dash/Remote Control. Featuring tracks played on FBi as demos a couple of years back, Foreign Tapes gave the band’s indie pop songs some pretty new textures courtesy of Jonothan Boulet’s production.

church RECORD OF THE YEARPVT, Church With No Magic

Since forming way back in 1999, it took 3-piece experimental rock band PVT until 2005 to release their debut LP. Since then, PVT have gone from strength to strength, being nominated for a swag of industry awards, signing to legendary UK label Warp Records, and having now released their biggest and most ambitious disc to date – Church With No Magic. Sophisticated and experimental, PVT are one of the few bands constantly striving to make Australian music more progressive – and for that, we salute them.

my volcano RECORD OF THE YEARRichard In My Mind, My Volcano

Richard In Your Mind started out in 2006 as the recording project of former roommates Richard Cartwright (guitar, vocals, harmonica, sitar & more) and Conrad Richters (bass, synth, guitar). RIYM’s latest offering, My Volcano, is the band’s second full length release and sees them take their already psychedelic, off-beat pop aesthetic to dizzying new heights. Tribal freak-outs, lo-fi anti-folk jams and swirling echoes that you can almost taste. The band’s second album bubbles with loose guitars, junk shop drum beats and wistful vocals. An utter delight.

kyu RECORD OF THE YEARKyü, Kyü

It’s been a huge year for experimental pop outfit, KYU. The duo formed just over a year ago and they’ve already achieved more than many of their longstanding counterparts. In their short existence KYU have won both the Sydney Uni band comp and the Homebake Incentive competition, played a handful of high profile support slots and have recorded one of the most exciting and original songs to come out of Sydney in recent memory. Their self-titled debut left us in no doubt of their flair for pop and experimentalism. It features tribal syncopated drums, pitch perfect harmonies and a real sense of adventure.

its happening RECORD OF THE YEARStraight Arrows, It’s Happening

Straight Arrows formed around three years ago and can now add debut album It’s Happening to their string of 7” releases. Having recently signed to Rice is Nice, the band features members of three other great Sydney bands – Red Riders, Holy Soul and Circle Pit. Their DIY attitude and continued involvement in Sydney’s bourgeoning underground scene is perfectly characterised by thesound of It’s Happening. This is medium-fidelity, melodic garage rock with bucket loads of surf guitar riffs, recorded on genuine 1950′s equipment.

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