The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - "Simple and Sure"

It's been a while since we last heard from Brooklyn's jangle-pop band The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The dreamy-shoegaze group last delivered with 2011's Belong and now they're set to follow it up with Days of Abandon, out on April 22. Today, they shared the new track "Simple and Sure" which is a sunny pop song more in-line with 90s era college-rock instead of the fuzz induced guitars you may have been expecting. Either way, it seems like a great spring time jam!

Haim - "XO"

Following last year's amazing Days Are Gone, Haim are still blazing along their path to stardom. They recently dropped by BBC Radio 1 to cover what else, but Beyoncé's stunning "XO" and if that's not enough, they also shared a new video for "If I Could Change Your Mind". Ladies, you're flawless.

Real Estate - "Crime"

Real Estate's hotly anticipated third record, Atlas, is out March 4th. They're already shared the gorgeous single "Talking Backwards" and today they've given us a new video for the track "Crimes" which not only features the band playing the song, but teaches you the guitar chords as well!

Afghan Whigs - "Algiers"

On April 16, 90s indie-rock veterans Afghan Whigs will release their first new album in 16 years, Do to the Beast, via Sub Pop. Today, the band has shared the first single, "Algiers", and you can watch the video below in all its Western glory.

Woods - "Moving to the Left"

Woods (the Brooklyn folk-rockers, not, you know... nature) took last year off for the first time since 2009, but are now set to return on April 15 with a new album called With Light and With Love. Today they shared the track "Moving to the Left" which finds them focusing on beautiful melodies and steady drumming rather than their sometimes pysch-soaked rhythms, but is with no doubt a solid Woods jam.

Beck - "Waking Light"

Beck is set to release his first proper album since 2008's Modern Guilt on February 25. The record is called Morning Phase and you check out the album's closing track "Waking Light" now.

Alcest - "Opale"

Check out lead single "Opale" from the French black-metal turned dream-pop act Alcest. Their latest record, Shelter, takes it to the ethereal shoegaze extreme and features vocals from Neil Halstead from the recently reunited Slowdive (!!).

Neutral Milk Hotel played Brooklyn Academy of Music

"This is a long way from Grandma's basement" uttered Julian Koster midway through the second night of Neutral Milk Hotel's run through New York City. For the past fifteen years fans have been waiting for this moment when the famed indie band would revive their landmark recordings and share them on tour. Finally, the days have come. Jeff Mangum entered a barren stage as he began "Two Headed Boy Pt. 1" to thundering applause from the crowd. The spell binding moment was all too real as the song came to life. As the band took to the stage and gorgeously flowed into "Fool", a presence filled the room. This was a real moment, this was actually happening. Everything swelled with such motion and growth that by the time "Holland, 1945" rang out, the crowd was in rapture. Acting in time with Jeff, everyone sang directly along with each song creating a unity unlike anything I've ever seen or heard. Hundreds of people singing along to songs that thought they'd never hear in a live setting was suddenly happening in full force. When Jeff Mangum first inched back into the spotlight a few years back on his solo tour, the audience was treated to an intimate evening of Jeff sitting alone with his guitars showcasing these songs in such a beautiful way that it seemed a full blown reunion was not necessary. Watching the group perform together transported these songs to a state one would never believe possible. Everything from an incredibly haunting performance of "Oh Comely" to the hysteric breakdown of "King of Carrot Flowers, Parts 2 & 3" were not only monumental, but life affirming as well. Songs from On Avery Island especially were played with such energy and intensity that the floor boards began to shake and the raw tendencies were brought to new heights. Unsurprisingly it was "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" and the encore of the back half of the record of the same name that garnered an electric response. The mesmerizing magical moments of Jeff bouncing and bopping alongside Julian's dazzling accordion and saw skills, while Scott Spillane chanted along with every word, and Jeremy Barns kept impeccable time, made for such meaningful memories that will be cherished for quite some time. For many, these songs can have such a nostalgic value and recollect key moments in life that hearing them in the flesh can be tremendously overwhelming. But in the best possible way. After being convinced for years that seeing this band live would never be an option, being able to witness these songs be played at levels that exceed the records is a time and place I wish I could wait in for the rest of my life.

Setlist:
"Two Headed Boy Pt. 1"
"The Fool"
"Holland, 1945"
" A Baby for Pree / Glow Into You"
"Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone"
"Everything Is"
"The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1"
"The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 2 & 3"
"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"
"Naomi"
"Ferris Wheel on Fire"
"Oh Comely"
"Song Against Sex"
"Ruby Bulbs"
"Snow Song, Part One"
--
"Ghost"
"untitled"
"Two Headed Boy Pt. 2"
"Engine"

Keep Shelly in Athens - "Old Time Glory"

Keep Shelly in Athens has shared a new track "in homeage to singer Sarah P, who announced her departure from the band this past weekend, in order to focus on her other projects." While this marks a major (and rather sad) change in the band, they still plan to release a follow-up to last year's At Home later in 2014.

Liars - "Mess On A Mission"

On March 25, Liars will release their seventh studio album Mess. Today, they shared the first new track, "Mess On A Mission", which seems like a great progression from 2012's groove induced WIXIX.