Guardian Music — Late-80s home of the Cocteau Twins and Pixies has "a certain class", and a host of new artists faithful to its aestheticWhat is it about a record label that makes it the sort of place you want to spend time in? When it first emerged in the 1980s, 4AD... more info

Guardian Music — This Oakland rap duo's free mixtapes are so good, we can't wait to hear what they sound like when they get paidHometown: North Oakland, California.The lineup: Squadda B and MondreM.A.N.The background: Main Attrakionz were on the December 2011 cover o... more info

Totally Fuzzy — Darkness-looming Italian gothic metal belters Lacuna Coil are back for their sixth go-round, Dark Adrenaline. Dropping January 24 via their longtime home Century Media, the album matches their timeless, ever-bombastic, black-clad swoon with some o... more info

Guardian Music — Alexis Petridis picks his highlights of the year aheadKing Creosote and Jon HopkinsOne of 2011's low-key delights was Diamond Mine, the Mercury-nominated collaboration between Fife singer-songwriter King Creosote and electronic musician Jon Hopkins: ... more info

Guardian Music — This 'gnarly version of Enya' veers between acoustica and atmospherica – but it's definitely a case of the weirder the betterHometown: London.The lineup: Astrud Steehouder (vocals, music).The background: Paper Dollhouse is the adopted name of Astru... more info

Guardian Music — This free download was anything but throwaway. The chillwave-tinged R&B spoke of codeine, cold sex and pills … and invited you to luxuriate in Abel Tesfaye's heartacheHouse of Balloons was the debut album by this Toronto-based artist, and was so hi... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — by BBG All the pieces are in place. The floral album cover. The lush arrangements that tip their hat to The Jesus & Mary Chain, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins, and My Bloody Valentine. The ethereal production. But while Portland's Anne clearly... more info

Guardian Music — Its writer refused to record it. Pat Boone almost killed it. Then it was resurrected as a B-side to an indie prestige project. Martin Aston on how Tim Buckley's Song to the Siren became a modern classicIt's a Jim'll Fix It fantasy for any musical o... more info

Perez Hilton — Uhm, Faye Wong should cover more things…like every one of our favorite songs! After hearing her cover Tori Amos' Silent All These Years, we wanted to do a little research on this gem and we found out she's insanely popular in Asia! She's also coll... more info

Stereogum — It’s been a while since we checked in with Christopher O’Riley, the pianist known for his majestic renditions of Radiohead and Elliott Smith songs. But now, O’Riley returns with cellist collaborator Matt Haimovitz for Shuffle.Play.Listen, an tw... more info