Boy in Static

Proclaiming influences from Slowdive, Sigur Rós, Notwist and My Bloody Valentine, Boston-based Alexander Chen is the singer/songwriter behind Boy in Static. With a debut album on Notwist’s Alien Transistor label, his follow up release on Mush is a series of fuzzy distortions and hushed pop ballads that were pieced together with more than 15 instruments being played by Chen. All ten tracks are pensive and heartrending, with the epitome of Violet in all its glory shining through on "Where It Ends.” Infectiously rhythmic guitar melodies overlaid with Chen’s dreamy vocals, it’s one of those songs that’s a must for a solitary drive on an open country road.

(Mush, www.dirtyloop.com)