Fleet Foxes

May 3 | “Helplessness Blues”

Think way back to summer 2008 — remember “Winter White Hymnal,” or the little band from Seattle called Fleet Foxes that sang it?  

Fleet Foxes has been making catchy folk songs for us since 2007, and this summer the band is treating listeners to a second full-length album, “Helplessness Blues.”  

The band has already released two singles from the new album, “Helplessness Blues”/”Grown Ocean” and “Battery Kinzie,” both of which signal a departure for the pop-folk sound that Fleet Foxes is known for.  

Instead, the singles feature a more natural, organic, even psychedelic sound.  

“Helplessness Blues” is available for free download, so give it a listen and get excited for “Helplessness Blues,” set to be released May 3.

Friendly Fires

May 24 | “Pala”

Just in time for summer, English group Friendly Fires has announced the release of its second full-length studio album since the 2008 release of their self-titled debut.  

The album, “Pala,” will be available on May 24 — a few weeks, sadly, after the UK release.  But their single “Live Those Days Tonight,” available for listening on the band’s website, promises yet another wonderfully dance-able effort by the band.  

Although Friendly Fires just wrapped up touring here in Austin last month, the band is still touring throughout the U.S.  

“Live Those Days Tonight” is an addictive and catchy preview of “Pala”  — check it out, and hope to the music gods that Friendly Fires decides to swing through Austin again in the near future.

Thurston Moore

May 24 | “Demolished Thoughts”

Sonic Youth may have made Thurston Moore a household name — well, at least in some circles — but he’s had no trouble making a name for himself with his solo albums.  

His fourth solo project, “Demolished Thoughts,” is set for release on May 24.

 “Benediction,” the first single off the album, has a string-laden sound paired with gentle vocals: a distinctly different sound from his years of work with Sonic Youth.  

Moore worked with several musicians on the album, from violinists to harpists, and “Benediction” shows that instrumental sound.  

Equally exciting is that the producer of “Demolished Thoughts,” is none other than folk-rock musician Beck.  

Such a team only amps up the anticipation for this summer album.  Listen to “Benediction” on Sound of the Overground and let your ears enjoy.

Bjork

Summer | “Biophilia”

Admit it — most of us are curious when Bjork appears in the news.

This time, the Icelandic singer is getting hype for her sixth full-length studio album, “Biophilia.”  

Check out her website, MySpace, Facebook, or Twitter for more information.  As of now, no singles have been released and no release date has been set — the only concrete information points to summer of 2011.

Bjork’s website claims that the album is “her most ambitious work to date, [and] aims to explore ideas like how sound works, the infinite expanse of the universe, from planetary systems to atomic structures.”  

The public would expect no less from such a celebrated eccentric.

Bjork is going on tour June 30–July 16 to promote “Biophilia,” which already looks to be another musical masterpiece.