Five For Free #26

Kevin - A Lonely Place

As well as having the world's greatest band name, Finnish quartet Kevin also make fantastic music with a great sense of melody and harmony. They've released two albums so far and are lining up a third to be released early in 2012. The first track taken from it it the superb sunny guitar-pop of 'A Lonely Place', perfect for brightening up these dark winter days. Hit the arrow to download.

A Lonely Place by Kevin (band)

Kevin's website






High Places - Year Off

Also about to release their third album are Brooklyn duo High Places whose new LP 'Original Colors' is out in the UK on Monday. Boasting a slightly 80s feel, 'Year Off' ads balls to the fast fading chillwave genre with its use of pulsating synth atmospherics and a meaty mid-tempo beat. The vocal is pretty sweet too, and the best news is you can download it free below.

High Places - Year Off by thrilljockey

High Places' website

Buy the album.






Cass McCombs - The Same Thing

The man who John Peel once described as "Unobtrusively brilliant", Cass McCombs is back with another album, just a few months after his last. The Californian singer-songwriter releases 'Humor Risk' on Monday - it will be his sixth (seventh if you count mini album 'Not The Way') and once again showcases his masterful way with a tune. Check out free track 'The Same Thing'.

Cass McCombs - The Same Thing by snipelondon

Cass McCombs' website

Buy the album.






Starfucker - Boy Toy

Well we've heard for Brooklyn (as is par for the course!) so we'd better hear from Portland, Oregon too. The delightfully named Starfucker release new album 'Jupiter' this week and you can pick up single 'Boy Toy' for free. The track is surprisingly jovial, bordering on the cheesy, and a lot of fun. Electro synth-pop this light was not what we were expecting from this lot.

Boy Toy by starfucker_usa

Starfucker's website

Buy the album.






Esben & The Witch - Hexagons II (The Flight)

It was great to see Brighton trio Esben & The Witch gatecrashing the BBC Sound Of 2011 at the start of the year, and they've since released their debut album on Matador Records. Now they're back with a new EP 'Hexagons' on Monday. There is plenty of atmosphere going on on free taster 'Hexagons II (The Flight)' with its stuttering beat and ghostly vocals. Like The xx on a bad trip.



Esben & The Witch's website

Buy the EP.






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