“Love Letters”, the title track to Metronomy’s upcoming follow-up to 2011’s The English Riviera, is the London-based band’s latest single. Today the band confirmed on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show that a video for the manic kinetic track will be directed by Michel Gondry. Love Letters is due March 10.
Metronomy 
(Official) (Twitter)
Rating 8.3
New York band Mainland play the sort of hooky melodies first, jabby guitars second; closely followed next by casual impetuousness and general nonchalance formula that’s proven out for bands like The Strokes and Postelles. The excellent Jim Eno-produced (Spoon) “Savant” is the lead single from Mainland’s upcoming self-released EP “Shiner” due February 25.
Mainland 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Whalers out of Austin, Texas ably blend modern indie w/ touches of surf rock (dat chorus) and classic UK rock (and dat distorted guitar drive) on “Battleships”. The track is the lead single from an upcoming LP called Submarine Sun which will see a release on April 8th.
Whalers 
(Official)
Rating 8.5
Many say that UK guitar bands have become less relevant and inventive as the indie pendulum has swung towards softer and more electronic music. Of course it’s only a matter of time before the guitars reclaim the throne. The Crookes consistently deliver refreshing, energetic, catchy songs. Their third album Soapbox comes in April and “Play Dumb” is the lead single. Behind the uptempo tune is a joyous vibe and monster collection of hooks. Frontman George Waite sings about hitting his midlife crisis at age 25 and about not letting a certain relationship get the best of him. The Crookes hail from Sheffield, England — same place the Arctic Monkeys come from. If there are those who feel that UK guitar-based bands fell off in the wake of the Arctics blowing up years ago, it might be the Crookes who help bring the sound back to the forefront. They will be at SXSW this year. Reviewed By Bruce Rave
The Crookes (Facebook)
Hear Bruce’s “Go Deep With Bruce Rave” weekly new music show on Indie1031/Los Angeles and WSUM-FM/Madison. Details and archived shows can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
