Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

Summery and incredibly catchy - what two better qualities could you want in a song this time of year? Bringing the sunshine over from California, Foster The People have been turning heads with their brilliant single Pumped Up Kicks.

Charting in America, the UK, Australia and pretty much everywhere else you care to mention, its appeal is universal.

Channeling much of the same psychadelic indie-pop dreamyness that made us flock to MGMT and Empire of the Sun so readily, Foster The People make a more than ample job at honing in on the sound of 'now'.

Amazon are currently offering a free download of the Hood Internet mix of the track, so what are you waiting for? Go get it!

Pumped Up Kicks and the band's album Torches are available to download from iTunes now.

The Pierces - You'll Be Mine

The Pierces’ Love You More EP was one of my favourite collections of tracks from last year so I approached their new single with a little trepidation, not sure if they’d ever be able to live up to their previous glories. Thankfully though, their new single You’ll Be Mine allays all fears. It’s stunning. Again, love provides the theme for the girls’ folksy, poppy hybrid sound.

There’s a beautiful sun-kissed Balearic feel to the song; it speaks of long blazing days in the Mediterranean sun, and even longer nights relaxing on the beach as the waves rush into the shore. There’s touches of New Order’s classic Republic album here and more than a dash of Empire of the Sun’s We Are The People. Driven by a tuneful acoustic strum and delightful music-box-esque sparkle, the melodies are spot on, with a charming little refrain that will stick right in your head. As with the Love You More, this is utterly bewitching, demanding constant repeat listens.

You’ll Be Mine is released on 7^th March.