I keep hearing The Caribbean’s music described as "Avant-garde" or maybe "Avant-Pop." Certainly, the title seems to fit the music on a lot of levels. There are raspy vocals recounting narratives that don’t quite go anywhere in that very postmodern kind of way, there are uncommon chord changes that can remind you of late 20th century orchestral music, there are drones and echoes and backwards guitars played and recorded on a mixture of modern and vintage equipment. But, to my ears, something about that "Avant-garde" label just doesn’t seem to quite fit. 

The term usually carries an implied context that what you are about to hear was written only for the enjoyment of other musicians, or at least for a well-trained ear. When I first heard The Caribbean’s music, that was not my impression at all. Instead, I found it relaxing and casually familiar in a way that makes me want to make a mix tape for a mid-summer evening on the beach. 

Certainly, if you take the time to really listen to their music, you will find layers and layers of complexity –  musically, lyrically and emotionally. But, The Caribbean has managed to produce music that both the thinking man’s musician and the casual music lover can appreciate together.

The band’s fifth album, Discontinued Perfume, is scheduled to be released by Hometapes on February 22. They’ve released their first single from the album, "Mr. Let’s Find Out," as a free download. The song was inspired by Leonard Bernstein. Or rather, by a New Yorker article on Leonard Berstein. Or rather, by the way that article made The Caribbean feel when they reflected on it. I know, I know. We’re slipping back into Avant-garde territory. But, don’t fret about it. Just relax, listen and pretend that winter is already over.

P.S. If the single teaser track isn’t enough for you, The Caribbean has also released a free-to-download 12 song, 8 year retrospective here. 

–Jarrett

The Caribbean – Mr. Let’s Find Out

The Brooklyn two-piece Argotec, consisting of rapper Alex Argot and producer/engineer Defpotec, combines forces to generate chaotic soundscapes heralding an imminent apocalypse. Defpotec engineers beats that blip with Squarepusher frenzy and honk like an ethereal goose born from one of Mike Patton’s recurring nightmares. Argot’s deep vocals plow through these rocky rhythms with staccato rants on all manner of topics from current political turmoil to personal emotional rants. Though Argot’s flow can be inconsistent at times, his style and charisma generally make up for it. The screamo influence paired with staunch independent hip hop ideology makes for an interesting if not bi-polar listening experience. Argotec is not dance music; however if your headphones need a good workout on your daily commute, it’s a worthwhile download. If you prefer the direct impact of a live performance instead, the band has a busy live schedule, check them out at Sullivan Hall on February 3rd. – BrokeMC

Robin Bacior is an emerging Brooklyn based singer songwriter we stumbled upon about one minute ago. We liked the simplicity, sincerity and tastefulness of this song and video. She is playing lovely Pete’s Candy Store on February 6, an appropriately intimate venue for this kind of music.

Warm Ghost (birth name Paul Duncan) play music best experienced in a dark, damp, basement setting after you’ve knocked back a couple or a couple too many, Duncan’s vocals sounding so dark and echoing that he very well could have railed lines off a vodocer with Ian Curtis. In embracement of our digital age, his songs feature electronic-based instruments such as sythns, drum machines, and processed field recordings, to create listenable, enjoyable, and even danceable (if you count languid head-nods and toe taps) soundscapes of our modern day. In collaboration with Oliver Chapoy, Warm Ghost will be releasing their EP Uncut Diamond (Partisan Records) ion February 15. Don’t miss their CD release party on 02.12 at Glasslands. – Katie Bennett