Staph

STAPH is an emo band from Chicago. Their latest and only release, "Keys EP," a 3 track blast in the face, just so happens to be one of the best records I've heard all year. It is unbelievable that this band is still only playing for crowds of 10 give or take, they are sure to develop a following in the very near future. Given their emo-of-yore aesthetic they could very easily be featured on fourfa.com but they still have a grocery store produce aisle fresh sound. Speaking of which, the production of this EP rules, rough around the edges but very warm. STAPH is definitely an infection to keep an eye on.

Keys EP

Marine Girls

Marine Girls were a twee pop band from Herfordshire, England. Despite being English they actually managed to make terrific music. They had already broken up by the release of their second record, Lazy Ways, and they haven't reunited so their legacy remains untainted. The record's minimal yet warm tracks are sprayed with a nautical motif and lovelorn lyrics. And fortunately, instead of forcing the dub tendencies typical of other early 80s English girl bands (The Slits, The Raincoats, The Clash, etc) they opted a more jazz inflected route which suited the band's sparse easygoing style and accentuated their unique rhythms. Marine Girls politely underline how terrible basically everything else from England is.

Second Sight
You Must Be Mad