The Annuals recently released a five song EP and it’s all about quality, not quantity. Every song on Sweet Sister has its own individual flavor; making the track-to-track listen a seriously pleasant experience. From music quality to production, it’s all there. With only two full-length albums under their belt, this record makes up for the sophomore mistake of going with a major label when independent just worked so well.

Song Standouts
- Loxtep
- Sweet Sister
- Turncloaking

Grade: B+

Claimed by J. Ua

Manchester’s Starless & Bible Black released their sophmore album Shape of the Shape, which is an illustration of the trio’s evolution and overall shift to more of a futuristic space cowboy’s song. Distancing their strategy to that of their self-titled debut album in 2006, the sound lost its acoustic feel. Helene Gautier’s voice stands up front, backed by an electric surround of wired instruments and reverberating tones.

Grade: B

Song Standouts
- Your Majesty Man
- Say Donna Say
- Les Furies