Melodic explorer, Postcards From Jeff recently released the single “Veronica.” Musically, Postcards From Jeff seamlessly blends together far flung folk, electronica, country, krautrock and pop owing as much of a debt to Weilheim band The Notwist as to Ohio’s The National or even as far as Canada by taking inspiration from Neil Young. Postcards From Jeff looks forward to releasing a debut album in spring 2015.

“Veronica,” the free to download single, gives an indication of the themes explored in this highly anticipated debut.

“The idea of projection is running through the album,” Postcards From Jeff explains. “We’re influenced by the bombardment of aspirational images that come at us from all angles, giving us distorted perceptions of other peoples lives via film, television and social media. Ideas form and we see what we supposedly need to do to get ahead. I guess we can all be guilty of presenting heightened versions of ourselves to some extent.”

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“Veronica” by Postcards From Jeff

Sounds of Sputnik is the brainchild of Roman Kalitkin, whose signature sound mixes post-rock, shoegaze and dream pop with a slight kickback to noise pop. New Born is Sounds of Sputnik’s debut album — an extraordinary effort demonstrating an impeccable ability to blend genres, complete with layered harmonies, interlacing synth and distorted guitars. Kalitkin’s music has always gone against trends within his home country of Russia.

Collaborating with Canadian-Ukrainian duo Ummagma (Shauna McLarnon and Alexx Kretov), Kalitkin co-wrote and produced New Born. Ummagma emerged on the music scene by simultaneously releasing two LPs in 2012 and, more recently, releasing the double A-side single “Rotation” and the Lama LP on Emerald & Doreen Recordings. Having recorded together in the past, Roman, Shauna and Alexx reunited last year. This project represents a heartfelt attempt to create something of beauty in the face of the hostility occurring between Ukraine and Russia.

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“New Born” by Sounds Of Sputnik featuring Ummagma