Six new year kicks (+2).

I'm teeming with stuff to post here, but I rarely have the time to do so. Albums-to-buy lists, decade recaps et al.

I do however have the time to point out a few tracks that are very much on my mind these days. As always, I have a tough time limiting myself, thus six became seven. In other stuff, I got a few new albums these last weeks. I got a hold of Cut Off Your Hands' album You And I, which is really awesome. Very beatle-esque at times, and I just can't get my ears off 'Oh Girl'. I'm really surprised they aren't bigger around here than they are. Not even proper musos down here necessarily know them. I also got Julian Casablancas' solo debut (as a christmas present, thanks Peter!), which I haven't gotten around to hear yet though. I also must mention that I met a fellow Battles-admirer yesterday, what a rare joy.

As for Roskilde, I am not entirely thrilled by Nephew's return to the glitz of Orange. Their gig in '07 was awesome, but then again, I really doubt they'll be able to top it. Expectations will be huge, and I'm not sure which means even this by all standards amazing live act can apply to live up to them.

But let's get to it, the tracks that soundtrack these last few weeks for me. First of all, I'm growing ever more fond of The Kooks, whose amiable lo-fi garage-revival shines through most clearly on 'Seaside'.

On an entirely different front, I've been reviving Trentemoeller's fabulous remix of Royksopp's 'What Else Is There?'. This pan-Scandinavian club basher is indefatigable. So too is the vivid happyness of upcoming Danish outfit Ginger Ninja, whose second single off their January '10 debut, Wicked Map, 'Bone Will Break Metal' is really sweet as, as they say here.

Apart from Cut Off Your Hands, another choice Kiwi outfit is Kora, who played here in Queenstown, NZ, the day before I came here. They're supposed to be among the very best live acts here, so I'm quite bitter I didn't get to see them. I really need to go to a live performance of some kind soon, it's been too long. Check out 'On My Mind', and please disregard the samurai-themed cover.

Across the Tasman, we find the home of Jet. Whenever I hear tambourines, I anticipate one of my favourite dancing tunes, 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl?', which never dies. Speaking of pan-Tasmanian travel, I had 'Someone New' by Eskobar on my mind while crossing a few weeks ago, and it's stuck around since. One of the few proper break-up songs to be neither corny nor whiney.

A band which is pretty much atop my need-to-buy list when I get home is Kings of Convenience, whose recent album release might make them a candidate for reappearing at Roskilde, where they were last in 2008. Their beautiful, bossa nova'ey indie-shoegaze is some of the suavest stuff I've ever come across, such as 'Toxic Girl'. And while we're at shoegazing, what would the indie world be without Bon Iver? Such a genuine and extraordinary display of anguish and agony as displayed on For Emma, Forever Ago is nothing short of masterpiece-like. 'Skinny Love' is a definite highlight.

Six became 8. The aughties become then tens in a day and a bit. Roll on.

It's that time of the year again...

No, not christmas (well, it is, but it isn't to me, even though the Aussies do their best to be christmasy, even playing 'Let It Snow' in the supermarket...), but the time of Roskilde announcements.

So far, I'm thrilled that we're getting Muse and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, which were two of the names I had been hoping for. Muse played a massive show in '07, which still ranks near the top of my list, while seeing Dizzy Mizz Lizzy live will be a dream come true for me. It's gonna be massive.

The rest of the names don't excite me that much, although for the festival in general, I'm happy to see Pavement and NOFX being announced. They have been among the most yearned for bands the last few years. I, personally, am hoping to see, amongst others, Kashmir, Editors, Hot Chip and Does It Offend You, Yeah? on the list as well soon.

Talking about Kashmir, I've been listening to their new single 'Mouthful of Wasps' quite a few times now (as it has been haunting me whenever I don't), and I must say it is growing quite a lot on me. I love the bassline and especially the chord progression in the chorus. It really seems they're back not to appear as an aging, graying bunch of has-beens, but as a band who are still up for being a staple on the domestic scene.

To be honest, I am still a bit out of touch with goings on, but I try to keep up with who's on the up. One band that I had almost forgotten, but who are releasing their first full length in the beginning of 2010 are Delphic, who got my attention when they warmed up for Bloc Party in Copenhagen almost a year ago. It's like nothing I've ever seen come across the North Sea, but it does remind me vaguely of a crossover between the arpeggios of Marvel Hill and the ambience of Spleen United, both Danish acts. I think they might be up to something good with their first album, try check it out here!

Guess that's all for now. Too many festivals to choose from here in Melbourne this summer, none the wiser I'll leave for NZ tonight.