Yeasayer: "Ambling Alp"
With its mystical lyrics and psychedelic flourishes, Yeasayer's debut record, All Hour Cymbals, was the feel-good indie rock record of ’07. However, "Ambling Alp," the first track from the group's sophomore record to see the light of day, finds the Brooklyn band getting more direct with its positive vibes. Chris Keating drops more [...]

Western pop music, says producer Johan Karlberg, "wouldn't be the same if we weren’t influenced by African or Middle Eastern music. But if you argue too much about these things, you’re thinking too hard and not listening."
Karlberg is Swedish, Etienne Tron (his partner in the production duo Radioclit) is French, singer Esau Mwamwaya is Malawian, and [...]