PodcastDirectory.com's listings of the NPR: World Cafe: Next from WXPN Podcasts

RJD2: A 'Colossal' Return To Form

Colossus marks a departure from the relatively traditional pop-rock sound of RJD2's 2007 album, The Third Hand. His pop influences surface on tracks such as "The Glow," but his textures are driven by kick and snare patterns that resemble the hip-hop of his earlier work.

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Taken By Trees' Victoria Bergsman traveled to Pakistan to record her sophomore album, East of Eden, enlisting the help of local musicians to expand upon her brand of delicate folk-pop.

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After working with a number of bands, Tommy T is following a new path as a solo artist. His album The Prester John Sessions presents listeners with what he calls "music without boundaries." It features improvised arrangements with The Abyssinian Roots Collective, Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hutz and Pedro Sprazo, and famous Ethiopian singer Gigi.

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Playing nine remarkable shows in Austin in 2009, Local Natives impressed enough fans, critics and record labels to get a release of their new album in the U.K. last fall (release in the U.S. is scheduled for February). Titled Gorilla Manor (in honor of their shared abode in Orange County,) the twelve-track collection is an emotional yet unfailingly cheerful pop offering.

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As a co-founder, lead guitarist and supporting vocalist of Tommy Tutone, Keller enjoyed mainstream success with "867-5309/Jenny." Hear some of his shimmering, rootsy folk in a profile on WXPN.

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Although Real Estate's debut album was released in November, it still feels like a breezy summer night. With just a pinch of catchy pop, the band plays melodic arrangements without making the hooks overly apparent.

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This captivating group, spawned from the ashes of the band Sound Team, mixes nostalgic '60s and '70s music with refreshing modern sounds. Combining subtle folk with electronics, keyboards and Brian Wilson-esque harmonies, Sunset has created a deeply compelling sound.

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After British singer-songwriter Bobby Long moved to London to pursue his music career, he didn't realize that his burgeoning friendship with actor Robert Pattinson (of the Twilight films) would result in one of today's most popular soundtrack hits. In 2008, the 22-year-old's gravelly "Let Me Sign" was featured on the Twilight soundtrack. Sung by Pattinson, the song put Long on the map.

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A sophisticated songwriter with a knack for wordplay, Landes has also worked as a recording engineer on several movie soundtracks. When she isn't behind the boards in the studio, she's singing her own indie-rock tunes. Her third studio album, Sweet Heart Rodeo, ties together classic tales of love and loss with the metaphorical device of the rodeo.

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Born into the Children of God cult, Girls' Christopher Owens escaped a life of spiritual hardship only to end up on the streets. Upon meeting Chet "JR" White, the two created their widely hyped debut, Girls: Album. The record is an attempt by Owens to make peace with his past and pave a clean road ahead — but the album isn't all serious. Lots of its songs are about hanging out with friends and, of course, girls.

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Shifting from upbeat tunes to soft-spoken country, hints of '60s soul and subtle pop, Maurus' sweet and rustic voice ties each track together seamlessly. Hear two songs from her upcoming debut EP, Why You Runnin', on World Cafe: Next.

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Freelance Whales' dreamy pop is getting a lot of attention, both on the streets and in the blogosphere. The group is often spotted playing on sidewalks, in train stations and at humble New York City venues. Lugging an atypical array of instruments — including the harmonium, banjo, glockenspiel, guitars, bass, drums and the waterphone — Freelance Whales' members make music that's undeniably quirky and fun.

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North Hills, the debut album from the L.A. band Dawes, is hardly the first record in recent years to draw comparisons to the work of Crosby, Stills and Nash. But though Dawes evokes a certain amount of nostalgia, that's not the limit of the group's appeal. Taylor Goldsmith's evocative lyrics and the band's elegant indie-folk harmonies both stand out.

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The group One eskimO is an audio-visual endeavour, and their self-titled debut album includes a full animation. But while their idiosyncratic, self-produced videos are a notable component of their work, the band's expressive music is the heart and soul of the enterprise.

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Skillfully combining layers of electric and acoustic guitar, bluesy bass and Petter Ericson Stakee's captivating vocals, Alberta Cross' approach to music is evidently a thoughtful one. Currently residing in New York, Alberta Cross has taken incredible strides to earn global recognition.

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Calling Hawthorne "retro" would not be far off, nor would it be the first time the Detroit multi-instrumentalist and producer has heard the label. But Hawthorne's '60s- and '70s-inspired soul sound is more than just a throwback.

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Since 2002, The Horse's Ha has featured Chicago scene veterans James Elkington and Janet Beveridge Bean. On their debut album, Of the Cathmawr Yards, they demonstrate undeniable talent and a unique vision. The veterans have found common ground with a somber folk aesthetic and dreamy jazz rhythms.

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Fruit Bats started out in the mid-'90s as a low-fidelity bedroom project for singer-songwriter Eric Johnson, but has grown from there. The group's most recent album, The Ruminant Band, showcases a vintage rock feel, with dusty melodies and beautiful harmonies laid out over a gravelly layer of electric guitar.

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Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is a young 10-piece indie-folk group that has already earned a fevered following in its native Los Angeles, where its live shows have become legendary. With a percussive sound, an air of good-natured affection and lots of opportunities to clap and whistle along, it's one of America's most intriguing new bands.

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Miike Snow is a band, not a person. Before its eponymous debut album came out in May, the band's identity was shrouded in mystery. Thanks to several promotional singles and remixes, Miike Snow caught fire in the blogosphere. The group combines sleek, modern production with touches of retro sound.

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