XLR8R

Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson have been releasing tracks as Minilogue for about eight years now. The Swedish duo chose wisely with their portmanteau moniker (a combination of "minimal" and "dialogue"); their songs are minimal soundscapes that mix elements of '90s techno dramatics with dark, sparse beats. Hendrikkson knows a thing or two about techno, as he's been spinning some of southern Sweden's biggest parties since the mid-nineties. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Mullaert is classically trained in piano and violin as well. This latest track, "Jamaica," fits right in their oeuvre: a long, dark beat driven into a loud, drumming climax. Wyatt Williams

How does a white drum line kid from Spokane, Washington end up making a record that fits right in with the classic electro tunes of Egyptian Lover, Cameo, and Skyy? Well, according to the kid, James Pants, "It's just the sound of really cheap equipment, listening to a lot of records, and goofing off." He nails that '80s sound on Welcome, his debut LP on Stones Throw, and the result is an ass-shaking success. On this brand new track, our Oak-town hero and neighbor Too $hort gets some hot remix treatment from Mr. Pants. Wyatt Williams

Seattle, Washington has a big problem on its hands, a problem that goes by the name Truckasauras. Made from a Voltron-esque composite of analog electronics and a hacked Gameboy, this three-person group has an insatiable taste for cheap beer and homo-erotic professional wrestling matches. Sent as a debut transmission from the monster's hideout, Tea Parties, Guns, and Valor seems to indicate that Truckasauras might soon be venturing out in search of more whiskey and VHS copies of old Airwolf episodes. You've been warned. Wyatt Williams

If it's a good, solid adrenaline kick you're craving, look no further than The Delta Fiasco. The Liverpool-based trio will soon release its first EP, Dreameater, much to the delight of those who love the ever-evolving amalgamation of dance music and indie rock. Here, the boys unleash a torrent of guitars, synthesizers, laptop-generated bleeps, and outer space-like noises while vocalist Nathan Walczak belts lyrics into the mic in an endearingly off-key fashion.

Car companies have been incorporating dance music into their commercials for more than a few years, but the Toyota-owned Scion A/V has stepped past those hasty 30 second spots by releasing the music itself. Ghostface Killah lent his "Charlie Brown" track, left off of Fishscale because of licensing issues, to this Scion A/V 12" series, to be remixed by a few hot electro acts. Featured here is the mix from Orgasmic-of Paris-based rap group TTC-who brings some high energy French beats to back the vocals of a legend. Wyatt Williams

Currently operating out of San Francisco, Texas-born Dominique Leone cites everyone from Claude Debussy to ABBA as his musical influences, and the multi-talented producer/songwriter/singer capitalizes on his classical music background as well. His self-titled debut album is the first for Lindstrøm and Smalltown Supersound's new Strømland Records imprint, and is a collection of intricately arranged pop numbers that appear to utilize every instrument–electronic or otherwise–under the sun. Photo by Jess Halverson.

Crunc Tesla is another one of those musical Renaissance men who have worked a ridiculous amount of diversity into their careers. He has accomplished everything from founding a record label (Luv Technologies) to making music under many different aliases and touring with names as diverse as Dizzee Rascal and Bright Eyes. He even had a stint with the trombone at one point. His recently released debut album, What's Really Rad, fuses his Atlanta hip-hop roots with B-more bass and electro beats, and features a slew of guest artists.

Glyn Bush has released dub tunes and mixes under a variety of monikers, most notably as Rockers Hi-Fi, though these days he works mostly under the names BiggaBush and Lightning Head. In an effort to keep his different projects under one roof, most everything rocking out of his studio is now released on his own Lion Head Recordings imprint. This Lightning Head track draws heavily from West African music of the mid-70s, not unlike the great Nigeria Special compilations we've been rocking around the office here at XLR8R. Appropriately, "Afro Spot" is named for the legendary night club in Lagos, Nigeria. Wyatt Williams

Jal begins this track with the line "I believe I've survived for a reason/to tell my story, to touch lives." Needless to say, the Sudan-born MC–who served a large chunk of his childhood in a rebel movement known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army–has some heavy topics to impart on his debut album, Warchild. His lyrics touch on the devastating impact of conflict in his homeland, his need to share those experiences, and the lack of responsibility contemporary hip-hop superstars have with regards to being role models. The album's story is, perhaps, not the most easygoing one to tell, but nonetheless an important one to share.

Former roomates Eriksolo and Quarterbar moved together to Oakland to form Meanest Man Contest some years ago, and from that act evolved a sound that encompasses everything from instrumental hip-hop laced with jazz samples to electro-flavored beats. The duo now splits time between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and will soon release a two-part remix project in which a slew of artists to rework tracks. Here, France-based Debruit adds some electro-synth-madness to the track "We Wouldn't Want it Any Other Way."