Lawless Element

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Straight out of Detroit, golden-era revivalists, Lawless Element, aim to redirect the attention of mainstream audiences. Cousins Magnif and Griot, ages 19 and 21 respectively, have been perfecting their game since grade school by studying the masterstrokes of Pete Rock, DJ Premier, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. Lawless Element's profound respect for hip-hop's past shines through with a sound that is reminiscent of their forefathers. But style thieves they are not. Magnif and Griot come with a unique approach that can only be compared to the influential producers they collaborate with, J. Dilla (Slum Village) and Madlib.

Similar Artists: Slum Village, Little Brother, A Tribe Called Quest

Feist

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Leslie Feist traded in her screaming punk rock glory days for timeless baroque stylings. After being told by physicians that her punk vocalizations would leave her unable to sing, Leslie Feist retreated to Toronto with a guitar and a four-track recorder in tow. During her state of hibernation, Feist sought the assistance of a voice specialist, which, by the sound of her latest album--Let It Die--paid off. Balancing sophisticated Parisian style with classic 1970s AM radio folk, Feist layers her saccharine harmonies over impossibly entrancing pop. And the effect is astounding. So get used to seeing her name, as Leslie Feist may well become the Astrud Gilberto of modern popular music.

Similar Artists: Call and Response, Emiliana Torrini, Hope Sandoval

Cool Calm Pete

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Straight from the borough of Queens, Cool Calm Pete manages to live up to his moniker. With self-produced beats and a flow reminiscent of legendary MCs from hip-hop's golden era, Cool Calm Pete doesn't just ape the Native Tongue aesthetic--he rearranges and modernizes it for a generation too young to recall De La Soul's "Daisy Age." Again, Cool Calm Pete is no style thief, as he generates sample-laden productions, providing the perfect backdrop for his self-deprecating tales of urban living. Pete tackles the art of rhyme without coming off like a bedroom broadband rapper, but he has his tongue tightly pressed in his cheek all the while.

Similar Artists: Aesop Rock, J-Live, People Under the Stairs

Kate Earl

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From the frigid Alaskan landscape comes a youthful singer whose voice could warm the coldest of nights. 22-year-old Kate Earl abandoned her career as a gas station attendant to pursue her passion for music in the sun-bleached haze of Los Angeles. Autobiographical tales of daydreaming, potential drunken driving, and unrequited love flow effortlessly from Earl's haunting voice. Her debut album, Fate Is the Hunter, offers a languid jazzy-light rock sound that's teeming with piano, emotive strings, soaring guitar, and, of course, Earl's captivating voice.

Similar Artists: Fiona Apple, Beth Orton, The Court & Spark

Eisley

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They say the family that plays together stays together. And in this case, the family also attracted a friend. This quintet of four siblings and one childhood playmate has bubbled up from the community church and coffeehouse scene of Tyler, Texas, only to find itself opening for the likes of Coldplay. The Dupree sisters delight with intoxicating vocal harmonies that inspire introspective moments and extensive daydreaming. The production is lush and surprisingly not as melodramatic as the group's brooding stance may suggest. Eisley dazzles with brilliant pop orchestrations that appeal to folks across generation and genre divides.

Similar Artists: Sixpence None the Richer, The Sundays, Cat Power