First Listens

Bloom by Beach House, Passage by Exitmusic

NPR.org is piling it on this week, making "First Listens" of albums by two dream pop duos available.  Both Beach House's Bloom and Exitmusic's Passage figure to place highly on many year-end lists this year.

I've finally listened to both of them, and I think I prefer the darker, more downbeat entry from Exitmusic.  Though, check them both out for yourself.  They figure to be available for streaming until the albums' official releases.  Don't expect to be dancing in your bedroom.

Update:  Forgot to mention that Best Coast's The Only Place is also streaming this week.  Go check that out, too.  Either via NPR or maybe you can just hear it being piped over the sound system at Urban Outfitters.