The thing about Sigur Rós: It sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard before. The thing about Sigur Rós bandleader Jónsi’s solo album: It sounds like Sigur Rós… only stronger.

jj jumped onto everyone’s radar last year with nº 2, yet somehow they remain elusive. What we do know: Joakim Benon and Elin Kastlander craft dreamy pop tunes with heavy doses of Balearic house music, cavernous reverb, and the great melodic sense that seems intrinsic to Swedes.

The Besnard Lakes take their grandiose cues from the ‘70s: massive sounds, massive ideas, double albums, and seven-minute opuses. Their harmonies are rooted in the Brian Wilson and Sgt. Pepper era. The vocal treatment, all reverb and wide-open space, is clearly set in the here and now.

Sometimes following the career of Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) is kind of like watching Winona Ryder’s dating life: it’s fascinating to see who will turn up next, but at the same time, there’s always the lingering desire to see him pick one and stick with it.

For a time I was convinced Spencer Krug did not sleep, instead spending his nights tapping away at a Casio keyboard, penning his next great indie rock fantasy. In addition to his role as Sunset Rubdown’s frontman, the Canadian avant-rocker balances responsibilities in Wolf Parade and Swan Lake, as well as a burgeoning solo project deemed Moonface. With the release of Moonface’s Dreamland EP: Marimba and Shit-Drums, there’s musical proof that Krug does, in fact, find the time for shut-eye—and that he dreams quite a bit while doing so.

Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey have impeccable taste. While on a break from their main band, Coombes and Goffey decided to team up with famed producer Nigel Godrich for this album of 12 cover songs. Among others, they tackle David Bowie (“Queen Bitch”), The Kinks (“Big Sky”), Roxy Music (“Love Is the Drug”), Sex Pistols (“E.M.I.”), and Gang of Four (“Damaged Goods”).

One of the most thankless jobs in music involves those trying earnestly to put a truly personal stamp on separate bands, especially when both are existing units. Such is the case with Alan Sparhawk, who has been a part of the fabric of Low since the early ‘90s. With the release of its second album, Sparhawk’s new-ish band, Retribution Gospel Choir, is at least past the tabula rasa stage, but the singer/guitarist still has plenty of work ahead beyond his day job.

Much like New York, the city that defines his sound, Adam Green is in a hurry. Maybe that’s why all 13 songs on the former Moldy Peaches member’s latest release, titled Minor Love, clock in at well under the three-minute mark. And perhaps that’s why this is Green’s sixth album in eight years.

On her debut solo album, soul-pop singer/songwriter and former Jealous Girlfriends vocalist Holly Miranda is a reflection of the company she keeps. But that’s not to say she rides coattails. Her point of view shines on The Magician’s Private Library, but through the lens of TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, who served as producer.