Various, Los Shadows, Quelle Rox, Butter Bath, Polycool, Harpool, Alex Siegel, Scuba Svala, Orchid Mantis

Boston Alternative

College radio, cheap rehearsal rooms and loud guitars: the US underground's most literate, least glamorous engine room.

Gothenburg Indie Pop

Swedish rain-city pop played like a beach rave: sampled strings, pitched vocals, fake-sunset synths, no guitars allowed.