Halstead turns back toward Slowdive.

Neil Halstead, the mastermind behind the brilliant, slowcore outfit Slowdive of the '90s has a new band, "Black Hearted Brother. But over the past 15 years or so he's been under the moniker Mojave 3, a band that drifted away from the Slowdive sound with every release. Mojave 3's first few releases were excellent -- and while the past couple aren't terrible -- they're at best indie Beatles impressions. That's why it's great to hear the soaring "spacerock" sounds of Black Hearted Brother. BHB isn't Slowdive but it sounds like a close cousin. Their highlights are "(I Don't Mean to) Wonder" and "This is How it Feels." Welcome back Neil.

Thrice the Pleasure, New: Minks, Washed Out, Porcelain Raft

I'll start with Minks since their song may end up as song of the year, and every frame of my body wants to burst it out. It's called "Doomed and Cool."

Then we have one of my favorite two bands over the past five years, the chillwave outfit led by Earnest Greene, Washed Out, who recently released "Paracosm." Dream away to "It All Feels Right."

Finally, and none the lesser, whose new album Permanent Signal -- like all his releases -- are on this side of brilliant. Check out the awesome "The Way Out."

Kozelek: "You Missed My Heart"

Mark Kozelek's best piece since "Moorestown," lyrically and musically. The live versions are the best, the Beijing version being the finest -- that link is first (the YouTube version was recorded in Melbourne). Also included here is the version Jimmy LaValle from the Album Leaf formally released with Mark. It's different, and in my opinion, not as effective, but definitely singular and worth owning.
http://songs.to/#!pl=9daf9ce94b870dc19813c580714f55f5a3611576

New Ocean Blue!!!

Some things must be documented. It's been over 10 years since The Ocean Blue released a full-length, and the new album, "Ultramarine," doesn't disappoint. It's a hybrid of the luscious classic "Cerulean" and the edgier "See." High School and adolescent college have never sounded so good!