Genre: Dream-pop, shoegaze, indie electronica
For Fans Of: Sally Shapiro, Late Night Alumni, M83, Imogen Heap

I first discovered Caroline Lufkin back in freshman year of college. I’d heard nothing about her, except that she was the sister of J-Pop star Olivia Lukin (who I absolutely adore). Knowing only this and nothing else, I took a dive and checked out her debut album, Murmurs.

As it turns out, the two couldn’t be more different: Olivia has a full bodied voice, while Caroline all but whispers with her high-pitched coos. Olivia’s music is much darker and rock-tinged, while Caroline delivers lush, angelic dream pop. And whereas Olivia is usually depicted in heavy black make-up and gothic fashions, Caroline is pictured looking natural, frolicking amongst flowers and smiling contently. Jessica and Ashlee Simpson? Sort of, anyway.

After hearing the gentle, hazy beauty of songs like “Bicycle” and “Pink & Black,” I was immediately enamored, and Murmurs was put on constant replay–especially as I was drifting off to sleep.

Time’s since passed, and it appears Caroline is finally preparing to release the follow-up to her fantastic 2006 debut.

“Gone” is the first single from Verdugo Hills, due out on January 25.

Keeping true to the sound of her debut, “Gone” is yet another gorgeous dream-pop production. Atop twinkling piano and a simple strumming beat, “Gone” plays like a gorgeous lullaby–even if the underlying message proves much more sorrowful than its warm, sleepy sound implies. “It hurts me now, when you’re so far away / Now that you are gone,” Lufkin sadly croons throughout. (LISTEN/DOWNLOAD)

“Swimmer,” another song from Verdugo Hills which can be downloaded for free at Caroline’s record label website (and is available to stream below), is another treat. Tripping electronica beats join together with warm synthesizers and light strings to envelop Caroline’s lush, layered hums, resulting in one truly mesmerizing love letter.

If “Gone” and “Swimmer” are any indication, it sounds like Verdugo Hills–like Murmurs–will have listeners hopping on a cloud and drifting far, far away.

Verdugo Hills will be released on January 25. (iTunes)

As my Muusers may already know, I’m a massive fan of both Kaskade and his side outfit, Late Night Alumni. Lush dream-pop? Always and forever, please!

Today the band released “It’s Not Happening,” the lead single from their third studio album Haunted, which is due out on February 8. (LISTEN)

While the song’s skittering trip-hop beat is slightly more uptempo than the band’s usual output, the warm, setting sun electronica wisps and hazy blips of electronica recall the classic work of Late Night Alumni. “It’s Not Happening” is an invigorating groove, fit to set the mood at the swankiest of lounges or that trendy French bistro downtown.

Along with the original, the single’s release also comes bundled on iTunes with a remix by Kaskade, which takes the original and adds a jagged, progressive house beat on top. “It’s not happening, it’s not happening,” Becky Jean Williams sugary-sweet voice echoes on repeat above a steadily climbing beat.

But by the time the beat crashes at 3 minutes in, you’ll know quite well: It’s happening, indeed.

“It’s Not Happening” was released on January 11. (iTunes)

In case you missed the post, MuuMuse is giving away TWO COPIES of Late Night Alumni‘s new album, Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, etc.

To get a taste of the new album, check out this free download of one of their album tracks, “Light Reading.”