A founding member of prolific San Francisco garage rockers the Fresh & Onlys, Tim Cohen has always found time for various collaborations and solo projects. After putting out several albums and EPs under his own name and his nom de guerre Feller Quentin, Cohen is set to release the second record under his latest alias, Magic Trick. The upcoming Ruler Of The Night was recorded quickly during bouts of inspiration, and we think its carefree, ramshackle sound suits its songs perfectly.

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Although he considered quitting music outright after his ouster from the Shins a few years back, Marty Crandall decided to keep at it by forming a new band with his brother Maury and a few old friends from their hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Naming the outfit Sad Baby Wolf, the Crandall brothers and their cohorts have been quietly releasing singles and covers – our favorite so far is their terrific take on Neutral Milk Hotel’s “Everything Is” – before their debut album hits the ground running later this spring!

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One moment he’s channeling the loose spirit of Paul McCartney’s tuneful early 1970s albums; the next, he’s shredding his vocal cords while bashing through riff-stomping rock. Indeed, it’s tough to pigeonhole Young Hines…and yes, that’s his given name. The Georgia native began playing music as a pre-teen; many years later, a chance encounter with singer-songwriter Brendan Benson through a mutual friend resulted in not only a new musical compatriot, but a deal with Benson’s Readymade Records imprint. Benson himself produced Hines’ fine new album, Give Me My Change, and we’ll hardly be surprised if it turns out to be one of our favorite records of 2012.

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When he’s not manning the keyboards for UK dancefloor favorites La Roux, Mikey Norris busies himself with his own recording project, Fort Romeau. Listening to his solo material – which is definitely rougher and more club-ready than anything by La Roux – we get a strong sense of mysteriousness, and it’s something that makes these songs so versatile. Indeed, whether in the car, at the gym, out for a run, or even at a party, Fort Romeau tracks seem right at home as they worm their way into the foreground of your life. Check the new single “SW9” to hear what all the fuss is about!

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Lansing, Michigan’s finest punk-damaged power trio, Cheap Girls, wear their influences all over their songs’ sleeves – a little Sugar here, some Alkaline Trio there, a smattering of the Hold Steady everywhere. Having worked with Tom Gabel of Against Me! on their third and latest album, the newly released Giant Orange, the group sounds as tight as ever. The instantly catchy “Ruby” is our early favorite on the album, although several others give it a run for its super-melodic money.

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If you recognize Brendan Benson’s voice, it’s likely from hearing the Raconteurs, the band he co-founded with fellow Michigander Jack White in 2005. His solo career, however, dates back to the mid 1990s, so it’s hardly surprising that his new single, “Bad For Me,” sounds so remarkably assured and well-crafted. The song – and its soaring choruses that seem plucked straight from Elton John’s 1970s songbook – is pulled from Benson’s upcoming record, What Kind Of World, due this month on Benson’s own Readymade Records. If the rest of the album is as brilliant as “Bad For Me,” it’ll turn out to be one of our favorites of the year, hands down.

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If Ravens & Chimes‘ baroque pop sounds familiar on first listen, you’re probably a fan of Montreal acts such as Arcade Fire and Stars. Dig deeper, though, and you’ll hear strains of the Decemberists and even Nick Drake on the New York band’s pair of albums – their amazing 2007 debut, Reichenbach Falls, and its follow-up, Holiday Life (out April 3). The new record, several years in the making, is rich in subtle beauty and could likely turn out to be one of our favorites of 2012…an ideal soundtrack to spring days ahead.

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Though he plays guitar in Philadelphia rock outfit Circa Survive, Colin Frangicetto clearly possesses a softer side. The music he creates on his own – recorded and released under the name Psychic Babble – is built around his reserved vocals and reflective songwriting, and we think it’s the ideal soundtrack to the few remaining cold nights of winter ahead. Visit Psychic Babble’s Facebook page to order the new album, My Brother’s Ears / My Sister’s Eyes, as well as for a free download of an earlier EP, My Own Stupid Mouth.

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Considering how we completely fell for Eternal Summers‘ most recent album, Silver, it should come as no surprise how excited we are for the Virginia trio’s upcoming release, The Dawn Of Eternal Summers. As the record’s title implies, it’s a collection of older tunes, starting with the band’s first EP (from 2009) and continuing through various other orphaned-out tracks, including a few choice covers by Guided By Voices and others. “Able To” perfectly captures Nicole Yun’s super-girly vocals and strummed guitar playing – an ideal tune for a sunny spring morning!

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It says a great deal when Austin’s legendary music scene considers you its darling, but such is the case these days for velvet-voiced Erin Ivey. While the singer-songwriter’s past releases have toed a folk-rock line to one degree or another, Ivey recorded her latest album, Broken Gold, with R&B/dub organ trio the Finest Kind, a decision that’s yielded a slinkier sound well-suited for sunny spring days – in Texas or anywhere. Even though Broken Gold just came out in late February, we’re already huge fans…and we think you’ll be as well!

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