What's up with indie rock

Despite the recent chilly weather, spring is coming and the release schedule is rising from its winter slumber. Nationally, we've had albums drop from St. Vincent, Beck, the Notwist, and Wild Beasts, and locally, exciting news of upcoming releases is pouring in.

First up is Future Islands' long-awaited followup to 2011's On the Water. The new album sees the crooning New Wavers move from Baltimore boosters Thrill Jockey to the venerable 4AD, home to some of the biggest names in the indie world. Made on their own dime with producer Chris Coady (Beach House, Grizzly Bear, TV on the Radio), the new album, Singles, is out March 25.

Next up is Wye Oak and their infamously guitar-less record Shriek, out April 29 on Merge Records. The band has already released a taste of what's to come with "The Tower." The track sounds pretty much like what you'd get if you put Flock of Dimes, Dungeonesse, and Wye Oak in a blender. While we are big fans of Jenn Wasner's guitar heroics, we are loving how her switch to bass allows Andy Stack's colorful synths to shine.

Raindeer announced they've finished their new album, titled You Look Smashing. The band has put up the first single, "Blasting!," on their bandcamp site. The song's loungy dream pop could've slotted right in on last year's excellent Tattoo. The band is shopping the album around, hoping for an April or May release. Catch the quirky poppers April 5 at the Windup Space.

Also from the department of new-album-no-release-date comes Ed Schrader's Music Beat (pictured). Their sophomore effort will come out on Infinity Cat Recordings. We can only hope it's sooner rather than later. Check out the post-punk weirdos at the Crown on March 22.