Gossip

Another week, another Mercury music section that you should totally read. You know what else you should totally read? Our sister paper in Seattle, The Stranger, did a really excellent spoof of Rolling Stone's blockheaded "Women Who Rock" issue, called "Men Who Rock." (Who knew men could rock?) It's hilarious and great. Go check it out.
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Gossip have become darlings of Europe, but they're still Portlanders at heart. Their latest record might be more accessible but it certainly doesn't pull its punches.
LISTEN:

Gossip - "Move in the Right Direction"
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The prolific Sic Alps have shifted their shape a little bit, but they're still challenging themselves. Here's a song that has Portlander Ryan Francesconi's string arrangements. (Strings on a Sic Alps record? Crazy!)
LISTEN:

Sic Alps - "Glyphs"
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THEESatisfaction met at a college open mic, then promptly set sail for the outer reaches of afro-futuristic space.
LISTEN:

THEESatisfaction - "Enchantruss"
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The xx subscribe to the less-is-more philosophy. (We'll subscribe to that, too—as soon as our subscription to Cat Fancy runs out.) The British group kept things sparse for the much anticipated second album.
LISTEN:

The xx - "Angels"
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Plus a freshly raked pile of Up & Coming shows.