SASCHA FUNKEbuy this
Sascha's newest record, "Mango", is THE best record of 2008! Every single time I've played it in the store, I've sold it. Melodic tech-house (but don't be put off by that if you don't usually listen to electronic music). This record (and Sascha) is fresh sounding, alive, warm, lovely and fun. It moves. Released on Ellen Allien's bpitch control label, straight outta Berlin.

These New Puritans - Beat Pyramidbuy this
Here is proof that the U.K. continues to have one leg up on the good ol' U.S. of A. These New Puritans (not to be confused with Times New Viking) is post-punk that swings like a ball and chain. If you like the first Liars record, Ikara Colt, sharp British accents with repetitive verses and/or jumping up and down on a ramshackle floor until it collapses, dropping you below and leaving your body terribly damaged within the rubble, this might be the record for you. – Travis Ritter

Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lustbuy this
I was one of those people that mildly enjoyed Raveonettes in the past, but never enough for it to really grab me. Frankly, LustLustLust has me bound and gagged - and I’ll probably never scream for mercy when it plays. The lead-footed distortion makes the hair stand on my neck. Or maybe it’s the lyrics and vocals, which sound like some morbid, icy-cool hallucinogenic dream. Critics have repeatedly said all along that the Raveonettes are Jesus & Mary Chain-meets-Spector-girl-groups, and they’re right. But this time, The Raveonettes have the balance totally dialed in. One of the best albums of 2008, fo’ shizz. – Travis Ritter

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colorsbuy this
Cut Copy's glazing dance/pop may be cheesy at times, but it has kept me smiling all the way through. Their surprisingly wonderful 2005 debut, Bright Like Neon, was a perfect introduction to the band, but it was when the Aussie band laid out some fresh tracks for the FabricLive mix series that really hooked me. In Ghost Colors has a little bit of everything for everyone – a bangin' 4/4 beat, glossy synths, dreamy vocals, and all sorts of melody that'll be stuck in your head like that one Electric Light Orchestra song. Sing it with me! – Travis Ritter

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsingbuy this
This is a stunning, hypnotic full-length from a couple boys from Bristol, UK. If you love that gentle abrasive ambience of Belong or Growing (like a warm down comforter that’s as prickly as a cactus), or even the vocal excrement of Black Dice/Wolf Eyes, there is more than enough to love here. The album opens with some twinkling, textured melodies that are layered heavy like bricks. Then there are some cool percussion jams that sound like they were created by some primitive tribe of feral children on LSD. I hope to include Fuck Buttons in my forthcoming book, entitled “Fuck Yeah: Potty Mouth Bands That #$@%ing RULE!” (Also see: Holy Fuck.) – Travis Ritter

Devastations - Yes, Ubuy this
Some years back, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s was raving about Devastations in an interview. So what? This is genuine music that speaks for itself (though having a prominent figure in the indie scene boast about you surely doesn’t hurt things.) Yes, U, their third record, easily take the prize for most melodramatic of 2008. Moody pulsating rock that will never repent for any sins they may have committed, capturing the cold, bloody heart and literate qualities of their fellow-Australian Nick Cave, as well as the disconnected, reclusiveness of Tindersticks. Best or worst for a frigid, dark day, all alone. –Travis Ritter