Being on the emotionally fragile side, Arab Strap comparisons are inevitable for CFTPA, but that would be over-oversimplifying things. Book-smarts, lovesick mood swings, and calculated damage that's simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, comforting and jarring--all performed with battery-operated keyboards and electronics. Owen Ashworth (the man behind CFTPA) is presented to the world by his PR sheet as your everyday bedroom electronic Mozart, and he looks bloody shy. I actually bet he has it away with loads of girls. From Chicago

Obsessed with live sound manipulation, Magical Beautiful (Chicago, IL) are peerless in their cosmic exploration of dub reggae, motorik & synth pop. Though the music is unique, it feels natural, whether its a ten-minute jam that's been meticulously studio-ed for years or an evening-long set of full group electro-acoustic improvisation

Carpark Records is home to some of the best bands around (Dan Deacon, Ear Pwr, Adventure, and so on), so each and every new signing from the label is worth noting. The latest is Chicago's Light Pollution. The band's full-length debut, Apparitions will be out thanks to the label on June 15.