Modern art-pop recommendations

[thedunno]

Although I usually listen more to the complex and 'difficult' side of the musical spectrum I do enjoy some pop music now and then.

Art pop acts like 10CC, XTC and the Nits are long time favorites.

But they are also old and, except for the nits, no longer actively recording.

What are current adventurous pop acts that are worth checking out?

Joost

Ps. i DO consider acts like XTC, 10 CC and the Nits 'progressive music' so thats why I post this in the main board.

[cannygoodlike]

Field Music and Dutch Uncles are a couple of examples that immediately came to mind. There was a thread on Field Music some time ago so it might be worth searching for that.

[mike_hunt]

Deerhoof
Anna Meredith

[zravkapt]

Let's Eat Grandma

[Zeuhlmate]

The swedish jazz-pop-funk trio Dirty Loops ?

[markwoll]

Lætitia Sadier Source Ensemble ( or Stereolab or Monade )
Mew

[Burley Wright]

The Stewart/Gaskin catalog. Job done

[thedunno]

Thanks for the recommendationd. I know a few of them (Anna Meredith and Mew) but will check out the rest.

My tip; French singer Camille. Her album music hole from 2008 is one of my all time favorite artpop albums.

[mnprogger]

not exactly modern per say as their album came out in 1992, but I have been really loving The Spent Poets S/T album. Very much reminds me of XTC and the late 60's Beatles, but with a sound from their era. Jellyfish fans would probably dig this.

The guy behind them, Adam Gates went on to play with of all people, Les Claypool, which isn't a stretch, but still quite different.

[cannygoodlike]

Lætitia Sadier Source Ensemble ( or Stereolab or Monade )
Mew

Yes, all of these.

[aith01]

Definitely check out Field Music and Deerhoof.

There are some other suggestions in this thread that I'm gonna have to check out now.

[Mascodagama]

The eponymous album by April March & Aquaserge is rather lovely.

[Zonefish]

I recommend Dynamo Bliss out of Sweden--also a big fan of General Mojos out of Seattle--but that's more psych pop.

[mnprogger]

endorsement for Mew also from myself.

Also Kimbra, Imogen Heap, Janelle Monae

[interbellum]

not exactly modern per say as their album came out in 1992, but I have been really loving The Spent Poets S/T album. Very much reminds me of XTC and the late 60's Beatles, but with a sound from their era. Jellyfish fans would probably dig this.
The guy behind them, Adam Gates went on to play with of all people, Les Claypool, which isn't a stretch, but still quite different.

Funny. Last week I was thinking about playing this album again. Really loved it. But I couldn't remember the bandname (too many music too little brains), so thanks for the reminder!

[bill g]

Another great one is UK band 'Signals'. Really good stuff, they have a lot of youtube clips.

[miamiscot]

Cate Le Bon
The Pauses
Deerhoof
Gruff Rhys
Dutch Uncles
Anna Calvi
Field Music
British Sea Power
Alt J
Everything Everything
Wye Oak
tUnE-yArDs
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Of Montreal
Midlake
Grandaddy

[Progbear]

Once & Future Band.

[3LockBox]

I'll second Midlake, a vastly under-appreciated band.

The Notwist - Neon Golden
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Flaming Lips (anything)
Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
SuperFurryAnimals (speaking of Gruff Rhys)
Mercury Rev (though it may fall into the psych pop category)

[3LockBox]

I'll also second Of Montreal, though at times I'm frustrated by his ADHD. Kinduva mash-up of '80s Prince and Ziggy-era David Bowie.

[Wil]

I'll add The Lemon Twigs to this list.

[miamiscot]

I'll second Midlake, a vastly under-appreciated band.

The Notwist - Neon Golden
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Flaming Lips (anything)
Grizzly Bear - Yellow House
SuperFurryAnimals (speaking of Gruff Rhys)
Mercury Rev (though it may fall into the psych pop category)

Yes to all the above!!!

[miamiscot]

I'll also second Of Montreal, though at times I'm frustrated by his ADHD. Kinduva mash-up of '80s Prince and Ziggy-era David Bowie.

You never know where Of Montreal will go next. Not always great but always interesting (and occasionally great...)

[3LockBox]

I love Midlake. They make old timey, eclectic sounding albums. Bamnan & Slivercork is like some heretofore strange, unknown children's album, as if Harry Nilsson spent a week writing and recording with Syd Barrett. The Trials of Van Occupanther followed and couldn't be more different from B&S - often referred to as folk-rock, it's more poetic than that, more pastoral, being equal parts whimsy and bittersweet. I never took a shine to The Courage of Others, which is more straightforward folk rock, but not the campfire sing-a-long kind, more like the "I've just attended 3 consecutive music festivals of bands I never heard of" kind.

[Jacob Holm-Lupo]

The Opium Cartel:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3UAzAGRQotU

Plenty:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FfaoN59utmQ