A MILLION MILES FROM YOUR DESPERATE DAYS.

Here at Neon Gold, we're no stranger to Kyla La Grange's feminine wiles. Her latest single "Heavy Stone" picks up where the endless promise of early singles "Walk Through Walls" and "Been Better" left off, but it's the sterling AA-side "Lambs" we're here to talk about today. The perfect example of Kyla's illustrious brand of orchestral pop, "Lambs" comes complete with the production luster of a chart hit coupled with the blistering emotion of a love letter, all haunted atmospherics bundled in a tightly knit blanket of uplifting keys and drums. Consider this yet another checkmate for our UK brethren Chess Club Records, with whom La Grange will be putting out "Heavy Stone"/"Lamb" on October 17th.

MP3: "Lambs" - Kyla La Grange [exclusive]

DARK TWISTED FANTASY.

Word on the street has it that there's a new mysterious pop duo in town by the name of Ms Mr, whose phenomenal Ghost City USA EP (get it for free at their Bandcamp here) has been causing stirrings amongst those in the know since they self-released it earlier this summer. On lead track "Bones", ominous piano chords storm in with a light upper register that suggests the tiniest glimmer of hope in an imminent descent into darkness. You fall for Miss Mystery's voice, with its strawberry blonde traces of Florence Welch and Kyla La Grange, and it teases you along, consciously leading you out of your comfort zone. The chorus wields big rolling drums and haunting echoes of the past, drifting through you until you burst through closed doors into an intimate middle eight that acts as the calm before the verse storms back and carries the song to its epic denouement. The tone sets a dangerously vivid backdrop for a Kubrickian thriller and even the production feels oddly cinematic. Yep, whoever this Brooklyn boy-girl duo are, they're clearly a force of nature to be reckoned with. Consider this the Irene we've all been waiting for.

MP3: "Bones" - Ms Mr

WHEN THE SKY WAS RED.

There's no denying it, Kyla La Grange is here to stay. Don't let her manic pixie dream charm fool you, her songs pack serious emotional heat; visceral knockouts with no pulled punches in sight. "Been Better" is her latest offering, coming off like a statement of intent from La Grange and an exciting preview of what we can expect on her forthcoming debut album, all British folk-rock peppered with a little Americana that tastes like a surprisingly delicious combo of Fleetwood Mac and Aerosmith. The track steamrolls along relentlessly as it's supercharged by Kyla's cathartic self-assurance, which literally pours out of her in the song's epic conclusion. And of course it doesn't hurt that her endearingly smoky pipes reek of Natasha Khan with the fierce bite of Cat Power. If you're into living a life without regrets and happen to be in London on July 12, you should probably find your way to the Lexington to do it up large with our friends at Chess Club for the "Been Better" single release party, big styyyyle.

MP3: "Been Better" - Kyla La Grange [exclusive]

DANCE ALL MY FEARS AWAY.

Australian heavy hitters The Holidays are brought to you by the same team who discovered The Temper Trap, and now it's time to be forever indebted to them once more. In these gloomy winter times their unrelenting tropical vibes will have you kicking back on that imaginary beach in your mind in no time. Don't be alarmed if, when listening to their single "Moonlight Hours," you're fully transported to a real life psychedelic-pop version of "Under The Sea" - only instead of a Jamaican lobster on lead vox it's some melodic Aussie bros - although we think that crab jamming on those seashell bongos might still be in the mix there somewhere.

They've made a major splash in their homeland and now have their sights set on the US and beyond, as they make their way over to The America for SXSW and their debut stateside shows this week. If you're ready to get yr sunshine on then come down and see them at Public Assembly this Sunday, where they'll be pushing their wares - alongside Kyla La Grange, High Highs and many more - at a very special pre-SXSW Communion show we're helping out with. Plus, Neon Gold Beat Company will be killing it on the decks well until the moonlight hours and tickets are only $5, so you've really got no excuse not to come on down and dance all your fears away.

MP3: "Moonlight Hours" - The Holidays

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE LOVED BY NO ONE.

Wolf Gang are some of our nearest and dearest Neon Gold alumni and the lovely Kyla La Grange is one of our favorite tips for 2011, so we were thrilled to find them joining forces on this acoustic version of Wolf Gang's latest single, "Dancing With The Devil". The vocal interplay between Wolf Gang frontman Max McElligott and La Grange is perfect, and the track is yet another step in the right direction towards what we fully expect to be one of the year's finest full-length debuts when Wolf Gang's album drops this summer. Both Wolf Gang and Kyla will be playing SXSW this year, with the latter making a stop off in NYC beforehand at Communion's special pre-SXSW show this Sunday and Wolf Gang taking the stage at our unofficial day party blowout on the Saturday in Austin. More details on our day party to come by week's end, but for now feast your ears and eyes on an exclusive video of Max and Kyla's "Dancing With The Devil" duet above and The Shoes' official remix (featuring the brilliant Cocknbullkid) of the single below.

MP3: "Dancing With The Devil" (Shoes Mix ft. Cocknbullkid & Mz. Bratt) - Wolf Gang

MY HEART IS HEAVY.

Having gradually come up through the UK live circuit over the last few years and cut her teeth at London's legendary Communion club nights, Kyla La Grange looks primed to make the jump to the next level in 2011, with debut single "Walk Through Walls" set to become her introduction to the masses in early March. Aesthetically, she's not miles away from our own Mr. Little Jeans, her powerful, ethereal vocals taking center stage on the track over booming drums and rousing guitars. La Grange's voice swoops and soars over the mix, culminating in an uplifting call to arms of "get up! get up! get up!" in the chorus that's equal parts urgent and visceral, firmly establishing "Walls" as a bona fide anthem-in-waiting for the wistful indie set.

MP3: "Walk Through Walls" - Kyla La Grange