The Zolas, Ancient Mars (Light Organ)

The Zolas are a Canadian indie band whose outsider-pop songs evoke a keen sense of disjunction with the modern world. "I want to read your book, but I don't want to break the spine," observes guitarist Zach Gray in "Observatory", while in "Cold Moon", he sings of not wanting "to creep on your [online] profile, but sometimes I still do". Elsewhere, "Escape Artist" deals with the paradoxically comforting nature of pressure and jeopardy, all set to oddly beguiling, oblique melodies sugared by sweet choruses, strongly reminiscent of The Shins.

Download: In Heaven; Knot in My Heart; Observatory