Listen: Stealing Sheep - "Shut Eye"

Liverpool psychedelic folk trio Stealing Sheep are set to release their debut album Into The Diamond Sun via Heavenly Recordings on September 3. "Shut Eye", the first single from the album, was released in May on limited 7" vinyl and digital download and you can listen to it below. Into The Diamond Sun certainly sounds promising.

MP3: Coves - "No Ladder"

Coves, from Leamington Spa, UK, recently released the Cast A Shadow EP via Cross Keys Records. "No Ladder" is taken from that very EP, and it's a great little psychedelic folk tune. Listen to/download it below.

Watch: Laser Background - "Weird Conscience" (official video)

A few weeks back I posted Philadelphia-based act Laser Background's "Pinwheels", which is taken from his upcoming self-titled debut EP, and yesterday the video for another track from the EP was released. While "Pinwheels" is a quiet pop song "Weird Conscience" is '90s styled lo-fi indie rock. Watch the video for it below, directed by Anthony Zagarella.

Watch: Blitzen Trapper - "Girl In A Coat" (official video)

Blitzen Trapper released their latest record American Goldwing in early September last year and now, approaching a year later, they've released a video for the beautiful "Girl In A Coat". Watch the video below, directed by Daniel Elkayam.

Watch: Damien Jurado - "Museum Of Flight" (official video)

Damien Jurado's Maraqopa is one of our favourite records of the year so far and yesterday the Seattle-based singer-songwriter released a video for Maraqopa stand-out "Museum Of Flight". The video is directed by Tyler Kalberg and it was recorded during Jurado's recent European tour. Watch it below.

First half of 2012: Albums

Over half of 2012 has passed by now and so far it’s been a very good year for music and there’s no sign of the second half slowing down. Below we’ve eight of the records that we’ve listened to the most this spring (in alphabetic order). This is by no means a complete list or a “best of” even, just a few records we’ve enjoyed that are worthy of attention – and most of them has received a lot of attention. We've also included Spotify-streams for all albums.

Listen: Sun Airway - "Close"

Sun Airway released their debut LP Nocturne Of Exploded Crystal Chandelier in 2010 and on October 2 they'll return with the follow-up Soft Fall via Dead Oceans. Check out the first single "Close" below.

Listen: Cody Chesnutt - "That's Still Mama"

Atlanta, Georgia neo soul musician Cody Chesnutt released his acclaimed debut record The Headphone Masterpiece in 2002 and since then it's been pretty quiet from Chesnutt, with only an EP released in 2010. Now Chesnutt is back with a new record titled Landing On A Hundred scheduled for release in October and a first track has been unveiled. "That's Still Mama" is pure '70s-inspired neo soul bliss. Check it out below.

Full album stream: Erika Spring - Erika Spring EP

Erika Spring's "Hidden" has appeared here on BNF a few times now, including this morning, and it's taken from her solo debut EP Erika Spring which was released yesterday via Cascine. Listen to the excellent five-track EP below - you'll be hard pressed to find better pop music this summer.

Download: Curren$y & Harry Fraud - Cigarette Boats EP

Few musicians are as productive as New Orleans-rapper Curren$y - in fact I don't even know how much new music he's released this year, I can't keep up. Anyway. He's just released a brand new EP titled Cigarette Boats for free (so you may wanna call it an EP-mixtape or something) with production from Brooklyn-producer Harry Fraud. The five-track EP features guest spots from Smoke DZA and Styles P and it's available for streaming below and you can download it over here.

Watch: Erika Spring - "Hidden" (official video)

We've previously covered Erika Spring's brilliant "Hidden", both in its original form and the Jensen Sportag remix, and today a video for the track was unveiled. The video is directed by Celia Rowlson-Hall and you can watch it below.

MP3: Taken By Trees - "Dreams"

Victoria Bergsman, aka Taken By Trees, will be releasing her third studio album Other Worlds via Secretly Canadian on October 2. The first single from the record, "Dreams", was unveiled yesterday and like the rest of the record it features production from Henning Fürst of The Tough Alliance. It's great. Give it a listen below.

Watch: Museum Of Bellas Artes - "Bear Cubs" (official video)

Museum Of Bellas Artes released the 7" single for "Bear Cubs" in mid-June and yesterday the video for the track premiered. The video is directed by the band and it was filmed here in Stockholm. Watch it below.

MP3: Young Unknowns - "Target Practice"

The Brooklyn act Young Unknowns formed earlier this and they're set to release their debut EP You Are A Young Unknown this fall. Ahead of its release they've shared their first single "Target Practice" and it's an extremely catchy, late '80s scented indie pop gem. Check it out below.

MP3: Metz - "Headache"

Toronto garage punk act Metz are the latest signing to Sub Pop who will release their self-titled debut record on October 9 in the US and Europe, and October 15 in the UK. Check out the first track from the LP; "Headache", below.

Watch: Zola Jesus - "Seekir" (official video)

Zola Jesus has revealed a new video for "Seekir" from last year's Conatus LP. The video was directed by Jacqueline Castel from Sacred Bones. Watch it below.

Listen: The Soft Pack - "Saratoga"

The Soft Pack are back with their new record Strapped due on September 25 in the US and October 1 in the UK via Mexican Summer. The San Diego garage act released the first single from the album yesterday; the poppy "Saratoga", and you can stream it below.

Listen: First Aid Kit - "Play With Fire" (The Rolling Stones cover)

As part of BBC6's celebration of The Rolling Stones this week a new live session cover of The Rolling Stones' b-side "Play With Fire" by First Aid Kit was unveiled today. The track premiered on Lauren Laverne's show this morning before having its online premiere over at The Line Of Best Fit. Check it out below.

MP3: Tame Impala - "Apocalypse Dreams"

Tame Impala will release their second LP Lonerism in October via Modular and yesterday the first track from the album; the almost six minutes long "Apocalypse Dreams", was unveiled. The first single from the album; "Elephant", will be released later in July. Check out "Apocalypse Dreams" below.

Listen: Elliphant - "Cian't Hear It"

Elliphant's already dropped two impressive singles this year in "In The Jungle" and "TeKKno Scene" and on Friday she released her third; "Cian't Hear It". Check it out below.