Beirut's debut album "Gulag Orkestar" for me was one of the best releases this year. Vibrant, fresh and full of new sounds, Zach Condon returns in January with an EP, "Lon Gisland".
Here is the first track off said EP. Elephant Gun.

• Another artist to keep an out for is Ola Podrida. Formerly from Austin, but now based in Brooklyn, its the brainchild of film composer David Wingo. His music is very quiet but moving. Sourced this news from An Aquarium Drunkard, look out for a self titled album some time next year. Go here to listen to some of the tunes.
• California based Port O'brien have a new EP out named "Nowhere to Run". You can buy it from their website. I can highly recommend it. Here is a track from it. It sounds like Akron/Family with a little Arcade Fire thrown in. MP3: I Woke Up Today.
• I love My Morning Jacket to death. Here is a track from an old classic, The Tennessee Fire I'd like to share with you. MP3: The Bear.
• A lot of lists are popping up everywhere at the moment. If you want to it all in one hit I can highly recommend the enormous list that Largehearted Boy has put together. You can find that here. Also worth checking out are these ones at Refinery and Said the Gramophone. The latter is absolutely worth reading in full, the writing is truly superb.
• Oh yeah, only one day until The New Pornographers at the Gaelic Club, do not miss this one, I can't wait.