A number of good releases have come out since The Pulse Staff has been on summer break.

While we could have been chilling at the side of the pool with umbrellas in our drinks, we have been scouring the internets to bring our readers the best in new music.

Dirty Projectors

‘Bitte Orca’

Release Date: 6/9

Record Label: Domino

Rating: A-

At the end of 2009 Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear will most likely be getting the majority of best album of the year nods, but the latest from Dirty Projectors stands up to, if not above those band’s releases.

‘Bitte Orca’ finds frontman Dave Longstreth refining his unique sonic styling down to a remarkable pop record.

The band’s latest jumps from R&B grooves to sparse finger picked guitar to beautiful harmonizing without losing any focus.

Gucci Mane

‘Murder Was the Case’

Release Date: 5/5

Record Label: Big Cat

Rating: B-

Gucci Mane does not want you to listen to this record.

Supposedly the tracks are pre-2007 and never intended for a physical release, but Gucci’s former label (he is now on Warner Bros.) put them out as a new record.

Just go ahead and disregard Gucci’s wishes because this is one of the best rap releases of the year.

Gucci’s flow is as mushmouthed as usual as he does jewelry/trap talk better than the rest.

The big drawing point is the beats here. Gucci would not have his immense buzz right now if not for getting fire beats from Zaytoven and DJ Speedy.

The two’s contributions here are some of the most inspired production work to come out lately and make this collection of songs more than just another Gucci mixtape.

Phoenix

‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’

Release Date: 5/26

Record Label: V2

Rating: B+

With its fourth studio album, Phoenix has continued with its string of consistent electro tinged pop.

The band’s latest has too many hooks to list throughout its bright 10 tracks.

This one arrived just in time for summer, as it is perfect for windows down driving.

Manchester Orchestra

‘Mean Everything to Nothing’

Release Date: 4/21

Record Label: Favorite Gentleman, Canvasback

Rating: A

Manchester Orchestra’s sophomore effort is this listener’s favorite record of the year so far.

Frontman Andy Hull may only be 21 years old but his lyrics are those of a man 20 years his senior. Touching on his battle with religion, love and other life struggles, Hull is the perfect candidate for a therapist’s comfy couch.

The lyrics would be nothing without the sonic crunch behind them. The band alternates between driving rock riffs and balladry without missing a step.

‘Mean Everything to Nothing’ finds a band maturing to a point that will be difficult to surpass in its next outing.

Mos Def

‘The Ecstatic’

Release Date: 6/9

Record Label: Downtown

Rating: B

It is safe to say Mos Def has not really been focusing on his rap career throughout this decade.

After being a part of hip-hop classics ‘Black on Both Sides’ and ‘Blackstar’ Mos caught the acting bug and released ‘The New Danger’.

‘Danger’ is better forgotten as Mos delved into rock and blues to no avail.

On ‘The Ecstatic’ the emcee sounds like he has once again found his passion for the craft.

Mos spits over some great beats from the likes of, Madlib, Chad Hugo and the late J Dilla.

Grizzly Bear

‘Veckatimest’

Release Date: 5/26

Record Label: Warp

Rating: A-

The third album from Brooklyn group Grizzly Bear is the most difficult to peg on this list.

Even though it has been available for months before its release, something new unfolds with each press of play.

The Brooklyn group has created its most interesting and rewarding work yet.

The thing is, the record is definitely interesting at first, with its choral and string arrangements and array of pop structures but only becomes rewarding upon many repeated listens.

Method Man, Redman

‘Blackout! 2’

Release Date: 6/19

Record Label: Def Jam

Rating: C+

Two more emcees who caught the acting bug, just not as harsh as Mos Def.

A full decade after the first ‘Blackout!’ the two rappers sound as inspired as they were on the first go round.

The beats are, for the most part, East Coast pandering, which suit Meth and Red’s flows.

The rhymes are basically all covering weed and sex, and those are the topics the two do best.

The only falter is when the beats start to reach out to modern day fads. Autotune pops up a few times, but nothing to take away from the fun atmosphere created by these two veteran emcees.

Passion Pit

‘Manners’

Release Date: 5/18

Record Label: Frenchkiss

Rating: B

‘Manners’ is flat out fun.

The Cambridge, Mass. band’s infectious energy and shimmering pop hooks make this release a bona-fide summer classic.

Soaring choruses and bopping synthesizers are a constant, creating an easy to swallow batch of pop goodness.

Passion Pit is not attaching to any indie fad or subgenre.

The band just seems concerned with putting out smile inducing, dance floor ready mini-jams.

Donny Goines

‘The Breakfast Club’

Rating: B-

Newcomer emcee Donny Goines has definitely got some people talking with the release of his latest, free, internet-only album, ‘The Breakfast Club’.

The record is kind of based on the John Hughes classic, with the cover and a few references to the film throughout the tracks. Sadly, no Emilio Estevez guest spot here.

Goines, a New York native, does the usual tough/hood talk but can switch up his flow right away and do fun/humorous fare without sacrificing quality.

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