Something of a cult item this side of the Atlantic, Boston's Gem Club has spent the past couple of years getting acquainted with the music supervisors of US TV shows, which is why their songs have soundtracked the drama in such successful series as Parenthood, Revenge and Private Practice (as well as the UK's Skins). Parking this information aside, what we have here is a trio of remarkably talented core musicians (Christopher Barnes, Kristen Drymala, Ieva Berberian) producing the kind of ambient chamber pop that seems tailor-made for getting under the skin without all the accompanying irritation. Part artfully odd, part daytime radio-friendly, Gem Club bridge that definable gap between Sigur Rós and (a random example) Coldplay. That they veer more towards the former than the latter is only important if it bothers you. iamgemclub.com
Download: Nowhere, Idea for Strings, Braid