Phantogram

In its bio, co-ed New York duo Phantogram plays up its members’ schooling at Skidmore College, just like rock-tronica duo and remix masters Ratatat. But really, all those four people have in common is an alma mater and a shared predilection for tenderly wrapping up gauzy beats; they do completely different things with the layers on top of them. Shoegaze is an obvious influence, but not in a My Bloody Valentine kind of way: Phantogram props patient and floaty guitar riffs, loping basslines, and sweet vocals up against hazy drum-machine loops. Last year, guitarist Josh Carter and keyboardist Sarah Barthel stepped further into the spotlight with their debut LP, the trippily named Eyelid Movies. Phantogram recently released a single, “Don’t Move,” from its forthcoming EP.

Updated 10/10/2011