Karmen shares her many feelings about ‘Love Is Not Pop’, the heartbreak album from Swedish songstress El Perro Del Mar and the soundtrack for Karmen’s winter. Love may not be pop, but we do love El Perro’s pop and so we’re going to give away a few copies of this album to our readers.

2009 is over! And now Audiostraddle has recapped some of the best and worst musical moments, releases and artists of the year – the things that made us laugh, sigh, say “WTF” and wish we could reach into our TV screens so that we could slap Kanye West silly.

In her Audiostraddle debut, contributing writer Corey Crossfield chats to Kiyomi McCloskey, lead singer from the Toronto-based female rock trio Hunter Valentine. Fresh from showcasing at New York’s CMJ, Kiyomi talks about the band’s beginnings, their upcoming EP “Lessons From The Late Night”, and how she writes the songs that can tear your heart apart or help you piece it back together.

Top Ten Desert Island Albums. GO! Intern Emily already did – find out which records she can’t live without, and why – from Death Cab and Tegan and Sara, to Sarah Mclachlan, Okkervil River and more. Plus, the top ten albums the rest of Audiostraddle can’t live without … what are your favorites?

We have SO MANY FEELINGS about Bad Romance! Mostly, we think it’s the greatest music video ever made. Here’s why.

When quirky Australian-born, NY-based singer/songwriter Sia recently returned to her homeland to tour, it was everything Audiostraddle music editor Crystal had hoped for and then so much more. And now, from dating JD Samson to nonsensical tweeting to making sweet music with X-tina: Crystal explains exactly what it is about this goofy singer that she loves so hard.

As the world braces itself for the release of the Twilight Saga: New Moon on November 20, we thought it would be the perfect time to bring to you our feelings about its soundtrack – a broody 15-song compilation from indie rock legends and up-and-comers like Death Cab For Cutie, Thom Yorke, the Killers, Muse, Bon Iver and more.

Kate Cooper, one half of Aussie band ‘An Horse’ chats with Audiostraddle about a new year, a new record and another tour with Tegan and Sara.

Introducing Autostraddle’s new music blog AUDIOSTRADDLE, where we’ll bring you more content more often about bands you love and bands you should know. We debut with Tegan & Sara’s NYC concert review/set-list, The Gossip’s Portland show, and bands to watch including Fan Death, the xx, Lindsey Ray, The Cassette Kids and Don Diablo, Grant Smillie and Ruby Rose.

Crystal and Intern Emily are here to give you a run-down on indie singer/songwriter Rachael Cantu’s second studio album, ‘Far and Wide’. Also! Rachael speaks with Audiostaddle about the pros and cons of being an independent artist, adding to the drama of Private Practice, and how stellar musicians like Tegan Quin came to play on the album.

Your new monthly music round-up from girls who don’t live in America and therefore are not jaded by our incredible freedom. Muse, Beck, The Grates, The Cliks, Daniel Merriweather, Iron & Wine, Passion Pit, Regina Spektor, Paramore , Stars, Pink, The Butterly Effect, The Montreal Jazz Festival, David Bowie, Children Collide, The Vault and Sigur Ros.

Say what you want about this woman — she sings her heart out and dances like a maniac, and her stage show is worth every penny she’s put into it.

We’re totally fascinated with everything Amanda Palmer writes, sings, says, thinks or Twitters, so obvs we sent a spy to see her co-production “With The Needle That Sings In Her Heart” performed by the Lexington High School Drama Club.

Crystal from Australia & Stef’s Beat on the Street team up to bring you this week in music, with lots of secrets too.