I’ll admit it, on first listen and in a terrible figity mood, i jumped though the tracks, looking for the instant gratification of a big melody before switching to something else. Despite a few negative reviews from others also too quick to judge, the response to this album has been so astoundingly positive, it’s impossible to dismiss. Written after emerging from a period of social isolation and centered around issues of a man and his dying lover, The Antlers’ album, Hospice, slowly creeps up upon the listener. With delicately constructed chords and small movements, the journey of the album unravels loneliness, isolation and deep catharsis.

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It takes guts to be simple. Overcrowding, overworking and over-thinking are far easier. London-based artist and illustrator James Joyce shows how good color choice, clever concepts, and a keen eye for type can get you work with big clients, such as Wallpaper, Nike and Penguin Books, to name a few.

I can tell how much I like a designer by the the speed at which I bookmark their site. With Rob Lowe (aka Supermundane), it was on the home page. That’s a pretty good sign. Supermundane is a multi-disciplined creative who impressively creates all text himself for every project he does. Prepare yourself to be jealous.

I’ve been searching for the artist of the clever Day Of The Dead Presidents piece since it flashed past me somewhere last year. Luckily Brighton based Illustrator Matt Taylor has just contributed to Graniph, throwing his work back into the spotlight. Along with National Geographic Taylor is influenced by comic books. There’s a definite Paul Pope vibe in some of his more detailed pieces.

Years after his death, Alexander Girard is is experiencing a resurgence — or maybe he’s just getting his rightful recognition. Undoutbly one of the greatest pattern makers, environmental and exhibition designers of the twentieth century, Girard favored abstract and geometric forms, typically put together in bright colours and patterns. Urban Outfitters have just released an Alexander Girard collection, transforming iconic designs into items for the home so that they can be enjoyed on a daily basis.

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Miike Snow is a collaborative effort from three well-established producers — Andrew Wyatt, Christian Karlsson, and Pontus Winnberg. Together they are a powerhouse, producing electro pop classics for huge artists. They penned Britney Spears’, Toxic, for instance. Though we won’t hold that against them. Their first solo album is vastly different. It’s an incredible multi-layered masterpiece, far deeper than any of the chorus pop pieces they’ve written for other artists.

How does a film of models swirling bakery products from under a pane of glass sound? It’s ethereal and intoxicating. If you’re lucky enough to be in New York City, Marilyn Minter’s Green Pink Caviar is displayed in Times Square. For everyone else, you can see the documentary-like film on her website. Enamel on metal stills of the film are also on show at Salon 94 until June 13th.

It’s pretty bold to release a 25 track double CD as your first album, but singer-songwriter Benji Hughes doesn’t care. Themes of love and heartbreak run though the album and his folk-tinged pop draws comparisons to Beck, The Eels and The Magnetic Fields. [portrait by Vanessa Prager]

Andrew Holder is a hidden secret. With an impressive client list and a fantastic website, there isn’t nearly enough press surrounding the Californian-based artist. Using his amazing eye for both colour and form, he creates dramatic illustrations from basic block shapes. The use of gradients, pattern as texture and offbeat colours create real depth.

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The eagerly anticipated collaboration between Spanish footwear label Camper and Bernhard Willhelm debuted on the catwalk for the designer’s Spring 09 collection. Camper Together fuses the references and inspirations from Willhelm latest collection with Campers’ quality production techniques. Most popular is sure to be Willhelms’ take on the gladiator, with sandals constructed of ribbons and piping.

Design collectives can often be a mess, only bound together by a splash page and a few lines of text. Lie-ins and Tigers are without a doubt one of the most unified collectives and one of my favourites. Sam Kerr, Walter Newton and Russell Weekes may all have their own sites and services, but in collaboration, the humour and design intention remains remarkably unified.

Denver-based artist Max Kauffman has been productive, despite the finger numbing winter weather. In the last couple of months, he’s taken part in the successful group show, West vs. Middle (worth leaving the heater for, but be quick, it ends in February) and produced dreamy new watercolor and gouache pieces for his solo show, Ghosts of Industry.

I’ve been admiring the works of Scott Barry for years without ever knowing much about him. The San Francisco-based artist, designer and founder of the Birdstand website has had gallery showings worldwide. He also works with the brilliant production studio, Mekanism, and has directed the 50 mini-shorts for their new website.

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Described as being ‘familiar, yet horribly unique and fresh’, San Francisco-based artist Matthew Palladino creates portraits of American life that are inspired by current media events. The often raw and violent subject matter is diffused by a flat drawing style that draws upon folk references and early mission school artists.

Swedish-born Linn Olofsdotter has not only moved around the world, she’s also shifted her career from graphic design to motion graphics, before working as a senior art director at a Boston advertising agency. Currently Olofsdotter works independently creating artwork for a number of clients — including Levis and Spin Magazine — in the fashion, advertising and editorial fields.

Created in 2003 as a skateboard footwear brand in Los Angeles, Cipher is now an international urban lifestyle brand offering designer products for an emerging group of global hipsters. Now based in Hong Kong, where metropolitan living manifests the dynamic fusion of East and West culture, Cipher is an expression of life in the brave new world. Cipher shoes launched with three different styles, in a range of colours, each with its own story and attitude: Seditionary, Subterranean and Libertine.

I was initially drawn to Belgium-born Christophe Coppen’s jewellery before discovering that he produces two mens and womens collections each year, consisting not only of jewellery, also of but couture pieces and home accessories. With seven interior collections to his name, and a past history as both a theater director and an actor, his work is an expression of his creative brilliance.

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Anyone interested in the importance of limitations on creativity should check out the new publication Vormator: The Elements of Design. Begun two years ago, it challenges artists to create a visual by using a very limited palette of shapes and possibilities. The results of the contest prove that even with a large number of limitations, a surprising variation of outstanding graphics are possible. A brilliant collaborative effort between Zeptonn and Booreiland, the book can be bought at the BIS website.

Having just finished a collaboration with Marchesa, jewellery designer Pamela Love’s gothic-inspired line has been picked up by the likes of Erin Wasson, among other celebrity fans. Referencing both nature and science, Love has created a line that is both rock n’ roll and earthy, with talons, claws, peacocks, rams and bear heads all featuring heavily.

It’s official, I’m back into jewellery after detoxing from the 2001 chandelier earring craze. Aurélie Bidermann used to work at Sotheby’s New York in their Impressionist and Contemporary Art department but has been slowly raising though the ranks as one of the most innovative jewellery designers around today. Her website doesn’t showcase her fantastic Spring 09 pieces. Check out the accessory report on style.com for a good look at some of her new work.