various artists

Slumberland's popular Searching For The Now split single series continues to fire on all cylinders with this excellent UK pairing.

The School - "And Suddenly"

On the a-side we find Welsh pop mavens The School, with a smashing cover of late Left Banke tune "And Suddenly." Taking their cues from Brian Wilson, sunshine pop and classic Phil Spector girl-group sounds, The School join Camera Obscura, Saturday Looks Good To Me and Lucky Soul in bringing 60s references bang up-to-date, showing respect to the past while staying very much in the present. Their two previous EPs on Elefant have garnered great press from Pitchfork, Under The Radar and The Village Voice, and we expect you'll be hearing a great deal about The School in 2009. "And Suddenly" is exclusive to this 7".

George Washington Brown - "End Of The..." & "Twin Towers"

George Washington Brown is the latest nom de rock of Pete Gofton, who got his start in teenage sensations Kenickie and has gone on since to record an album as J Xaverre and most recently an excellent album as George Washington Brown for the Static Caravan imprint. Having worked with everyone from PENS to Los Campesinos to Field Music, Gofton has a deep and broad understanding of pop and an unfailing ear for a great tune. His album On The Night Plain is a brilliant slice of pastoral, psychedelic power-pop that could sit snugly in any collection next to Super Furry Animals or your favorite Elephant 6 record. The two songs on this split single are brand new, exclusive and perfect examples of Gofton's quirky pop vision, full of production twists and surprising turns of melody. Look for more George Washington Brown soon.