December 15 and the Music Alliance Pact is ready with 2009’s final edition of The World’s Greatest Mixtape, this month welcoming Amsterdam Event Guide, who will be representing the Netherlands in the future, to the ranks. The Danish contribution this time is a MAP exclusive courtesy of housetronica whizz Eumig & Chinon aka Christian Kastbjerg and as usual you can download each song separately or all in a single zip-file by following the link at the very bottom.

ARGENTINA – Zonaindie

Who: Coiffeur (MySpace)
Song: Humedad (Right Click to download)

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Coiffeur is not the name of a band, but the alias of a young folk singer and songwriter from Morón, a city in the greater Buenos Aires area. ‘Humedad’ is one of the finest songs from his third album, ‘El Tonel De Las Danaides’, which was released this year by Estamos Felices (Argentina’s coolest independent label, you should check them out).

AUSTRALIA – Who The Bloody Hell Are They?

Who: Toecutter (MySpace)
Song: Best Party Ever (Jordan Lightyear & Jimmy2sox remix) (Right Click to download)

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‘Best Party Ever’ pretty much sums up Toecutter, a man called David Harris from Milano, New South Wales, who creates dancefloor-friendly progressive house music. Apparently, Toecutter has been sitting on this song since 1984 when he recorded the hook onto a cassette and then spent 25 years deliberating on its merits.

CANADA – I (Heart) Music

Who: The Property Line (MySpace)
Song: The Start (Right Click to download)

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The Property Line have only been around a few months but they’ve been building quite a local following with their brand of psychedelia-tinged country-rock. Their EP (which is available for free download on their site) is pretty strong, and nowhere is it stronger than on ‘The Start’, in which the band infuses a little Sufjan into their sound, with absolutely stunning results.

CHILE – Super 45

Who: Gen (MySpace)
Song: ¿Qué Le Pasó A Mi Rap (Right Click to download)

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‘Es’ is the latest album by Gen (Freddy Olguin). Putting together amazing beats, social critique rhymes and sounds from another dimension, the Chilean rapper has taken the experience of listening to hip hop to a whole new level. An army of producers has helped him develop a very distinctive personality for his record, which can be compared to the sound of Flying Lotus, Subtle or even The RZA, with the result something nothing short of future-like music. It’s refreshing, experimental and highly exciting.

CHINA – Wooozy

Who: Today (www)
Song: Before Ending (Right Click to download)

‘Before Ending’ is taken from Today’s debut album which was released last year. They are searching for hope and happiness by watching everyone’s love life as a third person. You won’t feel lonely after listening to their songs. The band’s new album, ‘Live The Life’, will be out soon.

COLOMBIA – Columbia Urbana

Who: Miss Muffin (MySpace)
Song: Bways ‘n’ Gyals (Right Click to download)

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What happens if you put together Juan Valdez and Bob Marley? Well, the answer to this experiment can be given by Isabella Escobar aka Miss Muffin, the known name for this promising talent of Colombian reggae. Originating from Antioquia, with Caribbean blood, Miss Muffin has released ‘Hear This’, an album that explores in a curious manner the various possibilities of reggae.

DENMARK – ALL SCANDINAVIAN

Who: Eumig & Chinon (MySpace)
Song: This Fang (Right Click to download)

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The last Danish track of 2009 is also a MAP exclusive. Eumig & Chinon aka Christian Kastbjerg has kindly provided this kickass piece of funky housetronica titled ‘This Fang’, which will be on his debut EP coming out sometime next year. You’ve got to groove…

ENGLAND – The Daily Growl

Who: Banjo Or Freakout (MySpace)
Song: Upside Down (Right Click to download)

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I’m bending the rules a little this month because Alessio Natalizia, who trades under the name Banjo Or Freakout, is Italian – but he’s based in London so we can claim him as our own. Just as well because his awesome soundtracks, all wrapped up in a dreamy melodious electronic haze, are worth breaking down national boundaries for.

ESTONIA – Popop

Who: Malcolm Lincoln (MySpace)
Song: Me Iz Loaded With Zoul (Right Click to download)

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Malcolm Lincoln has been active only for about a month so there’s not much of a biography yet. The band is the brainchild of Robin Juhkental, who is joined by Madis Kubu aka Fretless Rämbu for live shows. Five more songs are downloadable here.

FINLAND – Glue

Who: Rex Willer (MySpace)
Song: My Girl (Right Click to download)

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Rex Willer is a five-piece indie band who recorded the excellent ‘Inner Moray Scenes EP’ at their home studio earlier this year. Influenced by My Morning Jacket, Steely Dan and Death Cab For Cutie, they are driven by groovy bass lines and old-school keyboard sounds, without forgetting good guitar licks. Let yourself be caught by the irresistible melody of ‘My Girl’ while Rex Willer finishes some new material due out early next year.

FRANCE – ZikNation

Who: Michael Wookey (MySpace)
Song: Songs About Snow (Right Click to download)

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At the age of 15, Michael Wookey was given a portable pump organ which belonged to his grandfather, who was an organist during World War II. This instrument inspired Michael to write some songs and start collecting obscure instruments. Now 26, he has released three albums and by using a portable studio, he has recorded in various sheds, basements and meat lockers. He now lives in the red light district of Paris. The French describe his music as folk baroque.

GERMANY – Blogpartei

Who: Dobré (MySpace)
Song: The Melody Is A Stranger (Right Click to download)

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Sometimes you realise within minutes what creative potential a musician has, and Dobré comes into that category. Usually found playing eclectic indie-folk with his mates Sepp Kennedy, he just released a “best of” solo record called ‘Tools ‘n’ Toys’ which you can download here. ‘The Melody Is A Stranger’ is a downtempo piece of indie which strongly reminds me of early Peter Gabriel.

GREECE – Mouxlaloulouda

Who: 2-L8 (www)
Song: Excuse Me, But I Just Have To Explode (Part II) (Right Click to download)

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2-L8’s second release, ‘He & She, Angry Enough To Keep Loving In The Dark Ages’ (download it for free here), is a masterpiece of avant-garde music that truly haunts the mind. It’s a passionate experience, leading the listener into excruciating catharsis – you look into the eyes of two lovers and see nothing but painful regret. It’s exhilarating and rare to hear such florid arrangements based on sharp stringed instruments and theremin, trembling, frantically passionate vocals, desperate and bleak lyrics coupled with a sense of hope and all of them laced with uncompromising experimentation, true emotional resonance and weight. A total seductive triumph.

ICELAND – I Love Icelandic Music

Who: Morðingjarnir (MySpace)
Song: Manvisa (Right Click to download)

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Punk-rock trio Morðingjarnir (“The Murderers”) play fast and sharp three-to-four chord songs, often with some dark humour. Atli, Haukur and Helgi are influenced by Dead Kennedys and local punk heroes Fræbbblarnir. ‘Manvisa’ is a song featured on their third album, ‘Flóttinn Mikli’, with guest vocals from Kata of the band Mammút.

INDIA – Indiecision

Who: The Mavyns (www)
Song: Greener Than The Sea (Right Click to download)

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The Mavyns (pronounced “May-wins”) are a rock act from Mumbai. Their music is a particularly refreshing take on the new British post-punk revival. Powered by piano-driven melodies and a charming disposition, the recently formed quartet already look set for greater things. ‘Greener Than The Sea’ makes no bones about its Beatles affectations culminating in a dizzying guitar romp. This live recording from an excellent recent set in the city is a definite sign of a career path that looks to be going only one way – up!

INDONESIA – Deathrockstar

Who: Tika & The Dissidents (MySpace)
Song: Waltz Muram (Right Click to download)

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Known as the diva from the indie scene in Indonesia, Tika has a beautiful voice and smart lyrics with influences ranging from swing and lounge music mashed with eclectic orchestration. I chose her and her band this month because I also want to promote Bahasa Indonesia, the official language of the country.

IRELAND – Nialler9

Who: O Emperor (MySpace)
Song: Po (Right Click to download)

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After an impressive appearance on Irish TV and some blog love from The Torture Garden, Cork band O Emperor are definitely on the “ones to watch” list. Especially, though, after repeated plays of their debut single, ‘Po’, an unassuming number that reveals itself on multiple listens thanks to its snaking ephemeral guitar lick and a vocal that lodges in your brain for 24 hours at a time.

ITALY – Polaroid

Who: The Calorifer Is Very Hot! (www)
Song: Evolution On Stand-By (Right Click to download)

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Italy is well known for its Prime Minister’s various conflicts of interest. For this month’s MAP I decided to act in a diplomatic way and promote a band and record that I helped to release. I could tell you that I believe these guys play some of the best indie-pop in this country. I could tell you that their lo-fi punk attitude to songwriting deserves worldwide attention. I could beg you to go to see them live and promise that you will have fun. But these would be all lies. They’re here just because I put my money in their new album – buy it!

JAPAN – JPOP Lover

Who: Sonic Attack Blaster (MySpace)
Song: 20000Volt (Right Click to download)

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Sonic Attack Blaster, an alternative band from Tokyo’s underground scene, call their music “samurai rock”. Their songs actually have Japanese retro melody lines that give them an early-90s feel. Interesting and really rather weird. Their new album will be released in January.

MEXICO – Red Bull PanameriKa

Who: Rana Santacruz (MySpace)
Song: Cajita De Barro (Right Click to download)

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Rana Santacruz’s richness lies deep in Mexican soil: a buried treasure of plundered Celtic tunes, ranchera-song lamentations and magical-realistic folktales that could have been part of a lost chapter from a rural cuento written by Juan Rulfo. ‘Chicavasco’ is his debut album – a delicate collection of bohemian vignettes permeated by a true sensorial feel of rain, leather and mezcal. Watch him come up the hills and down the slopes as he slowly claims his place among one of our favourite singer-songwriters.

NETHERLANDS – Amsterdam Event Guide

Who: The Very Sexuals (MySpace)
Song: Bowie Eyes (Right Click to download)

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Hallo from Holland! This is our first submission and we’re happy to introduce The Very Sexuals. Starting out as a project between three or four other bands, this act have come together to produce an impressive, emotive and totally free album which has left listeners in dreamy shoegaze heaven since its release earlier this year. Be sure to download ‘Bowie Eyes’ and look out for album number two in 2010.

NEW ZEALAND – Counting The Beat

Who: Signer (MySpace)
Song: +Kicks And Kicks (Right Click to download)

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Bevan Smith is the musician who records as Signer. Smith started out as an indie-guitar fan but gave that up for psychedelic electronica and synths. His latest album, ‘Next We Bring You The Fire’, has a more ambient sound than earlier records, toning down some of the more leftfield noise elements. ‘+Kicks And Kicks’ isn’t that typical of the album – it’s poppier and more rhythmic – but gives a good introduction to Signer’s ability to create music which is accessible but slightly unsettling.

NORWAY – Eardrums

Who: Moddi (MySpace)
Song: A Sense Of Grey (Right Click to download)

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Moddi is a unique artist from the northern parts of Norway who will release his debut album ‘Floriography’ on February 8. His music is poetic and dreamy, but at the same time there is a roughness in his sound. I often think of the rugged northern nature when I listen to his music, which is full of beauty but also darkness and sudden changes.

PERU – SoTB

Who: El Hombre Misterioso (MySpace)
Song: 80 Veces 80 (Right Click to download)

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The four members of El Hombre Misterioso are so versatile they would sound completely different if separated. They are always willing to experiment with rock and their second album, ‘Inside The Corporation’, narrates national historical stories. ‘80 Veces 80’ remembers the worst days of Peruvian history, when the 1980s crisis was worsened by car bombs in a civil war that nearly destroyed the country.

PORTUGAL – Posso Ouvir Um Disco?

Who: Noiserv (MySpace)
Song: Melody Pops (Right Click to download)

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Noiserv is one-man band David Santos, a very talented multi-instrumentalist from Lisbon. His self-released 2008 debut LP, ‘One Hundred Miles From Thoughtlessness’, was highly acclaimed by the mainstream Portuguese press. In May, Noiserv released a single through the Scottish label Autumn Ferment Records.

ROMANIA – Babylon Noise

Who: Byron (MySpace)
Song: King Of Clowns (Right Click to download)

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Releasing their third album this year (‘A Kind Of Alchemy’), alternative rock act Byron has already developed a unique sound, an alchemy of Jeff Buckley’s lyricism and Porcupine Tree’s neo-prog escapism. Dan’s voice goes from soft and warm to almost tormented, all the way spiced with wild-on-the-verge-of-insanity harmonies. The keyboard work shines with brilliant prog-inspired interventions, the guitar-playing is rock-solid (pun intended) and the use of flute on several tracks also works miracles, bringing a certain distinctness to the whole. Did I say Jethro Tull? Well, you get the picture.

SCOTLAND – The Pop Cop

Who: The Kays Lavelle (MySpace)
Song: Aftermath (Right Click to download)

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If any film directors are reading, do yourself a favour and download this song. With its eerily mesmeric piano refrain and increasingly intense, impassioned vocals, ‘Aftermath’ is just begging to be played during an emotionally-wrought scene or at the end of the movie as the credits run. A studio version of ‘Aftermath’ featuring the full band will appear on The Kays Lavelle’s debut album due out early next year.

SINGAPORE – I’m Waking Up To…

Who: For This Cycle (MySpace)
Song: For What It’s Worth (Right Click to download)

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Sixteen-year-old Weiwen Seah has a lot to be proud of. Performing under the persona For This Cycle, he has released a five-track EP this year and is currently recording his full-length album due next year. Weiwen brings a welcome breath of pop goodness in a music scene better known for its underground subculture with shades of Jason Mraz and Dashboard Confessional. In fact, it’s easy to forget that someone so young sings with as much conviction on this month’s selection, ‘For What It’s Worth’.

SOUTH AFRICA – Musical Mover & Shaker!

Who: Van Coke Kartel (MySpace)
Song: Voor Ons Stof Word (Right Click to download)

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Van Coke Kartel is an Afrikaans rock band. Francois Van Coke and Wynand Myburgh were previously in Fokofpolisiekar, who revolutionised Afrikaans rock music by challenging and shifting rigid mindsets. Van Coke Kartel continued to explode onto the SA music scene with sold-out shows and rave reviews. The group has been busy working on their new album, ‘Skop, Skiet En Donner’, which will be out in early 2010. Look out for it, it’s sure to blow your mind.

SOUTH KOREA – Indieful ROK

Who: Oh My Melodies (MySpace)
Song: I Like It All (Right Click to download)

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Oh My Melodies is the US-based solo project of Jiyoung Lee, vocalist of I Love JH. She now offers home-recorded electronic pop with sweet lyrics on the recently released EP ‘So Lazy’, which can be downloaded here. ‘I Like It All’ is a catchy tune with a bit of synth that makes doing the chores seem like the most delightful task.

SWEDEN – Swedesplease

Who: Symfoniorkestern (MySpace)
Song: Tänd Eld På Dig Själv (För Det Du Tror På) (Right Click to download)

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Wow, it was a no-brainer this month. Symfoniorkestern are a uniquely Swedish group. They are like an indie-rock band but with a grab-bag of unusual orchestration, lyrics in Swedish and lovely harmonies. The new EP, ‘Tänd Eld På Dig Själv (För Det Du Tror På)’, is available here for free in its awesome, spellbinding entirety. The band spent a year and a half recording it – I only wish I could somehow give this review the same amount of care.

UNITED STATES – I Guess I’m Floating

Who: Chll Pll (MySpace)
Song: Dick Moves (Right Click to download)

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Sacramento, CA’s Zach Hill has a new project, Chll Pll – a slice of the rather raucous, noisy, blunt force corner of the electro-pop world. ‘Dick Moves’ is from the upcoming debut ‘Aggressively Humble’, out now on Porter Records.

VENEZUELA – Barquisimeto Musical

Who: Fordelucs (MySpace)
Song: No Queda Mas (Right Click to download)

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Alternative rock band Fordelucs have been winning over fans and critics alike and building up a name for themselves in Venezuela’s music scene. Now the boys are about to start a tour that will take them beyond the borders of their country. ‘No Queda Mas’ is taken from their first release, ‘Mundo’.

DOWNLOAD ALL 33 SONGS IN ONE FILE HERE!