Caught this song on the Fader, and I'm completely smitten with it. It's from an anonymous California-based duo named Rhye. They've currently got a 12" out on Innovative Leisure for the track streaming above.
"Open" has a light, electronic groove that reminds me of the synth-heavy art pop of the 80s. The gently sparkling guitars that flow throughout the track call back to the same era of music. The vocal, though, isn't really hitting me with any kind of time period. All it's hitting me with is unadulterated beauty. It's smooth, pretty, soft, and assuring. The strings swelling up underneath it as the track reaches its end are a great touch, too.
Here's to hoping for more material project in 2012!