If you’ve been around the Music Emissions halls for a while you may remember mschmitt. Well he’s moved on to a new gig as Music Director for the online radio station Future Perfect Radio. We caught up with him to find out what’s hot right now in his mind. Here are his personal recommendations:

1. Loney, Dear – Dear John

Label: Polyvinyl Release Date: 1/27/09

“Airport Surroundings” grabs you right on the get-go in this amazing electronica-tinged album. Emil Svanangen uses his unique vocals almost as you would a synthesizer on some tracks. Dear John is one of those albums that fit any mood you’re in: there’s bouncy, upbeat tracks, low and depressed ones and everything in the middle.

2. Alela Diane – To Be Still

Label: Rough Trade Release Date: 2/17/09

Alela Diane is a masterful singer/songwriter on the west coast. Her debut LP The Pirate’s Gospel was a delicious combination of lo-fi folk with an out-west, frontier feeling. Diane’s production quality has increased on To Be Still, leaving behind those lo-fi days but showing that her songwriting ability has grown exponentially.

3.The Decemberists – Hazards of Love

Label: Capitol Release Date: 3/17/09

I first got this album on vinyl and couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out when one song began and another ended. It’s the best concept record I’ve ever heard and I’m still trying to figure out the storyline. Includes the enchanting folk-influenced indie rock you’ve come to expect from The Decemberists, with some new surprising elements thrown in to the mix.

4. Silversun Pickups – Swoon

Label: Dangerbird Release Date: 4/14/09

L.A.’s Silversun Pickups’ debut Carnavas got so many plays on my iPod I must have worn out the mp3 files themselves. I was at first very disappointed by Swoon, so much of what made Carnavas great seemed to be missing. But after a few more plays, I’ve fallen in love again. Swoon is different, I don’t know if it’s better yet, but this is one not to give up on easily.

5. Passion Pit – Manners

Label: Frenchkiss Records Release Date: 5/19/09

I think Passion Pit’s Manners might be in contention for my top album of the year. Not because I’m especially in love with the music – though I can’t get enough of Michael Angelakos’ dance pop melodies – but because there is not a bad song on this entire record. It’s simply flawless from start to finish, engaging and exciting.