Up Dharma Down Essentials

After forming in 2004 in Manila, Filipino indie quartet Up Dharma Down, a.k.a. UDD, set out as an alt rock band, but slowly morphed their sound into something poppier and sleeker. Second album Bipolar saw chiming guitars meet brooding synths, a marker on the road to third record Capacities, which at times took a bold step into pure, electronic pop territory. The deep, soulful voice of vocalist Armi Millare, who sings in English and Tagalog, is at the heart of the band's sound—one that has crossed genres and borders, snaring slots with respected acts like The xx, Bloc Party and Tegan and Sara.