Hurray for summer! Of all the seasons, this one simply demands
a soundtrack of fresh tunes to rock the warm weather. This playlist kicks off with a surprise treat
from Beck with other outtakes from sessions by The National and St. Vincent.
Many newer bands are back with solid second albums: De Lux, Oberhofer, and
Motopony. Plus check out songs off debut albums (Avid Dancer, Grounders, Boxed
In, Black Rivers, Jamie xx) and more. Link to listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist.
** EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME THE BANDS WITH TWINS IN THE LINEUP (ANSWER AT
THE END OF THIS POST!)
1. “Dreams” − Beck
Beck has tossed aside that folky hat and is back on the
dance floor with this single from an unnamed album to follow up last year’s
Grammy-winning Morning Phase. The song cranks up immediately with a killer
electric guitar riff, sturdy back beat and echoing vocals that drop in, out,
and around – carousing for over five minutes.
2. “Oh Man the Future” −
De Lux
L.A. synth pop duo De Lux is back with a sophomore album
called Generation. This tune layers vocalist Sean Guerin’s wacky
ramblings (first written on his phone’s notepad) over a fun groove and irresistible
melody in the chorus.
3. “Not Far to Go” –
Avid Dancer
The psych pop of L.A. band Avid Dancer is courtesy of Jacob Summers,
an ex-Marine and world champ at rudimental snare drumming. “Not Far to Go” is off the debut album 1st Bath.
4. “Burning
for No One” – The Cribs
English indie rock band The Cribs has released a sixth album since
2002, For All My Sisters, with the
help of producer Ric Ocasek. This single
flaunts the trio of brothers’ signature taut punk sound.
5. “Sedona”
– Houndmouth
Houndmouth is a folk rock quartet hailing from New Albany, Indiana. This
infectious tune is off the group’s second album since 2011, Little Neon Limelight.
6.
“Daylights Gone” – Motopony
Seattle’s self-proclaimed “hard-soul/glitch-folk” band Motopony has
released a sophomore album, Welcome You. “Daylights Gone” serves as the single with
call out vocals by Daniel Blue to join in the musical jam.
7.
“Sunshine on My Back” – The National
American indie rock band The National was formed in Cincinnati in 1999
and is now based in Brooklyn after six albums. This single from the Trouble Will Find Me (2013) sessions
features Sharon Van Etten backing up singer/lyricist Matt Berninger in his characteristic
low-key approach to vocalizing.
8. “I’m In
Love With My Life” – PHASES
PHASES (formerly Jjamz) is an indie pop band from L.A. with former
Phantom Planet singer Alex Greenwald. His home experiments using an outdated
version of GarageBand provided the foundation for this catchy single from a
future album.
9. “Memory Remains” – Oberhofer
Brooklyn based musician Brad Oberhofer is ready to release his band’s
sophomore album in August, titled Chronovision.
This single illustrates the musical power of full throttle singing over psych
rock leanings.
10. “All
Your Love Is Gone” – Boxed In
British producer Oli Bayston is the mastermind behind the new band
Boxed In, earning praise with this single off a self-titled debut album. The song luxuriates in a multi-layered synth
soundtrack and Bayston’s moody vocals.
11. “Loud
Places” – Jamie xx
Jamie xx is the stage name for Jamie Smith, a music producer, remix
artist, and member of the English indie band the xx. His debut solo album, In Colour, is filled with a deft electronic touch (here with the
help of bandmate Romy Madley Croft on vocals).
12. “The
Ship” – Black Rivers
Brothers Jez and Andy Williams were two-thirds of the English rock band
Doves from 1999 until the band went on hiatus in 2009. They have now joined together in a new
musical project Black Rivers. “The Ship” exhibits the same emotive sweep of song just like the Doves.
13. “Can’t
Keep Checking My Phone” – Unknown Moral Orchestra
Portland based singer, guitarist and songwriter Ruban Nielson focuses
on a downfall of modern love with this single from the band’s third studio
album since 2010, Multi-love. It’s a swanky, ironic composition about
long distance yearnings.
14. “Secret
Friend” – Grounders
Toronto quartet Grounders offers an easy vibe for this single off the
band’s self-titled debut album. The haze
of low-fi production does not mitigate the melodic
pull of the tune.
15. “The
Chase” – Future Islands
Baltimore based synth pop band Future Islands has released a few
singles in between albums (four since 2008). “The Chase” highlights passionate,
gravelly vocals by Samuel T. Herrig, with floating electronic chords, guitar
lines, and drums providing steady musical support.
16.
“Teenage Talk” – St. Vincent
Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent had this single left over from the
sessions for her last Grammy-nominated album (2014’s self titled St. Vincent). It’s
a sweet, nostalgic tune with this multi-talented artist as a more
straightforward storyteller.
17.
“Sagras” − The Tallest Man on Earth
Indie folk Swedish songwriter Kristian Matsson is known for recording
and producing his own material since 2005, but for his fourth album as The
Tallest Man on Earth he utilized a full band for almost every track. “Sagras” shows the resulting lush
instrumental backing, while Matsson’s vocals still command attention.
18. “Home” – Barbarossa
Barbarossa is the musical project of London multi-instrumentalist
James Mathé, enlisting the vocals of Swedish singer José González for this
haunting tune. (They are band mates together in the group Junip). The minimalist electronics of “Home” is from a
third album, Imager.
DID YOU
GUESS THESE THREE BANDS?
1. The
Cribs – Gary & Ryman Jarman
2. The National –
Bryce & Aaron Dessner
3. Black Rivers – Jez
& Andy Williams