Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2025

This time around, I was able to create this Romantic Songs Playlist 2025 from heartfelt tunes released in the past year. Give a listen on Spotify here .

As always, you can visit my posts from the past for more inspiration: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017,2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012. 

1. "Angels" – Mondo Cozmo
2. "Still Can't Believe" – Dr. Dog

3. "April" – Local Natives

4. "Colorful State" – Kashi Bashi

5. "In Front of Me Now" – Nada Surf

6. "Maybe We're Alright" – Guster

7. "Bright Spot II" – Blue Canopy, A Beacon School

8. "Duet" – Jon Hopkins

9. "Alone" – Maps

10. "Long as I'm Not the One" – Grandaddy

11. "Docket" – Blondshell, Bully

12. "One of a Kind" – The Heavy Heavy

13. "All a Mystery" – Phantogram

14. "Say You Love Me" – Wilco

15. "Dreamweavers" – trentmøller, DiSA

16. "Let Your Heart Fill Up" – Jerome Blazé

17. "Come Find Me" – Caribou

Summer 2024 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "The Hardest Part" – Washed Out

2. "Strange World" – La Luz

3. "Angels" – Mondo Cozmo

4. "Still Can't Believe" – Dr. Dog

5. "April" – Local Natives

6. "Hello" – Girl on Girl

7. "Colorful State" – Kishi Bashi

8. "Make it Happen" – Wonder 45

9. "In Front of Me Now" – Nada Surf

10. "Apparition" – Quivers

11. "Maybe We're Alright" – Guster

12. "So Lo" – Pond

13. "Docket" – Blondshell, Bully

14. "Nearly Daffodils" – English Teacher

15. "Forever" – Hovvdy

16. "Bright Spot" – Blue Canopy, A Beacon School

17. "Duet" – Jon Hopkins

Fall 2020 New Music Playlist

 Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "Music Makes Me High" – The Avalanches

2. "I Just Want to Dance" – SAULT

3. "Be a Rebel" – New Order

4. "Guess Again" – Jeff Tweedy

5. "Moonlight" – Future Islands

6. "The Great Divide" – The Shins

7. "Cut it Loose" – Maxband

8. "Monolithic" – Cults

9. "Rainzow" – STRFKR

10. "Midnight Moment" – Woods

11. "Emily" – Declan McKenna

12. "One More Second" – Matt Berninger

13. "Aguas Frescas" – LNZNDRF

14. "Stories Going 'Round" – Nada Surf

15. "Future Lover" – Local Natives

16. "Apes & Children" – Lane 8

Winter 2020 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "Come Get Me" – Nada Surf

2. "Against the Day" – Wolf Parade

3. "Don't Waste My Time" – SAULT

4. "You and I" – Caribou

5. "Lost Day" – Other Lives

6. "In the Afternoon" – MGMT

7. "Ice Cream Party" – Modest Mouse

8. "The Main Thing" – Real Estate

9. "Posthumous Forgiveness" – Tame Impala

10. "Stress" – Tycho

11. "Non-Linear Time vs. Misshapen Space" – Say Hi

12. "Deleters" – Holy Fuck, Angus Andrew

13. "Losing Control" – Poolside

14. "Be So Blue" – Deserta

15. "Baby" – Four Tet

16. "Scene Suspended" – Jon Hopkins

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2020

Filled ALMOST completely with songs from the past year or so! (Can you spot the slightly older song?)  Give a  listen to my Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2020 on Spotify here.  

For further inspiration, visit my posts from past years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

1. "So Much Love" – Nada Surf

2. "Take Care" – Beach House
3. "Take Care" – SASAMI
4. "Autofocus" – Vacationer
5. "You That Carries Me" – Ivan & Alyosha
6. "Wait for Love" – Strand of Oaks
7. "Love is Everywhere (Beware)" – Wilco
8. "Just Reflecting" – Maps

9. "When am I Gonna Lose You – Local Natives
10. "Lava" – Still Woozy
11. "Hope" – (Sandy) Alex G
12. "All I Want" – Broken Social Scene
13. "All I Want" – Matt Berninger, Stephan Altman, Julien Baker
14. You're Not Always on My Mind" – Quivers
15. "Heartbreak" – Unloved
16. "Hyperlife" – Beck
17. "Awake" – Tourist
18. "Katherine" – RAC
19. "Circular as Our Way" – Hammock

Winter 2018 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist (except "Chico's Radical Decade" by the The Go! Team).

1. "Everybody's Coming to My House" – David Byrne
2. "Fluoresecent Light" – Stars
3. "Severed" – The Decemberists
4. "Gotta Run" – Lea Porcelain
5. "Listening In" – Dr. Dog
6. "Hand It Over" – MGMT
7. "Music Snob" – De Lux
8. "Taste" – Rhye
9. "Echo" – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
10. "Sunday" – Geowulf
11. "Chico's Radical Decade" – The Go! Team
12. "Can't Stop My Dreaming (of You) – Jono Ma & Dreems
13. "Can't Get It Out" – Nada Surf
14. "The One to Wait" – CCFX
15. "The Deconstruction" – Eels
16. "Friday Morning" – Khruangbin

Winter 2017 New Music Playlist

Here’s a playlist to get caught up on recent releases as well as others on the horizon. Check out new tunes from The Shins, Elbow, the xx, and Animal Collective along with up and coming bands like Day Wave and the latest collab of artists called LIV. There are also tunes from new musical projects by Michael Nau, Peter Silberman and Joshua Ostrander plus a cover by Nada Surf. Listen up on Spotify or as a YouTubePlaylist.

1. “Name For You” – The Shins

Songwriter James Mercer confidently returns to earlier Shins form with this swinging single “Name for You” appearing on an upcoming album, Heartworms.  This is the fifth album for the Albuquerque band since 1996.

2. “Here in Spirit” – Jim James

“Here in Spirit” features the plaintive vocal stylings of Jim James, the primary songwriter of Louisville band My Morning Jacket.  The song is off his second solo album since 2010, Eternally Even.

3. “Wasting Time” – Day Wave

Day Wave is the musical project of Jackson Phillips in Oakland, California, enlisting touring musicians as needed. “Wasting Time” is a lush indie pop tune off his second EP, Headcase.

4. “Follow the Leader” – Foxygen

“Follow the Leader” is another overblown but irresistible song by L.A. band Foxygen, created by Sam France and Jonathan Rado in 2005. It serves as the single for their third album of psych pop, Hang.

5. “On Hold” – the xx

London band the xx is back with a third album since 2009. It veers away from what The New York Times once called "miserabilist," thanks to band member/producer Jamie xx’s infusion of beats to up the mood. Co-members Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft coo the lyrics back and forth in this single “On Hold” from the new release Trio.

6. “Noise Pollution (featuring Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Zoe Manville)” – Portugal. The Man.

Portland based band Portugal. The Man. is ready with its eighth album since 2004, Gloomin + Doomin, with Mike D of the Beastie Boys producing.  This explains the new sound for the group, as a gritty dance groove permeates the single “Noise Pollution.”

7. “Sweep Me Off My Feet” – Pond

Australian psych rock band Pond, a collaborative music project, shares members with fellow Aussies Tame Impala. This stand alone single, “Sweep Me Off My Feet,” begins in a buzz of synths to expand into a meandering sonic journey of wavering melodies over a percussive landline.

8. “Shine” – Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo (a.k.a. Joshua Ostrander) is an L.A. based musician, visual artist and human rights activist who has released a series of songs. This cathartic single “Shine” imagines a worry-free world, complete with an uplifting sing along chorus.

9. “Dream Awake” – liv

Liv is the Swedish word for life, and this supergroup of musicians from the country (Lykke Li, Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, and Pontus Winnberg, along with Andrew Wyatt, of Miike Snow) churn out a grand vision for pop songs like “Dream Awake.” Li has described the vibe as a lovechild of ABBA and Fleetwood Mac.

10. “Love Survive” – Michael Nau

Guitarist Michael Nau, formerly of the Cumberland, Maryland, indie folk outfit Cotton Jones, has embarked on a new solo project writing songs like the lilting “Love Survive.”

11. “One Eye Open” – Trentemøller

Trentemøller is the musical moniker of Danish producer and multi-instrumentalist Anders Trentmøller, based in Copenhagen. “One Eye Open” showcases the haunting vocals of singer Marie Fisker – the first track Trentemøller worked on for the fourth album since 2006, Fixion.

12. “Mountain Game” – Animal Collective

Animal Collective was formed in Baltimore as an experimental pop quartet that would eagerly crisscross genres and bend many rules. After ten albums since 2003, the atmospheric “Mountain Game” was released as a single after somehow being rejected for a video game.

13. “Laura Lee” ­– The Besnard Lakes

Montreal’s six-piece The Besnard Lakes recently released its sixth studio album since 2003, when it was formed by the husband and wife musical team of Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. “Laura Lee” is a prime example of the ambitious sound of the band’s expansive songs.

14. “Magnificent (She Says)” – Elbow

English alt rock band Elbow will soon release its seventh studio album since 1997, Little Fiction. The elegant comfort of Guy Garvey’s vocals return in full force for the single “Magnificent (She Says).”

15. “Distant Shore” – Porcelain Raft

NYC- based Italian musician and producer Mauro Remiddi is releasing the third album of his solo career, Microclimate. The gauzy sonic structure of “Distant Shore” is emblematic of Remiddi’s alluring compositions.

16. “Where Is My Mind” ­– Nada Surf

Nada Surf singer Matthew Caws brings an enigmatic yet casual take on this cover of The Pixie’s “Where Is My Mind,” which was recently snagged to soundtrack a Samsung ad. The NYC indie band has released eight albums since 1992.

17. “Slips Away” – Peter Silberman
Peter Silberman of The Antlers has a new solo project with a debut album called Impermanence. He has brought the same restraint to songwriting after dealing with severe hearing problems, displayed here in the single "Slips Away."

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2016

It's that time again... I've noticed that people have been searching for a Romantic Songs Playlist by clicking on my prior posts from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 so I better get to this year's line up. As always, it's a mix of old and new songs that deal with the many facets of being in love. I can't help but indulge in some tunes from the 80s, when I was young and in love and NYC served as our playground for late nights with a soundtrack heavy on the synths. Other picks are newer creations of all genres and many moods across the musical spectrum. Link to listen on Spotify here, enjoy!

1. "Space Age Love Song" - A Flock of Seagulls
2. "Temptation" - New Order
3. "Snowden" - Doves
4. "When U Love Somebody" - Fruit Bats
5. "Always Love" - Nada Surf
6. "So Now You Know" - The Horrors
7. "About Today" - The National
8. "Finish What I Started" - Will Butler
9. "If You Leave" - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
10. "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" - Soft Cell
11. "It's My Life" - Talk Talk
12. "We've Been Had" - The Walkmen
13. "Lips Like Sugar" - Echo And The Bunnymen
14. "Don't Lose Your Love" - Ivan & Alyosha
15. "I Don't Want to Change You" - Damien Rice
16. "Going To A Town" - Rufus Wainwright

Winter 2016 New Music Playlist

With the East Coast bracing for a major snowstorm, it’s handy to have my next playlist ready for consumption. New releases by Cage the Elephant, GIVERS, and The Decemberists are ready to heat things up while a stand-alone single by The Dandy Warhols, “You Are Killing Me,” fits the mood as things grind to a halt. There are also teaser songs from albums dropping soon: Chairlift, School of Seven Bells, Ra Ra Riot, Animal Collective, Pete Yorn and more. Plus check out new bands Knox Hamilton and Sheer along with a pick off the official debut from Car Seat Headrest. Listen via Spotify at this link or as a YouTube playlist. 

**ANOTHER CHANCE FOR EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME EVERY BAND WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE LINEUP (ANSWER AT THE END OF THIS POST!) 

1. “Badvertise” – Dr. Dog

Philly area band Dr. Dog recently collaborated with Pig Iron Theatre for a performance, Swamp Is On, which included this energetic frenzy of a song. The band is also revisiting songs from their debut back in 2001, a cassette release known as Psychedelic Swamp transformed into an official studio album.

2. “Heart Is Full” – Miike Snow

Swedish/American indie synthpop band Miike Snow dropped this single from an upcoming third album, III. The group was formed in 2009 by producing team Bloodshy & Avant with singer Andrew Wyatt, carving out pop hooks and expertly crafted tunes.

3. “Bent (Roi’s Song)” – DIIV

Zachary Cole Smith’s band is ready with a sophomore album, Is the Is Are, since 2012’s debut, Oshlin. The Brooklyn shoegazers released the single “Bent (Roi’s Song)” in a hazy dreamscape that is their signature sound.

4. “Water” – Ra Ra Riot & Rostam

Ra Ra Riot is an indie rock band formed in 2006 at Syracuse University, now based in Brooklyn. The group collaborated with Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij for the songwriting and production of this single from the upcoming fourth album, Need Your Light.

5. “Romeo” – Chairlift

Synthpop duo Chairlift is releasing a third album since 2005, entitled Moth. With a pulsing beat, “Romeo” is off to the races with layers of Caroline Polachek’s enchanting vocals.

6. “Hightimes” – The Big Pink

The Big Pink is an electronic rock band from London, a quartet of multi-instrumentalists that has been creating music since 2009. “Hightimes” is the anthemic opening track from the upcoming EP Empire Underground.

7. “You Are Killing Me” – The Dandy Warhols

Portland rockers The Dandy Warhols released this single featuring the band’s signature chug of electric guitar.  With singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s deadpan delivery, irony ensues once again.

8. “Record High, Record Low” – GIVERS

Tiffany Lamson’s golden vocals return for this swinging tune off GIVERS’ sophomore album, New Kingdom. The band was formed in Lafayette, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina displaced Lamson and guitarist Taylor Guarisco from their apartment in New Orleans; they continue their musical path together.

9. “Why Would I Now?” – The Decemberists

This fall The Decemberists released an EP Florasongs, after seven albums since 2000. The earnest vocal stylings of Colin Meloy convey the obvious retorts in answer to the question, “Why Would I Now?”

10. “Summer Was a Day” – Pete Yorn

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and drummer Pete Yorn will release his seventh studio album since 2000 in March, entitled Arranging Time. He is returning to solo work after performing as The Olms with J.D. King, and this single finds his artistic introspection intact as the poetic visions pour forth.

11. “Confusion” – School of Seven Bells

NYC’s synthpop band School of Seven Bells was creating music during a dark time—founding member Benjamin Curtis was being treating for lymphoma; he died in 2013 despite a positive prognosis. The resulting material is part of a fourth and final album, SVIIB (as the name of the band is often abbreviated). The heartbreakingly sweet single “Confusion” is a tribute to the strength of all involved.

12. “Work It Out” – Knox Hamilton

Knox Hamilton is a quintet from Little Rock, Arkansas, influenced by 70s rock as evident in the debut EP How’s Your Mind. The melodic vocals carry the listener along for a fun ride throughout this optimistic tune of reconciliation.

13. “Trouble” – Cage the Elephant

Cage the Elephant recently relocated from Kentucky to Nashville where its fourth album, Tell Me I’m Pretty, was produced by Dan Auerbach (Black Keys, The Arcs). Matt Schultz’s gritty vocals provide the perfect conduit for their blend of pop and punk rock.

14. “FloriDada” – Animal Collective

Animal Collective is an experimental pop quartet originally formed in Baltimore in 1999. This wacky opening track for its tenth album, Painting With, is actually inspired by the detractors of state of Florida, which the band says gives the area a certain charm.

15. “Something Soon” – Car Seat Headrest

Car Seat Headrest is an indie rock quartet based in Seattle, an outgrowth of Will Toledo’s musical project in his native state of Virginia. He has produced fourteen albums since 2010, but debut album Teens of Style contains older songs like “Something Soon” reworked by a full band as well as new material.

16. “Girl from Conejo Valley” – M. Ward

Portland’s singer-songwriter and guitarist M. Ward is also a member of She & Him plus Monsters of Folk. His ninth solo album since 1999, More Rain, finds tuneful ballads such as the single “Girl from Conejo Valley.”

17. “Believe Your Mine” – Nada Surf

NYC alt quartet Nada Surf also has a ninth album coming out soon, titled You Know Who You Are.  The warm vocals of Matthew Caws have carried this band along into a blissfully mellow territory since 1992.

18. “Monochrome” – Sheer
Sheer is a L.A. four-piece with a fondness for 90s buzzy production since forming in 2010. “Monochrome” is the opening track for the band’s debut album, Uneasy, and as the first song the band ever wrote together, it immediately finds the sweet spot of collaboration.

DID YOU GUESS THREE BANDS?

1. CAGE THE ELEPHANT – BROTHERS Matt & Brad Schultz

2. KNOX HAMILTON – BROTHERS Boots & Cobo Copeland

3. SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS – TWIN SISTERS Alejandra & Claudia Deheza

Here's to 2016 -- New Releases & LCD Soundsystem News (Plus LCD Soundsystem Faves Playlist)

The best Christmas present I received this year came in the form of a song, "Christmas Will Break Your Heart," a self-described depressing little ditty from James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem (one of my favorite bands ever). Supposedly he'd been singing it to himself for the past eight years, but it landed this year as I struggled through the holidays without my parents who have left the earth within a year of each other. In the vein of "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down" which gave rise to the social media term NYILYBYBMD, Murphy's ballad with its emotional build perfectly captured my mood this season.

So here we are in the new year with announcements that not only is LCD headlining Coachella 2016, but heading out on tour in support of a new album after calling it quits four years ago. I was lucky enough to attend the first night of the final week of shows in March of 2011. Our video of the opening song "Dance Yrself Clean" at Terminal 5 still gives me chills to revisit and witness how quickly things kicked into high gear. (That video remains the most popular upload on the NMMatterscorp channel with over 12,500 views - another interesting video is the Red Bull Academy interview with James Murphy explaining why he was disbanding the group!) I'll also include our video for "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House," the first tune I heard by the band and making me a fan forever -- it certainly did not disappoint, amped up in the lineup with the requisite crowd surfing. I'm thrilled by the prospect of the new album, but I'm not sure I want to mess with the perfection of this concert experience. However others that didn't get to see LCD live will now get the chance, as it seems they have become more widely known by their absence. Or perhaps its the music fans' hearts growing fonder, my love for the band has only grown that's for sure. Head over to Spotify and take a listen to my LCD Soundsystem Faves playlist, and there's also plenty of new music I'm looking forward to in the months ahead. See my list at the end of this post.

UPCOMING NEW MUSIC RELEASES IN 2016:
January 22 - Chairlift, Moth (Columbia)January 22 - Eleanor Friedberger, New View (Frenchkiss)

February 5 - DIIV, Is the Is Are, (Captured Tracks)

February 12 - School of Seven Bells, SVIIB (Vagrant)

February 12 - James Supercave, Better Strange (Fairfax Recordings)

February 19 - Animal Collective, Painting With (Domino)

February 19 - Ra Ra Riot, Need Your Light (Barsuk) 

February 19 - Choir of Young Believers, Grasque (Ghostly International)

February 19 - Wild Nothing, Life of Pause (Captured Tracks/Bella Union)

March 4 - Nada Surf, You Know Who You Are (Barsuk)

March 4 - Miike Snow, III (Jackalope/Atlantic)

March 4 - M. Ward, More Rain (Merge)

TBA - M83, Gorillaz, Thee Oh Sees & Beck, LCD Soundsystem!!!

New Chairlift and Nada Surf Releases on KCRW's "Album Preview"

L.A. station KCRW's "Album Preview" program has two worthy offerings from two Brooklyn bands, Chairlift and Nada Surf.  Indeed both groups have tracks on the iTunes Brooklyn Essentials.

Chairlift's Something is the sophomore album from this synth pop duo, Caroline Polacheck (singer/keyboardist) and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wimberly.  They worked with producer Dan Carey who has strengthened the pop vision Lilly Allen and La Roux. A  single, "Amanaemonesia," heralded the new release last summer with its catchy vibe and quirky vocals (see video below).  At first listen, the other songs do not disappoint -- from the lead off sonic blasts of "Sidewalk Safari" to the slow simmer of the closer, "Guilty As Charged."  It's a collection to revisit many times just to take in the many levels of contemporary music making.

In comparison, Nada Surf is the consummate veteran band. "The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy" ranks number seven in their two-decade old career.  The trio has remained easily accessible in the best possible way, with a sound of hope beyond hope.  Singer/guitarist Matthew Caws' velvety vocals drift over the group's laid back approach to music, with Daniel Lorca on bass/vocals and Ira Elliot on drums/vocals.  Their single, "When We Were Young," is featured on my Winter 2012 Playlist (available as a free download on the band's website), a wistful look at nostalgia.  The opener here is the title track, a romping song that asks "where did we go wrong?"  The band continues on a familiar road on solid ground which should delight their many fans.

Listen to each preview until January 24th, when the music will be available for purchase, from links on KCRW's website here.

Winter 2012 New Music Playlist

Here’s to the New Year and the new music to be investigated as always.  Many of the picks for this playlist were found by investigating annual lists of top songs from 2011, revisiting bands if needed.  The end of the year brought new releases from The Black Keys and Florence + the Machine to explore along with many other diverse groups on the scene. Link to listen here, enjoy! 

1. “Don’t Move” -- Phantogram

2. “16 Years” – Phantogram

Phantogram hail from upstate New York, a band consisting of two friends since middle school in Saratoga Springs.  Keyboardist Sarah Barthel’s vocals flow over electronic beats and guitar parts by Josh Carter. The band name, referring to psychedelic optical illusions, could also allude to the rich, multi-layered sound by this indie pop duo.  These songs are off their EP, Nightlife.

3. “Black Hills” – Gardens & Villa

Gardens and Villa are a quintet of college friends from Santa Barbara, California, who pledge to play all parts live to achieve the laid back jam sound.  Vintage synth keyboards, guitars and percussion of all sorts combine with an occasional bamboo flute on their self-titled debut release.

4. “Gold” – Delay Trees

This lush creation is by a quartet from Finland, shoegaze pop in its finest form.  The song continues along a slow build to maximum effect.  “Gold” is off the band’s self-titled debut release.

5. “Lonely Boy” – The Black Keys

6.  “Gold On the Ceiling” – The Black Keys

These two songs are from El Camino, the seventh studio release from The Black Keys.  Patrick Carney (drums) and Dan Auerbach (guitar) collaborated with Danger Mouse for this harvest of tightly wound compositions.

7. “Top Bunk” – Gauntlet Hair

Gauntlet Hair is led by two high school friends from Chicago, Andy Rauworth and Craig Nice. They supposedly used Rauworth’s grandmother’s house to record songs while she was away from vacation.  The self-titled debut is full of noise pop songs with a spacious grandeur of their new home near Denver, Colorado.

8. “Thankful” – Caveman

This New York quintet uses handmade guitars to mold the blurred sound of shoegaze reverb but pop vocal melodies keep things on track.  “Thankful” is off their debut release, CoCo Beware.

9. “Amazing and Wonderful” – Peaking Lights

Peaking Lights are a psychedelic noise pop duo from the Madison, Wisconsin area, having relocated from San Francisco.  This husband and wife team of Indra Dunis and Aaron Coynes concoct free-form home recordings to fill this sophomore release, 936.

10. “When I Was Young” – Nada Surf

This song is a free download off the New York trio’s website from the upcoming seventh release, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy.  The mellow storytelling is a hallmark of the alt rock band, now creating music for two decades.

11. “Shake It Out” – Florence + The Machine

London’s Florence + The Machine released their second studio album, Ceremonials, with a continuation of powerful indie pop led by Florence Welch’s standout vocals.  “Shake It Out” amps up the sound with confidence, as recorded at Abbey Road Studio with Paul Epworth (also producer for Adele).

12. FFunny FFriends –Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra is the home studio project by Ruban Nielson, a New Zealand native who moved to Portland, Oregon with his band Mint Chicks.  It allowed an indulgence in mixing psychedelic past with a pop sensibility for quirky fun, as found in this lead off track from the self-titled debut.

13. This is Not the End (featuring Luciana Villanova) – Gui Burrato

Brazilian electronic music producer Gui Burrato has now three releases of his own compositions, the newest one titled III.  This dreamy song closes out the mostly-instrumental collection, with Luciana Villanova’s wistful vocals calling, This is not the end.