Top 20+ Songs of 2015 With YouTube Playlist

Here is another annual list of my most listened to songs of the year - new music that tapped that inner thrill of discovery as well as the soul enriching gifts of artistic expression.  I wax poetic to honor this creative outlet that supplies my daily life with a constantly changing soundtrack, thanks mainly to habitual online listening via KEXP and KCRW. While it would be hard to pick a favorite song of 2015, this playlist sequence makes sense to the ears per usual, not in order of preference. However of special mention are the epic blasts of Beck's "Dreams," Tame Impala's "Let It Happen" and "Wide Open" by The Chemical Brothers, all clocking in over five minutes. There are plenty of reasons to hit the dance floor (or anywhere with movement) - Dan Deacon's "Feel the Lightning," "Oh Man the Future" by De Lux and EL VY's "Return to the Moon" plus anything by Jamie xx.  The Lone Below provides the coda with "Then Came the Morning," which might be the most uplifting ever.

Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube playlist below.

1. "Daffodils" – Mark Ronson (featuring Kevin Parker)
2. "Dreams" – Beck
3. "Feel the Lightning" – Dan Deacon
4. "Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)" –  Father John Misty
5. "Take My Side" – Will Butler
6. "I'm in Love with My Life" – PHASES
7. "Ferus Gallery" – Allah-Las
8. "Fixations" – Gardens & Villas
9. "Memory Remains" – Oberhofer
10. "Loud Places" – Jamie xx (featuring Romy) 
11. "Let it Happen" – Tame Impala
12. "Go Out" – Blur
13. "Satellites" – Mew
14. "Return to the Moon" – EL VY
15. "Reconfiguration" – Other Lives
16. "Breaker" – Deerhunter
17. "In a Future World" – Telekinesis
18. "Boys Latin" – Panda Bear
19. "Oh Man the Future" – De Lux
20. "Wide Open" – The Chemical Brothers
21. "Then Came the Morning" – The Lone Below

Summer 2015 New Music Playlist

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 1^st 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

New Song by PHASES, "I'm in Love with My Life" (Album Out This Summer)

PHASES (Photo via Warner Bros. Records)

I love me a good dance tune. This one by L.A. band PHASES (formerly JJAMZ) fell into my inbox today when I spotted the name of Phantom Planet singer Alex Greenwald -- another fave band of mine like Doves of the last post, also cited as a band I'd love to be able to resurrect in the post "My Picks For Older Bands To Round Out the Music Collection (80s, 90s, 2000s) & Bands I Wish Were Still Here From Each Decade."  The band also includes Jason Boesel of Rilo Kiley/Bright Eyes, Michael Runion, and Z Berg of The Like. They describe their sound as a marriage of dance and electronic, creating songs based on some experimental solo recordings by Greenwald in his Laurel Canyon living room using an outdated version of GarageBand.

"We wanted the songs to be fun, danceable, and engaging," says Greenwald. "That's how the tracks started, and then in the studio the things we added had to maintain that level of excitement."

With a full length album due this summer, the group has debuted a video for the catchy single "I'm in Love with My Life."  The video was directed by award-winning film, TV, commercial and music video director Ethan Tobman. I have to agree with his assessment of a first listen...

"When I first heard 'I'm in Love with My Life,'" Tobman said, "it put me in such an unashamedly optimistic mood. I immediately thought of trying to do something in reverse. The idea was that PHASES would be moving forward, nonchalantly, while the world around them inverts complexity in a way that brings us joy."  As any worthy dance tune should -- take a listen on YouTube or here.