YouTube Playlist of Winter 2014 New Music Playlist Songs

In this YouTube playlist of my latest collection, there were few actual videos produced by the artists.  New music is now just being slapped up on the site as simple promotional previews, but I wish we'd be able to glimpse the band in action instead (whether hanging out or performing?)  In a basic fan to band marketing tool, it'd allow another connection to the people checking out the new tune and wouldn't even cost much by using found footage spliced together.  Ah well.

Link to listen and watch the montage here or click video below.

Winter 2014 New Music Playlist

The ground hog seems to have definitely gotten things right – winter continues with a vengeance for those who are accustomed to such weather or not (looking at you Southeast!)  Why not use the time indoors to check out new bands like Temples, Big Data and Jamestown Revival, along with new releases from Fanfarlo, Cut Copy, Gardens & Villa, Bombay Bicycle Club and more.  As always, the playlist ends in a chill out mode thanks to tracks from Caspian and Hammock.  

Link to listen here, enjoy!

1. "Free Your Mind" – Cut Copy

Australian synth pop quartet Cut Copy has released its fourth album since 2001, with songs promoting the concept of individual freedom. “Free Your Mind” is the title track and single for the collection, using swirling layers to connect the power of positivity embedded in this dance tune.

2. "Colony Glen" – Gardens & Villa

Santa Barbara indie rock quintet Gardens & Villa is back with a sophomore album, Dunes.  Working with DFA producer, Tim Goldsworthy, the song “Colony Glen” relies on a solid synth backbone for a more extroverted sound.

3. “Shelter Song” – Temples
English pysch rock band Temples was formed in 2012 by singer-guitarist James Edward Bagshaw and bassist Thomas Edison Warmsley.  The “Shelter Song” shows this new group’s taste for heavy reverb with a tuneful take on songwriting.

4. "Dangerous"  – Big Data
Big Data is an electronic pop duo (Daniel Armbruster and Alan Wilkis) that uses music as a message to rail against user privacy and other perils of the internet age.  “Dangerous” is a solid pop single from the debut EP, I.O. – EP.

5. “Landlocked” – Fanfarlo
London based indie pop quintet Fanfarlo released its third album since 2006, Let’s Go Extinct. With influences of folk, indie rock and post-punk, the song “Landlocked” highlights Swedish musician Simon Balthazar’s warm baritone over a busy mix of electronic and acoustic instruments.

6. "Tourniquet" – Jeremy Messersmith
Messersmith is a prolific singer/songwriter based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With an unusual analogy for a love song, “Tourniquet” is a quirky but catchy tune off Murmurs, his fifth album since 
2006.

7. "Shake" – The Head and the Heart
Seattle indie folk rock band The Head and the Heart recently released its second album, Let’s Be Still. The single “Shake” is emblematic of the group’s aesthetic of sunny male/female harmonies over acoustic guitars.

8. "Red Eyes"  – The War On Drugs 
“Red Eyes” is the single off the third album since 2005, Lost In the Dream, by Philly indie rock quintet The War On Drugs. The band’s signature wall of sound via guitars brings an epic jam, for almost five minutes of group swagger.

9. "Forever" – Painted Palms

San Francisco based cousins Reese Donohue and Christopher Prudhomme recently released their debut full album as Painted Palms.  “Forever” is the title track, a multi-sectioned paean to 60s psych pop utilizing the tools of modern electronic production.

10. "Giants"  – Bear Hands

This Brooklyn indie electro quartet released “Giants” as a stand alone single. With the wavering synths, melodic guitar lines and punchy vocal delivery, the song is instantly memorable yet ready for many a replay.

11. "The Letterbomb"  – Milagres

Brooklyn’s indie rock band Milagres relies on the sweeping, artistic vision of singer and songwriter Kyle Wilson.  “The Letterbomb” combines explosive percussion and Wilson’s storytelling vocals as a teaser single for the upcoming sophomore album, Violent Light.

12. "Step Out" – José González

José González of the Swedish band Junip contributed three songs to the soundtrack of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  For “Step Out” he embraces a cinematic approach to his indie folk songwriting, expanding the music palette with orchestral instrumentation and multi-generational vocals.

13. "Luna" – Bombay Bicycle Club

“Luna” is the single from So Long, See You Tomorrow, the fourth album by England’s indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club since 2005.  The song features singer Rae Morris as a female counterpoint to Jack Steadman’s vocals, amid a swirling soundscape over tabla and mallets in a worldview of percussion.

14. "California (Cast Iron Soul)" – Jamestown Revival

New band Jamestown Revival joins childhood friends Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance flaunting their Texan roots in this song about moving to L.A. Their harmonies and acoustic instruments blend in an easy jam, clearly demonstrating that all ties to home clearly remain intact.

15. "Pulaski at Night" – Andrew Bird

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird recently released a seven song EP, I Want To See, based on this wistful tune referencing his home base of Chicago.  His distinctive, laid back vocals float easily over the eclectic musical arrangement.

16. "Hymn for the Greatest Generation" – Caspian

Caspian, an instrumental post-rock band since 2004 from Beverly, Massachusetts, had to regroup after the sudden, unexpected death of bass player Chris Friedrich last summer. The group went on with the tour in supporting a new EP, Hymn for the Greatest Generation. This title track opens the collection that now has even more depths of emotion.

17. "Then the Quiet Explosion" – Hammock

Hammock is an ambient post-rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, formed by two guitarists in 2005, Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson.  They craft larger-than-life songs with live instruments, electronic beats and haunting electric guitar lines, such in “Then the Quiet Explosion” from a sixth album, Oblivion Hymns.

Here's to 2014 -- New Releases & Starbucks Compilation (Beck Cover of "Love" by John Lennon)

Happy New Year to all that consider new music a must in their lives like I do! While basking in the clean slate that comes every January, there's a nice list of new releases to look forward to in the coming weeks, along with a new compilation from Starbucks in time for Valentine's Day.  Albums from blog faves Broken Bells, Painted Palms and Bibio drop in January, with Bombay Bicycle Club, Fanfarlo and Milagres following in February (see list with details at the end of this post).

Beck is also due with an album in February, Morning Phase, after signing with mega-label Capitol and releasing a series of singles: "Gimme," "Defriended," and "I Won't Be Long."  Plus he will be featured in a new compilation from Starbucks, Sweetheart 2014 (available February 4th).  Beck provides a lilting cover of "Love," John Lennon's plaintive poem about the subject. Other musicians I'm looking forward to hearing on the compilation include Phosphorescent, Vampire Weekend and Jim James.  And I've started my own yearly tribute to the holiday, after happily creating romantic song playlists in 2013 and 2012.

Check out the Beck song in a preview here:



NEW RELEASES TO WATCH FOR IN 2014:
January 14 - Painted Palms, Forever (Polyvinyl Records)
January 28 - Bibio, The Green E.P. (Warp Records)
February 4 - Broken Bells, After the Disco (Columbia)
February 4 - Bombay Bicycle Club, So Long, See You Tomorrow (Vagrant)
February 11 - Fanfarlo, Let's To Extinct (Blue Horizon)
February 25 - Milagres, Violent Light (Kill Rock Stars)

Painted Palms Release New Song "Forever" (Album Due January 14)

Painted Palms (Photo by Andy DeSantis)

The duo known as Painted Palms appeared on my new music radar back two years ago, when a tune from their debut EP, Canopy, "All of Us," claimed a spot on my Summer 2011 New Music Playlist. Cousins Reese Donohue and Christopher Prudhomme grew up together in Lafayette, Lousiana and after years apart are together again in San Francisco.  They have always shared their music whether across town or miles apart --compositions with 60s psych pop leanings using modern electronic production.

Last spring the pair released Carousel, a 7" that yielded another pick for my Spring 2013 New Music Playlist, "Click."  Now, they're preparing to drop a full album in January via Polyvinyl Records, with the title track "Forever" ready to preview.  The song begins with action packed distortion worthy of a film score, before vocal and percussive layers make way for a melodic chorus through the creative clutter.  Thoughtful lyrics bring an introspective vibe that allows for a bit of ironic shoe gazing, as Prudhomme sings "Thinking about myself too much I can see that/I don't know what to be."

Youtube Playlist of Spring 2013 New Music Songs

Here's some visuals for the latest Spring 2013 Playlist via YouTube.  It's always interesting to see what's available online to illustrate the list -- official videos, ones with lyrics provided for instant sing alongs, and live performances from the professional publicity events to fan filmed (check out the one of Toro y Moi in Moscow!) Cayucas' video for "High School Lover" was already featured on an earlier blog post but in context with the others it takes on another life. And The Shout Out Louds have posted a video with snippets of their entire CD, so take a listen to it all or find the song "Circles" at 8:50.

Spring 2013 New Music Playlist

The groundhog predictions were just plain wrong this year as snow stayed in the forecast, along with the cold weather, through the first day of spring.  At least there was plenty of new music to dig through with new albums by Toro y Moi, Frightened Rabbit, Phosphorescent, and Youth Lagoon, to spice up the continuum of life indoors.  Teaser singles from upcoming albums featuring The Flaming Lips, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Phoenix also kept music fans longing for spring, while new bands Parquet Courts, Cayucos and Painted Palms reinforced the seasonal theme of renewal.  Link to listen here. 

**EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME EVERY BAND WITH BROTHERS IN THE LINEUP (ANSWER AT END OF THIS POST!)

1. "Sun Blows Up Today" -- The Flaming Lips

Oklahoma’s own house band, The Flaming Lips, keep the party going with this latest psych rock experiment, which debuted on the Super Bowl as a Hyundai ad.  This single provides a blast of fun from the upcoming thirteenth studio album, The Terror.


2. "Rose Quartz" -- Toro y Moi

Chaz Bundwick of Toro y Moi decided to indulge in R&B and 90s house music influences for his third album, Anything In Return.  His smooth delivery still gives off the chillwave vibe he’s known for, even in this varied context.


3. "High School Lover" – Cayucas

This Santa Monica based quartet knows firsthand about that sunny California mindset pervading their music, layering their pop tunes with ambient party noise and other samples to keep things interesting. “High School Lover” is a tale of unrequited teenage love from their upcoming debut album, Bigfoot.


4. "Out of My League"-- Fitz and The Tantrums

Fitz and The Tantrums are back after their retro sound and constant touring caught the ear of many new fans.  This single from their sophomore album, More Than Just a Dream, expands the sound to incorporate 80s synths while threatening to bury Fitz’s stellar blue-eyed soul voice.


5.  "Borrowed Time" -- Parquet Courts

Brooklyn based band Parquet Courts brings a resurgence of punk attitude in their debut album, Light Up Gold.  Inspired by the NYC bands before them, the quartet charges through songs with a no holds barred approach to vocals and raucous rock performance.


6. "Weird Shapes" -- Surfer Blood

West Palm Beach alt rock quartet Surfer Blood is getting ready to release their sophomore album, Pythons. Singer John Paul Pitts lets loose in a yelping chorus, describing the song as an individual's manic episode (which unfortunately might remind fans of the domestic battery charges filed against him last year).


7. "Circles" -- Shout Out Louds

Swedish indie pop quintet Shout Out Louds return to the music scene with their fourth album, Optica.  The instrumental crunch of synths introduce this dreamy tune set in a 80s dance groove.


8. "The Woodpile" -- Frightened Rabbit

Singer/guitarist Scott Hutchinson is responsible for yet another heart on the sleeve story highlighting his honest, earthy delivery.  The Scottish indie rock quartet recently released their fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse.


9. "Song for Zula" – Phosphorescent

Alabama native Matthew Houck, now based in Brooklyn, has been recording under the name Phosphorescent since 2001.  This song is from his fifth album of indie folk infused with a rock music sensibility, Muchacho.


10. "Entertainment" – Phoenix

French alt rock quartet Phoenix is returning since 2009’s breakout Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix with album number five, Bankrupt! After an Asian influenced intro, singer Thomas Mars commands another signature soaring chorus, instantly reminding fans of the band’s appeal.


11. "Click" -- Painted Palms

San Francisco based duo Painted Palms released this track as part of a preview for their upcoming debut album, Carousel.  The tune crafts an indie pop treatment of introspective, interwoven vocals over a percussive foundation.


12. "Dropla" -- Youth Lagoon

Idahoan Trevor Powers of Youth Lagoon branches out from personal shoegazing to low-fi conceptualizations of metaphysical musings, along with some ascribed pop music influences.  This floating meditation is from his sophomore album, Wondrous Bughouse.


13. "Trojans" -- Atlas Genius

Australian indie rock quartet Atlas Genius creates tightly formed pop songs with an infectious vengeance.  This catchy single is a solid introduction to their debut album, Through the Glass.


14. "Sacrilege" -- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Alt rock trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs have served as a point of pride for New York City since 2000.  This single from their fourth studio album, Mosquito, adds a gospel choir as the only really appropriate background singers for the majestic voice of singer Karen O.


15.  "Photon"-- Pantha du Prince & The Bell Laboratory

German electronic music producer Hendrick Weber, a.k.a. Pantha du Prince, has teamed up with Norwegian percussion group The Bell Laboratory to layer chiming bells over his synth universe.  The resulting collaboration is Weber’s fourth studio album under this moniker, Elements of Light.


16. "You Were Afraid" -- Night Beds

23-year-old Nashville native Winston Yelten writes spare songs late at night and it shows. This is the first tune he wrote (at age 18) as Night Beds, dealing with the bittersweet realization that a relationship would soon end.

DID YOU GUESS 4 BANDS?  (IT COULD BE 5 IF WAYNE COYNE’S BROTHER MARK WAS STILL IN THE FLAMING LIPS!)  BONUS POINTS FOR ADDING TWINS AND THREEPEATS…

1. PARQUET COURTS
2. FRIGHTENED RABBIT

3. CAYUCAS -- TWINS
4. ATLAS GENIUS -- THREE OF THEM!!!

Painted Palms Release New Songs "Carousel" & "Click"

Painted Palms is the music project of two cousins, Reese Donohue and Chris Prudhomme, who first began to compose songs with each other from separate states by emailing files and chatting by phone. Their dreamy indie pop tune "All of Us," off their self-released EP Canopy, was featured in my Summer 2011 New Music Playlist. The songs also caught the ear of Kevin Barnes, who invited them along on a nationwide tour with his band of Montreal.  Painted Palms quickly evolved into a five piece band to take advantage of this opportunity, along with other opening gigs with STRFKR and Braids.

Now their debut album Carousel is ready to drop April 2 via Polyvinyl Record Company.  (They are being released as a limited edition 7" vinyl for $6; pre-orders are rewarded by an instant full-album download.)  The title track, "Carousel," swings easily with breathy singing extolling the virtues of beautiful friends over sun drenched synths.  "Click" picks up the pace, creating interwoven melodies plus background vocals over a layered percussive vibe.

Summer 2011 New Music Playlist

With the 4th of July holiday over, summer is in full swing and here's a new tunes playlist ready to provide a soundtrack for everything on the list. From picnics and BBQs to hanging at the beach, the season is just meant to be lived outdoors. A bevy of new releases filled much of the space, rounded out by a few tracks saved from earlier in the year since they seemed more suited for summer. Link here, enjoy!

1. Make Some Noise/Beastie Boys

Doing their thing since 1979, the Beastie Boys return with a new release, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. (The part one was put aside as Adam "MCA" Yauch underwent treatment for cancer.) This lead track is unapologetically recognizable as a Beastie Boys creation, finding new influences from the current music scene.

2. Lost Weekend/Art Brut

UK's indie rock band Art Brut is also back with a new collection of songs, titled Brilliant! Tragic! This is the first single off the release, full of their signature wry lyrics and quirky mix of influences.

3. King Of the Beach/Wavves

Though this song came out last fall as part of a release with the same name, it seemed destined for a summer playlist. Nathan Williams is the mastermind behind the music, updating the surf music sound with indie's current love of lo-fi production from his hometown of San Diego.

4. All of Us/Painted Palms

The lush synth-pop of Painted Palms is the happy result of collaborating cousins Christopher Prudhomme and Reese Donohue. Their EP Canopy was put together via email and phone conversations with files passed over the internet, but they quickly put together a five-piece band to tour with Of Montreal.

5. Work/The Bewitched Hands

This French indie pop band recently dropped "On the Top of Our Heads" from their name, but the new release, Birds and Drums, is filled of their fuzzed out compositions per usual. In "Work," the group expands the sound for a crowd sing along which makes room for a classic guitar solo.

6. Stone Rollin'/Raphael Saadiq

The R & B singer/producer Raphael Saadiq put together Stone Rollin after playing most of the instruments and adding his signature vocal style. It's a collection of retro cool that's perfect for hot nights of summer.

7. Two Against One/Daniel Luppi and Danger Mouse

This song is the result of a five-year project by composer and arranger Daniel Luppi with producer Danger Mouse. The release, Rome, serves as an homage to the soundtracks of classic Italian Spaghetti westerns with vocal contributions from Jack White and Nora Jones, but never gets stuck in past conventions.

8. Seer/Motopony

Motopony hails from the Seattle scene as fronted by Fashion Designer and songwriter Daniel Blue. His bluesy vocals fit perfectly over the funky grooves of the band, while instruments play off of one another in a burst of energy. "Seer" is off their self-titled, debut release.

9. Buffalo/The Deloreans

This band from Louisville, Kentucky, calls its music 'eccentric power pop' with confidence. "Buffalo" is off of their second release American Craze, with soaring wall of sound choruses about the thrill of being animals in pastures.

10. True Loves/Hooray For Earth

Hooray for Earth takes their name from a Nickelodeon cartoon and is now based in NYC, having moved from the Boston area. "True Loves" is also the name of their first full-length release, where this track finds a place smack in the middle with a power chord intro.

11. Neat Little Rows/Elbow

12. The Birds/Elbow

The UK alt band Elbow has played together since 1990 with five studio releases. The latest, Build a Rocket Boys, is full of complex songwriting presented by the warm baritone of frontman Guy Garvey.

13. Do It Again/Holy Ghost!

This electropop duo grew up together in NYC and are also known for remix work of fellow playlisters Friendly Fires and Moby. "Do It Again" is the single off their first full-length, self-titled release, confidently presenting their musical perspective with catchy synth phrases.

14. Blue Cassette/Friendly Fires

UK dance punk band Friendly Fires is back with its second release, Pala, with more 80s inspired tunes like "Blue Cassette." The group also went to school together and first formed a post-hardcore group before focusing on more dance friendly tunes.

15. Truth/Alexander

Alexander Ebert is best known for his alter ego, fronting Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. He also serves as the voice for the band Ima Robot but his first solo release as a singer-songwriter, Alexander, allows his earthy all-knowing vibe to take over the proceedings.

16. The Day/Moby

This is the only track where Moby is singing on his latest release, Destroyed, a collection of songs written in the middle of the night while on tour in cities around the world. The soaring chorus is classic Moby, with heartstrings attached and a synth pulse driving the melody.

17. Sacre Cool/Young Montana?

Young Montana? (UK fiddler Jon Prichard) creates beat heavy compositions with interesting deviations into samples. "Sacre Cool" is off the debut release Limerance.

18. Our Hearts of Ruin/Blue Sky Black Death

With a band name lifted from a sky diving phrase (abbreviated as BSDD), this production duo based in Seattle churns out hip hop and instrumental music. There's an indulgent mix of live instrumentation and sampling in their songs as evidenced in this lead track from their latest release, Noir.