Late Spring 2015 New Music Playlist

It hardly seems right to call this Late Spring 2015 New Music Playlist when here in the Northeast, we're still waking up from the crazy, record-breaking winter. Thankfully there are just piles of new

music to be discovered, from SXSW buzz bands BORNS, COIN and Cheerleader, to prolific artists Sufjan Stevens, Zero 7, My Morning Jacket and The Helio Sequence. Australia represents with plenty of songs from down under: Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, Au.Ra and Twerps. Enjoy new tunes by Passion Pit, ON AN ON, Purity Ring and more in this latest listening session. Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist.

1. “Run” – COIN

“Run” is the first single off the self-titled debut album from the Nashville quartet COIN. The song is full of indie pop swagger, with a sing-along intro and smooth vocals that build to a catchy chorus.

2. “Lifted Up (1985)” – Passion Pit

Michael Angelakos has another collection of synth pop anthems for his band’s third album since 2007, Kindred. “Lifted Up” is the lead single – all polished indietronica to complement his falsetto delivery.

3. “The Sunshine of Your Youth” – Cheerleader

Cheerleader is a five piece from Philly that uses lyrics to delve beneath the optimistically named songs and moniker. This is the title track to its debut album, with a power pop wall of sound that complements the low-fi vocals.

4. “10,000 Emerald Pools” – BØRNS

Singer/songwriter Garrett Borns has glam-rock looks ready made for the move from his Michigan hometown to L.A. to front a band.  The quintet just released a debut EP, Candy, full of electro rock influences and solid pop hooks.

5. “Stoic Resemblance” – The Helio Sequence

The Helio Sequence is an alt rock duo from Beaverton, Oregon formed in 1999 by Brandon Summers (vocals, guitars) and Benjamin Weikel (drums, keyboards). “Stoic Resemblance” is the lead-off track from the self-titled sixth album, with a fuzzy psychedelic laid-back vibe over a kicky beat.

6. “To Die in L.A.” – Lower Dens

Baltimore indie rock band Lower Dens has just released its third album since 2010, produced by lead singer Jana Hunter and Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, Beach House and TV on the Radio).  “To Die in L.A.” is the first single from the album, showcasing the quartet’s taut musical structure around Hunter’s evocative voice.

7. “Big Decisions” – My Morning Jacket

“Big Decisions” is a soaring anthem from the upcoming seventh release from My Morning Jacket, the rock band from Louisville, Kentucky formed in 1998 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Jim James. The quintet recently created enough songs to fill two future releases; the first (due in May) is titled The Waterfall.

8. “Let It Happen” – Tame Impala

This eight-minute single by Australian band Tame Impala features the indulgences of mastermind Kevin Parker, all psych rock and hip indie cool as the musical thread drops out and builds back up. “Let It Happen” was released as a free download and may also appear on an upcoming third album, Currents.

9. “Pedestrian at Best” – Courtney Barnett

Australian Courtney Barnett has just released her debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, after garnering attention with a few EPs. “Pedestrian at Best” is the single from the record, featuring her stream of consciousness style of deadpan delivery over the band, a bare bones quartet. 

10. “All This Wandering Around” – Ivan & Alyosha

Ivan & Alyosha (known as I & A) is a five-piece folk pop band from Seattle, formed in 2007 by Tim Wilson and Ryan Carbary. “All This Wandering Around” is a wildly infectious song off the sophomore album, It’s All Just Pretend.

11. “Sparks” – The Dø

French/Finnish indie pop band The Dø was founded in Paris in 2005 by Olivia Merilahti (singer and musician) and Dan Levy (multi-instrumentalist).  “Sparks” – a pop-laden tune getting plenty of airplay in the U.S. –is on its third album, Shake Shook Shaken.

12. “Push Pull” – Purity Ring

Canadian electronic duo Purity Ring is back with its sophomore album, Another Eternity, embracing a dream pop credo since 2010. “Push Pull” highlights the sweet singing of Megan James amid the swaying synths curated by Corin Roddick.

13. “Rock & Roll Is Cold” – Matthew E. White

Mathew E. White is a songwriter, producer/arranger and founder of Spacebomb Records based in Richmond, Virginia. This song is off his second solo album, Fresh Blood, featuring White’s wry singing and low-key guitar work.

14. “Morning” – Au.Ra

Sydney’s new duo Au.Ra (Tim Jenkins and Tom Crandle) composes hazy soundscapes from improvised jams, as witnessed in “Morning” from the debut album, Jane’s Lament.

15. “I Don’t Mind” – Twerps

Twerps is a psych-pop quartet from Melbourne formed in 2008.  This easy-going tune, “I Don’t Mind,” hails from the group’s second album, Range Anxiety.

16. “Should Have Known Better” – Sufjan Stevens

Brooklyn-based musician Sufjan Stevens returns to his indie folk roots for Carrie & Lowell, his seventh studio album. “Should Have Known Better” is a plaintive exploration into past memories with a sparse arrangement highlighting Stevens’ wistful tenor.

17. “Last Light” (featuring José González) – Zero 7

British producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker formed the duo Zero 7 in 1997. They enlist the moody vocals of Swedish singer José González for “Last Light,” a melancholy song off the latest release, EP 3.

18. “Drifting” – ON AN ON

Midwestern indie rock trio ON AN ON returns with a second album, And the Wave Has Two Sides. The heartfelt single “Drifting” tackles relationship woes with a restraint that becomes unraveled in song.

ACL Music Festival 2013 Day Two Highlights - October 5

Back at ACL, Day Two started early with a noonish set by Dan Croll.  His song "From Nowhere" was one of my top twenty of 2012, so I made sure to get there in time.  Backing up this Liverpudian singer/songwriter was a full band at Croll's command added volume to his eager pop aesthetic. He asked "How we doing ACL?" And alluded to the day's heat by saying how since they were British, the band was "really, really, really hot." They played songs off the EP (also called From Nowhere) and along with some new songs, including a sweet nod to their home to end their time on stage with "England."

  

                         Dan Croll (at left w/my favorite instrument!)

Afterwards, it was time to find shade and food.  Since Austin basically invented the food truck culture, the offerings at this festival are simply amazing.  From BBQ to tacos galore lined up in booths, there were some tough choices here too just like deciding what band to catch on the packed schedule.  There was also a market for shopping and even a mini-post office with picture post cards to send at the ready for $1, stamp included.

Arriving crowds  w/an umbrella for shade

Mirror for shopping only - no selfies!!

Next up music-wise was Junip, a Swedish duo appearing as a six-piece with a full folk rock sound.  Mid set they brought out a swirling rendition of "Always" and newer songs from their second self-titled album released last spring (including "Line of Fire" which was recently used in Breaking Bad!)

Junip Singer José González

Junip

At the larger stage next door, a crowd was already in place for Portugal. The Man.  I caught this Portland band headlining Terminal 5 for CMJ Music Festival  back in 2011 after the sixth album, In the Mountain, In the Cloud, was on my heavy rotation.  The band has just released another album, Evil Friends, a strong collection continuing their quality alt-rock tinged with soul via John Gourley's vocals.  The set began full tilt with the heady new song "Purple, Yellow, Red and Blue" along with "Evil Friends," before heading into the past with an old-time fave "So American." Their epic arrangements with a stage full of musicians seemed better suited to the unlimited outdoor venue. The weather had cooled down and a breeze sent the festival flags in motion, the music had an added grandeur that wasn't quite allowed in the confines of an interior of any building.

Portugal. The Man.

A few flybys (Nashville's animated Wild Cub, Welch arty folk rock of Joy Formidable, indie rock from Ireland Little Green Cars) followed with a gem found on the stage with L.A. blues rock band Vintage Trouble -- frontman Ty Taylor was totally bringing it, as they say.  His energetic R&B swagger converted listeners into fans who sensed they found an up and coming star.  

Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble

Heading over for Passion Pit, I could hear Canadian artist Grimes' high pitched vocals over a synth interplay in "Genesis" floating over the grounds.  Going stage to stage made for some long walks, but it's a treat letting the ears pick up whatever is playing at the time. In fact, most locals we met didn't even have a firm schedule of who they wanted to see but were there to hang out, meet people and hear good music.  Almost like attending the annual 4th of July fireworks display,  they seemed to be gathering simply in order experience some musical magic.  

And with the strobe lights flying at the Passion Pit stage, there really were pyrotechnics.  Newly bearded Michael Angelakos led the Boston area band through catchy synth pop tunes such as "Carried Away," and "The Reeling." He said, "Last time Austin, it was pretty loud." But he implored the fans to take it even louder, which they instantly did so Angelakos added "Austin, how we love you!" During their hit "Talk A Walk" I did just that, heading over to catch a song by Chicago's band pride Wilco.  I plunked myself down in the grass and just happened to hear one of my faves, the lilting tune "Impossible Germany." It was a nice contrast to what was going on across the way, evidence of how one's own musical taste can encompass many emotions.

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

Wilco

Later on The Cure came out in darkness, all wearing black with frontman Robert Smith in a sequins and full makeup. He surveyed the enormous audience before beginning another gig through the decades,  his wiry hair surrounded his head like a halo.  Smith's voice was strong and the band were ever the polished professionals, churning through hits such as "Just Like Heaven," "Love Song" and "Pictures of You."  Hearing the songs back to back after such a long time, I was reminded how romantic these classic 80s hits were and was glad I wasn't alone in the crowd.  I actually went to see the band early on at The Ritz in New York City, when we all gasped at the percussive synths coming from newly introduced drum machines.  With everyone singing along to "Friday I'm in Love," the night created a love fest of fans old and new connecting to this music, which no one really knew would stand the test of time. Check out The Cure and more in the highlights video below.

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2013 - Must See Bands

I'm finally going to Austin -- the line up for this year's Austin City Limits Music Festival was too tempting!  They've expanded it to two weekends just like Coachella, which may not be the best way to create a unique sense of excitement around an event. But at least it's not in the desert (or on a sprawling farm like Bonnaroo), but in a contained city park as depicted in the video at the end of this post. The festival website has the official schedule up with a handy "My ACL" customization to share your picks and get updates.  I've also shared my to-do list below with my thoughts behind each choice (most have appeared on my new music playlists), however I'm going to have some tough decisions come Sunday's line up.

I've reconnected with a friend from my hometown who lives within "biking distance" from the park and I'm also armed with a nice list of recommendations from a local (that would be Josh Lambert of The Octopus Project and to use his favorite word during concerts, a very enthusiastic thanks!) I even have a tab opened to the Weather.com's 10-day forecast for the city, to see if I'll need to sport that lovely poncho look. It all looks great weather wise but what to pack? After checking out last year's fashions online, it looks like starting with messy hair is a must. At least that should be easy to keep going hours from gig to gig!

MUST SEE:

Friday: 
Smith Westerns (Playlist Pick a few times, never seen them)
Saturday: 

Dan Croll (Playlist Pick with a favorite song, never seen them)

Sunday: 

Franz Ferdinand, (Playlist Pick & HUGE FAN through all four albums)

Toro Y Moi (Playlist Pick & solid fan since day one, have a link on the band's Wikipedia page)

Atoms for Peace (Playlist Pick & big fan of Thom Yorke/Radiohead)

CATCH SOME:
Friday: 
Wild Nothing (Playlist Pick, never seen but getting into town around then)
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Local Natives (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Okkervil River (Interesting new concept album about growing up, The Silver Gymnasium)
Fun. (Huge pop band with singer that looks like my brother, why not see what the fuss is about)
Vampire Weekend (Playlist Pick, seen but it's been a while)
Wild Belle (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Purity Ring (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Depeche Mode (band you could not escape from back in the 80s, will check out a few songs)
Muse (Another huge band, interested to see why people seem to think they really rock live)
Saturday:
Parquet Courts (Playlist Pick, just saw them and have a conflict but wanted to put them on list anyway)
Junip (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Portugal.The Man. (Seen as CMJ 2011 headliner, been awhile)
Wild Cub (Not a huge fan of their music but a favorite of KEXP so thought I should check them out)
The Joy Formidable (Favorites of the hipster scene, might bypass this one)
Passion Pit (Playlist Pick & solid fan, have a link on this band's Wikipedia page too)
Wilco (Playlist Pick though not a huge fan of everything they've done)
The Cure (Another 80s band you could not escape from at the time, actually saw them back then)
Sunday: 
Bear Mountain (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Foxygen (Playlist Pick, never seen although I hear they are falling apart at the seams)
Ms Mr (Playlist Pick, never seen)
Divine Fits (Playlist Pick & seen lots but local guy Britt Daniels is such a rock star)
White Denim (Good solid band from Austin, never seen)
The National (Playlist Pick, seen but it's been a while)
Tame Impala (Playlist Pick, was supposed to see the band but then Hurricane Sandy hit so still need to)
Phosphorescent (Playlist Pick, seen a few months ago but love love love Matthew Houck's voice)
Phoenix (Playlist Pick and would love to see Sophia Coppola's adorable hubby Thomas Mars)

Top 20 Songs of 2012 With Video Playlist

There were plenty of moments in 2012 when pure attention through the ears became a moment to behold. When I came across these songs this year, it didn't just make my day... it rocked my world and made my life.  My year flashes before me as I revisit favorite new tunes while still fresh in the mind.

Here again I give you my Top 20 Songs of 2012 in no particular order, but arranged into a pleasing listening session via Spotify here or a YouTube Video Playlist below. It begins with Santigold's self-produced treatment of one catchiest songs of the year and includes some awesome live versions (including a NMMatters one of The Walkmen during this year's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry!) Enjoy, JaneJS

1. "The Keepers" Santigold
2. "Take a Walk" Passion Pit
3. "Heaven" The Walkmen
4. "Simple Song" The Shins
5. "Let's Go" Matt & Kim
6. "Sad Vacation" The Dandy Warhols
7. "Thankful" Caveman
8. "Amanaemonesia" Chairlift 
9. "Good As New" Vacationer
10. "Happy Home" Onuinu
11. "Yet Again" Grizzly Bear
12. "Would That Not Be Nice" Divine Fits
13. "From Nowhere" Dan Croll
14. "Hail Bop" Django Django
15. "Unless You Speak from Your Heart" Porcelain Raft
16. "Summertime is Coming" Paul Banks
17. "Heart" Oberhofer
18. "The Reflection of You" Bear In Heaven
19. "Myth" Beach House 
20. "So Long You Pretty Thing" Spiritualized

Top Ten Releases of 2012 With Video Highlights

This week PopMatters posted The 75 Best Albums of 2012 from compiling top ten lists from staff writers.  I also contributed a write up for Passion Pit's excellent entry, Gossamer (#66). Reviewing this article is another opportunity to discover bands not already on your radar, so I highly recommend taking the time to dive in. 

My personal top ten is listed here with video highlights -- chosen on the basis of how excited I was about the album before it came out (sometimes months before the release date) to how much I visited the songs once it did. Together it represents over seven hours of happy listening. And I must say, 2012 was a fine year for new music!  

1. Grizzly Bear, Shields
The Brooklyn indie band Grizzly Bear built upon the success of their third album in 2009, Veckatimest, with a confident collection in Shields.  Featuring the songwriting skills of Edward Droste and Daniel Rossen as produced by band member Chris Taylor, the songs are varied and rewarding in a multi-layered, thoughtful presentation.

2. The Shins, Port of Morrow

James Mercer returned with a revamped line up for his fourth album as The Shins, after the acclaimed Broken Bells side project with producer Danger Mouse.  For fans waiting five years since 2007's Wincing the Night Away, Port of Morrow continues on that secure path of indie indulgence.  Mercer's warm tenor leads the way, through new subjects of fatherhood and adult responsibilities plucked straight from his domestic life.  

3. Passion Pit, Gossamer
Gossamer was released as the sophomore album from Boston area based group Passion Pit, but it was really the solo project of frontman Michael Angelokos (which is actually how the band began).  Angelokos wrote and produced the songs, with vague references of his own mental strife as he continued a battle with bi-polar disorder.  Yet the music remains as strong as ever, a full frontal indie electropop that reads well on stage as evidenced when Angelokos appeared on SNL earlier in the fall.

4. Beach House, Bloom

Baltimore's dream pop duo Beach House released their fourth album, Bloom, with more gauzy soundscapes.  Victoria LeGrand's expansive yet earthy vocals keep things grounded as a counterpoint to Alex Scally's haunting guitar and the layered synths.

5. Spiritualized, Sweet Heart, Sweet Light

Jason Pierce (a.k.a. Spaceman) released his seventh album as the frontman of U.K. alt rock band Spiritualized, Sweet Heart, Sweet Light.  The songs pour out from Pierce's harrowing experiences with chemotherapy for liver disease, with swells of musical transcendence and uplifting choruses.  (The Huh? on cover art refers to the original working title, in case you're wondering!)

6. The Walkmen, Heaven

The Walkmen released their seventh album over a decade, Heaven, and celebrated time together as a indie rock band plus the years since high school in the Washington, D.C. area.  While the group's early days were spent in New York City, members have moved to Philly and New Orleans as they began another stage into family life. Their devotion to each other is seen and heard in the video for the title track here, with solid songwriting that favors vintage instruments and persistent guitar work. 

7. Vacationer, Gone
New band Vacationer put New York City's synth duo Body Language together with Philadelphia area's Kenny Vasoli, formerly of post punk outfit A Starting Line. (Interview and concert review from last spring here.) The result is a breezy collabo of electronic beats and swatches of lush samples, with Vasoli's laid back but eager vocal delivery finding another fitting musical home.

8. Miike Snow, Happy To You

Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop band with the producing team Bloodshy & Avant (Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg) and American vocalist Andrew Wyatt.  Their sophomore album, Happy To You, finds the trio flaunting their self-made studio ways, utilizing all the tools to achieve hooks galore.  This video could use some explanation, however!

9. Tame Impala, Lonerism
Australian psych rock quintet Tame Impala, the musical project of Kevin Parker, released their sophomore album Lonerism.  It's full of trippy grooves and explosions of sound, with buried vocals that somehow burst from this busy foundation.

10. Andrew Bird, Break It Yourself
Chicago area native Andrew Bird has released nine plus albums of music as composer and muli-instrumentalist.  Break It Yourself features fourteen complex compositions with Bird on guitar, violin and vocals (including lots of whistling!)

Wrapping Up the Year in Music - Best Songs of 2012 via PopMatters

Let the end of year lists begin!  PopMatters posted "The 75 Best Songs of 2012" with staff picks ranging with the familiar (Goyte, Carly Rae Jepson and Taylor Swift) and the not so much. The nice thing about perusing the list is seeing those musicians you've never heard of, so take time to listen to anything that peaks your interest -- I promise it'll be well worth it!   Each writer was asked to submit their top five (ranked) songs a few weeks ago with my write up for a top pick, The Shins' "Simple Song," found at #44.  I'll list my other picks as submitted while I'm working on my own top 20 songs and will post top 10 releases of 2012 soon.

TOP 5 BEST SONGS OF 2012:

1. The Shins, "Simple Song"

2. Passion Pit, "Take a Walk"

3. The Walkmen, "Heaven"

4. The Dandy Warhols, "Sad Vacation"

5. Matt & Kim, "Let's Go"

TOP 5 ARTISTS OF 2012:

1. M83

2. Grizzly Bear

3. The Shins

4. Passion Pit

5. Andrew Bird

TOP 3 BEST NEW ARTISTS OF 2012:

1. Oberhofer

2. Divine Fits

3. Bear In Heaven

TOP 3 BEST MUSIC BOOKS & DVDs OF 2012:

1. LCD Soundsystem, "Shut Up & Play the Hits" DVD

2. David Byrne, How Music Works

3. "Color Me Obsessed: A Film About the Replacements"

TOP 3 HOPE TO MAKE IT BIG IN 2013:

1. Indians

2. Dan Croll

3. Django Django

TOP 5 Reissues of 2012:

1. Blur, Blur 21

2. Roxy Music, Roxy Music: The Complete Studio Recordings

3. Interpol, Turn On the Bright Lights

4. Bright Eyes, Fevers & Mirrors/There is No Beginning to the Story

5. R.E.M., Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage

Ra Ra Riot Releases New Song "Beta Love"

Photo via Barsuk Records (Shervin Lainez)

In another BAM-related post, indie darlings Ra Ra Riot have released the title track off their upcoming album, Beta Love, due January 22. I caught this band back in February 2010 there as part of the Sounds Like Brooklyn festival, one of BAM's first forays into new music performances. (Allowing a young, hipster audience into the grand Howard Gilman Opera House was a novel idea back then!)  The group that filled the stage that night has been reduced to a quartet, which is not a bad idea given the flooded airways of large group jams by The Lumineers or Monsters and Men.  

"Beta Love" welcomes fans back into the fold with an introduction featuring Wes Miles' warm tenor.  Yet now it's over synths before a dance beat kicks begins and he floors it in falsetto, more like Michael Angelakos of tour mates Passion Pit.  It's a new direction to be sure, but it makes me just want to hear more. The band begins a national tour tonight, returning to their roots in Syracuse, NY where they met during their college days at Syracuse University (see other tour dates below). 




Beta Love Tracklist:

01. Dance with Me
02. Binary Mind
03. Beta Love
04. Is It Too Much
05. For Once
06. Angel, Please
07. What I Do For U
08. When I Dream
09. That Much
10. Wilderness
11. I Shut Off

Ra Ra Riot 2012-2013 Tour Dates:
11/14 – Syracuse, NY @ Setnor Auditorium (Syracuse University)
11/28 – Providence, RI @ Lupo’s *
11/29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Liacouras Center ^
12/08 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon #
12/09 – Hartford, CT @ Arch Street Tavern #
12/11 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall #
12/12 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place #
12/13 – Ithaca, NY @ Haunt #
01/23 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
01/25 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
01/26 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
02/02 – Tokyo, JP @ Hostess Club Weekender &
02/03 – Tokyo, JP @ Hostess Club Weekender &
02/07 – Vancouver, BC @ Venue
02/08 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theater
02/09 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
02/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
02/12 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
02/15 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up
02/16 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
02/17 – El Paso AZ @ Lowbrow Palace
02/19 – Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater
02/20 – Austin, TX @ The Belmont
02/21 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
02/23 – Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry’s
02/24 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
02/25 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
02/26 – Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
02/28 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
03/01 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
03/02 – Madison, WI @ Der Rathskeller
03/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
03/05 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
03/06 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
03/07 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
03/08 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
03/09 – Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street

* = w/ Passion Pit and Joy Formidable
^ = w/ Passion Pit
# = w/ Guards
& = w/ Vampire Weekend and Ultraista

Summer 2012 New Music Playlist

Summer is in full swing with plenty of new music heating things up for the next playlist. A single from the much-anticipated Passion Pit album starts things off with the venerable Hot Chip next in line.  Newcomers Deep Sea Arcade, Teen Daze and Stepdad are definitely worth a listen, while more music from Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Pomegrantes are always welcome additions. Link to listen here, enjoy! 

1. “Take A Walk” – Passion Pit

Boston area electropop band Passion Pit burst on the scene with their debut album in 2009, with a youthful embrace of danceable songs and Michael Angelakos’ soaring falsetto. This is the first single off the quintet’s sophomore album, Gossamer, introducing a serious approach to lyrics over the ever chugging beat.

2. “Night and Day” – Hot Chip

“Night and Day” is off the fifth studio album, In Our Heads, by the U.K. electropop band Hot Chip.  Alexis Taylor’s vocals float amid a layered dance groove and call backs galore to bring this dance frenzy to a close.

3. “Brains” – Lower Dens

Lower Dens is a Baltimore based indie folk band formed in 2010.  The quintet just released their second album, Nootropics, with this psychedelic tune providing an expanded, ethereal sound for the song list.

4. “Pass Away” – Pomegranates

Cincinnati band Pomegranates have stayed true to their indie rock roots since 2006.  This upbeat song with whoops of fun is off their fourth album, Heaven.

5. “How Do I Know” – Here We Go Magic

6. “Make Up Your Mind” – Here We Go Magic

Here We Go Magic is an indie rock band based in Brooklyn, New York.  These two infectious songs are off their fourth album, A Different Ship. 

7. “Dreambeat” – Peaking Lights

Wisconsin husband (Aaron Coyes) and wife (Indra Dunis) duo Peaking Lights recorded their latest album Lucifer in a professional studio, leaving behind the homemade tracks of last year’s debut release.  The experimental nature of the music is fully intact, however, as “Dreambeat” proudly displays.

8. “Man On Fire” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

The Los Angeles band Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros recently convened to record their second album, Here.  Singer Alex Ebert fronts this folksy troupe of a dozen or so members, a fluid group befitting the casual nature of their songs.

9. “Girls” – Deep Sea Arcade

Schoolmates Nic McKenzie and Mick Weaver formed Australian band Deep Sea Arcade back in their teens.  The quintet’s sound is sun drenched indie pop, as this song off their first album, Outlands, reveals. 

10. “1997” – Saint Motel

Saint Motel is an indie pop band based in L.A. with a confident mantra utilizing plenty of outside influences for their first full length album, Voyeur. A/J Jackson’s smooth crooning vocals lead the charge for this four-piece group.

11. “Must Land Running” – Stepdad

“Must Land Running” is the audacious single off Stepdad’s first album, Wildlife Pop. This electronic pop quintet was formed by roommates ultramark and Ryan McCarthy in their Chicago apartment in 2009, but are now based in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

12. “Endless Flowers” – Crocodiles

“Endless Flowers” is the title track of the third album by this indie pop band from San Diego, California.  The wall of sound production brings a sunny vibe to the fuzzy rock groove, with strumming guitars and a persistent percussive backbone.

13. “Gold Morning Mend” – Ian McGlynn

Ian McGlynn is a singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from New Jersey, who just released his third album, Now We’re Golden. The song showcases McGlynn’s emotive vocals over an intricate indie pop sound.

14. “No. 1 Against The Rush” – Liars

Liars is a Brooklyn based three-piece electronic dance punk band, formed in 2000 by Californians Angus Andrew and Julian Gross.  This multi-layered song is off their sixth album, WIXIX (pronounced ‘wish you’).

15. “Brooklyn Sunburn” – Teen Daze

16. “Hold” – Teen Daze

Teen Daze is the solo project of music producer Jamison from Vancouver, British Columbia.  These synth compositions are from his first album, All of Us, Together, inspired by a book found in a thrift store called Utopian Visions.

New Passion Pit Single "Take A Walk"

Passion Pit @ Moogfest 10/30/11 (Photos: Paul Seymour)

This week Passion Pit released a single off their much anticipated sophomore album Gossamer called "Take a Walk."  Paul and I got a sneak preview at last fall's Moogfest show, during a very cold night on the Animoog Playground (basically a parking lot with a stage and food/merch tents, offical PopMatters review here). Singer/frontman Michael Angelakos was actually sweetly concerned about the crowd's well being, but as you can see by the photos there was plenty of body heat to keep us warm.  "Take A Walk" announces the band with a synth chord intro and then it's classic Passion Pit with a driving dance beat and sing along chorus.  Angelakos told New York Magazine's Vulture that this time around "there is more a dichotomy between the lyrics and the music. The lyrics on this album have a lot to say about what the last two years of my life have been troubled with."  To drive home the point, their website provides the lyrics along with a free download for the listener (also provided below).

TAKE A WALK

ALL THESE KINDS OF PLACES MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT'S BEEN AGES
TOMORROW SOME NEW BUILDING WILL SCRAPE THE SKY
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY DEARLY
I CAN FEEL THE LADDER CLEARLY
BUT I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE ALONE TO TRY
ONCE I WAS OUTSIDE PENN STATION SELLING RED AND WHITE CARNATIONS
WE WERE STILL ALONE MY WIFE AND I
BEFORE WE MARRIED SAVED MY MONEY
BROUGHT MY DEAR WIFE OVER
NOW I WORK TO BRING MY FAMILY STATESIDE

BUT OFF THE BOAT THEY STAYED AWHILE THEN SCATTERED ACROSS THE COAST
ONCE A YEAR I'LL SEE THEM FOR A WEEK OR SO AT MOST

I TOOK A WALK

PRACTICE ISN'T PERFECT BUT THE MARKET CUTS THE LOSS
I REMIND MYSELF THAT TIMES COULD BE MUCH WORSE
MY WIFE WON'T ASK ME QUESTIONS
THERE'S NOT SO MUCH TO ASK
AND SHE'LL NEVER FLAUNT AROUND AN EMPTY PURSE
ONCE MY MOTHER IN LAW CAME JUST TO STAY A COUPLE NIGHTS
THEN DECIDED SHE WOULD STAY THE REST OF HER LIFE
I WATCH MY LITTLE CHILDREN PLAY SOME BOARD GAME IN THE KITCHEN
AND I SIT AND PRAY THEY NEVER FEEL MY STRIFE

BUT THEN MY PARTNER CALLED TO SAY THE PENSION FUNDS WERE GONE
HE MADE SOME BAD INVESTMENTS NOW THE ACCOUNTS ARE OVERDRAWN

I TOOK A WALK

HONEY, IT'S YOUR SON
I THINK I BORROWED JUST TOO MUCH WE HAD TAXES
WE HAD BILLS, WE HAD A LIFESTYLE TO FRONT AND TONIGHT I SWEAR I'LL COME HOME AND WE'LL MAKE LOVE LIKE WE'RE YOUNG AND TOMORROW YOU'LL COOK DINNER FOR THE NEIGHBORS AND THEIR KIDS WE CAN RIP APART THOSE SOCIALISTS AND ALL THEIR DAMN TAXES BUT SEE I AM NO CRIMINAL
I'M DOWN ON BOTH BAD KNEES I'M JUST TOO MUCH A COWARD
TO ADMIT WHEN I'M IN NEED

I TOOK A WALK.