Fall 2012 New Music Playlist

Here’s a selection of new music off highly anticipated releases from indie strongholds Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective along with singles from upcoming releases from Tame Impala and Matt and Kim.  New super group Divine Fits provided a strong entry of solid songs while David Byrne handpicked Annie Clark (a.k.a. St. Vincent) for another collaborative project.  With so much new music out recently, a Late Fall New Music Playlist is already in the works -- of course that’s never a bad thing! Link to listen here.

1. “Let’s Go” – Matt and Kim

“Let’s Go” is the single off the upcoming release Lightning, from Brooklyn’s indie dance punk couple Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino.  While remaining true to their minimalist DIY roots, this latest party anthem rocks a rollicking beat, alternating cooing and yelping vocals, plus handclaps of fun. 

2. “Fineshrine” – Purity Ring

New band Purity Ring is also a duo – Canadians Corin Roddick and Megan James wrote the songs for their debut album, Shrines, miles apart but they quickly became noticed in the international music scene for a hybrid of eclectic electro pop.  James’ voice is at once commanding and childlike, while instrumentalist Roddick provides synth beats for the foundation.

3. “Gun Has No Trigger” – Dirty Projectors

Experimental alt rock band Dirty Projectors have released seven full length albums, the latest Swing Low Magellan, with “Gun Has No Trigger” as its single.  The six members of the Brooklyn group create an always interesting, collaborative sound under frontman David Longstreth.

4. “Hidden” – Erika Spring

Erika Spring of Brooklyn’s synth pop band Au Revoir Simone strikes out solo with a self-titled EP.  This single “Hidden” features Jorge Elbrecht of Violens on percussion (he also produced the songs), with Spring’s dreamy vocals finding a new path for her musical ambition.

5. “Apocalypse Dreams” – Tame Impala

Australian pysch rock band Tame Impala’s sophomore album Lonerism, is due in October, but the group released “Apocalypse Dreams” as a free download to its eager fans.  It’s a journey into their fuzzed out soundscape with a few musical twists to keep things fresh.

6. “Would That Not Be Nice” - Divine Fits

Britt Daniels of Spoon and Dan Boeckner of Handsome Furs and Wolfe Parade joined forces to create the new band Divine Fits.  This single of their debut album, A Thing Called Divine Fits, has Daniels’ familiar barking vocals leading the way in a confident pairing of like-minded indie rock musicians.

7. “Summertime Is Coming” – Paul Banks

Interpol’s frontman Paul Bank returns to his side project for another EP, Julian Plenti Lives… although the songs will soon be folded into a full length album simply called Banks.  “Summertime Is Coming” highlights the familiar baritone, finding his swagger alone in the forefront of his own musical vision.

8. “I Won’t Go” – thenewno2

The alt rock band thenewno2’s sophomore album, thefearof missingout, continues with the creative musings of frontman Dhani Harrison (a.k.a. George Harrision’s son).   “I Won’t Go” showcases his snarling vocals and a guitar-centric point of view in songwriting.

9. “Only In My Dreams” – Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti

West coast band Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti revisits an early rock subtext for this tune, “Only In My Dreams.”   The latest album, Mature Themes, expands on the home studio aesthetic of multi-instrumentalist Ariel Pink into a group think partnership.

10. “Who” – David Byrne & St. Vincent

David Byrne continues his crazy work ethic by releasing an album Love This Giant, with Annie Clark, who channels her own iconic persona as St. Vincent.  The quirky texture with Byrne’s distinctive vocals carry the tune with a horn section lending a funky vibe in this single, “Who.”

11. “Sleeping Ute” – Grizzly Bear

12. “Yet Again” – Grizzly Bear

Brooklyn art rock band Grizzly Bear is back after its acclaimed 2009 album, Veckatimest.  “Sleeping Ute” and “Yet Again” illustrate the group’s famed creative aesthetic in their fourth album, Shields.

13. Applesauce – Animal Collective

Experimental psych band Animal Collective is back with their eleventh album, Centipede Hz.  “Applesauce” is a fun romp from the prolific group originally based in Baltimore, and each member has their own side project to keep them busy as well.

14. “Old Friend” – Sea Wolf

Indie folk artist Alex Brown Church has created four releases as Sea Wolf, channeling a laid back persona for a catalogue of intimate songs.   “Old Friend” is a sweet tune over an intricate percussive backbone and the single off the latest album, Old World Romance.

15. “October” – The Helio Sequence

“October” is the single off Negotiations, the fifth full length album from this alt rock duo based near Portland. Brandon Summer (vocals) and Benjamin Weikel (drums/keyboards) put together a space out jam that glides along after the ethereal guitar intro.

16. “Alruccabah” – Nickodemus

Music Producer Nickodemus fosters a world view in the dance music scene after growing up amid the many cultures found in New York City.  “Alruccabah” is off his third album, Moon People, which includes many of his favorite collaborators such as Afrika Bambaataa, The Real Live Show, and Belleruche.

Sea Wolf Rehearsal Video for New Song "Old Friend"

In anticipation of their upcoming album, Old World Romance, indie band Sea Wolf has released a video for the lead off track "Old Friend." The percussive intro instantly intrigues the listener and I've already picked it for my next New Music Playlist. The rest of the album is full of the solid songwriting skills of frontman Alex Church, allowing things to build with time in nuanced arrangements of subdued musical moments.  Church is a California native who first hit the scene as a part of the dreamy psychedelic pop band Irving in 1998, until he began to create home recordings under the moniker Sea Wolf in 2003.

Old World Romance is due out September 11, followed by a tour in support of this fourth collection by the group (see dates below).  

SEA WOLF FALL 2012 TOUR:
9/16 Gary Calamar's Mimosa Brunch Series @ Federal Bar, North Hollywood, CA

10/03 Las Vegas, NV 10/04 Pioneertown, CA 10/05 Santa Ana, CA 10/06 Phoenix, AZ 10/07 Tucson, AZ 10/09 Denver, CO 10/11 St. Louis, MO 10/12 Louisville, KY 10/13 Cincinnati, OH 10/14 Columbus, OH 10/15 Pittsburgh, PA 10/16 Asbury Park, NJ 10/17 New York, NY 10/18 New York, NY 10/19 New York, NY 10/20 Boston, MA 10/21 Philadelphia, PA 10/22 Washington, DC 10/23 Toledo, OH 10/24 Chicago, IL 10/25 Milwaukee 10/26 Minneapolis, MN 10/29 Salt Lake City, UT 10/30 Missoula, MT 10/31 Pullman, WA 11/01 Seattle, WA 11/02 Vancouver, BC 11/03 Portland, OR 11/05 San Francisco, CA 11/07 Santa Cruz, CA 11/08 Fresno, CA 11/09 San Diego, CA 11/10 Los Angeles, CA

Late Fall 2009 New Music Playlist

Link to listen here.

1. The Reeling - Passion Pit

Found this one on Alt Nation driving my husband's car w/Sirius radio. I couldn't believe the unabashed 80s sound, reveling in it really! This American band from Cambridge, MA call themselves 'electronic' with their love of synths, why not.

2. Dominos - The Big Pink

With cringe-worth lyrics this song stays i my head and won't let go. One of the members produced The Klaxons at his own record label so there's the catchy tune reference.

3. Mistake - Moby
4. Shot In the Back of the Head - Moby

5. Pale Horses - Moby

6. Division - Moby

This new CD from my homie Moby (he grew up in the Big D of Darien before calling himself a New Yorker) was hailed for it's introspective nature but it still has some funky grooves to please the dance crowd. Had a hard time wittlling down the songs listed!

7. I'm a Pilot - Fanfarlo
8. Ghosts - Fanfarlo

9. Harold T. Wilkins - Fanfarlo

10. The Walls Are Coming Coming Down - Fanfarlo

My fave new band (meaning I bought their entire release and enjoy it often) though sometimes they plod along with way too much going on -- it's always interesting at least. Had to throw a few tunes on the list...

11. (If You're Wondering If I want You To) I Want You To - Weezer

The first single off the new Weezer release, blasting another romp that is still irresistable. Holding out for the rest of the CD that'll be under the tree with the Weezer snugglie and with the band going off a cliff in their tour bus traveling icy roads recently, I'm ever the more thankful for the new release.

12. Out of the Blue - Julian Casablancas
13. 11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas

Lead singer of The Strokes strikes out on his own to sound like The Strokes which isn't exactly a bad thing. I'm thinking I need that Christmas song he recorded too, but I have to buy the entire album which doesn't offer much of a variety in its offerings.

14. The Right - Lou Barlow

I actually remember his Sebadoh band in the 90s -- BUYING A CD to be able to hear a fav song of the time. He's also a member of Dinasaur Jr. Like the easy feel of this track, sticks with you.

15. Say Please - Monsters of Folk

Proclaimed as and American 'Supergroup' with Jim James of My Morning Jacket bleating out the vocals, this song rocks along nicely.

16. His Master's Voice/Monsters of Folk

Another track to indulge in and contemplate the lyrics as well.

17. Wicked Blood - Sea Wolf

Not exactly brand new, but hadn't gotten this dreamy tune on a playlist yet. It's led by NYU Film School grad Alex Brown Church who's now making L.A. his home. Also a founding member of late 90s band Irving.

18. The Getaway (U.S. Radio Mix) - Athlete

Looked hard for a track I liked on their new release since this band is usually too accessible in taste. But you gotta like how the band has been friends since 14 as I can imagine the band that practiced in my basement might travel the same course!