Spring 2023 New Music Playlist

 Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "The Fringe" – Cheekface

2. "Back 2 It" – Teen Daze
3. "Weightless" – Arlo Parks
4. "Zephyr" – TOBACCO

5. "Wrong Side" – Tourist Activities
6. "Unholy Appetite" – Barrie
7. "Wings of Time" – Tame Impala
8. "Gold" – Ivan & Alyosha
9. "Thinking About You" – Beck
10. "Goodbye to Music" – Flyying Colours
11. "My Love is Like" – Maps
12. "Night Fell" – Hibou
13. "Echolalia" – Yves Tumor

14. "That Life" – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
15. "Love in the Void" – Hammock
16. "amb23 -3" – Moby

Late Summer 2021 New Music Playlist

Listen on Spotify, enjoy!

1. "About U"  –  Roosevelt

2. "Truth"  –  Jungle

3. "Peach"  –  Future Islands

4. "Toast"  –  Pond

5. "Weekend Run"  –  Unknown Mortal Orchestra

6. "For Every Voice that Never Sang"  –  Kishi Bashi

7. "Polaris"  –  Daman Albarn

8. "Galacticana"  –  Strand of Oaks

9. "Only Love"  –  Tycho, Ben Gibbard

10. "Beautiful Beaches"  –  James

11. "Across that Fine Line"  –  Nation of Language

12. "Fulton"  –  Steve Gunn

13. "Work This Hard"  –  Caveman

14. "Back to Oz"  –  Sufjan Stevens, Angelo De Augustine

15. "Genuine Hesitation"  –  Mathew E. White

16. "Touch Returned (iii)"  –  Eluvium

Summer 2016 New Music Playlist

The season is in full swing with the Fourth of July behind us so here’s a playlist of new tunes to add to your summer soundtrack. There’s another single from Beck teasing his next album and others from Glass Animals, Blind Pilot and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.  A debut by onDeadWaves is perfectly chill while indie rockers Parquet Courts, Deerhoof and Wolf Parade return to kick things up a gear. Then things mellow out with ambient tracks by Gold Panda, Hammock, CFCF.  Listen on Spotify or as a YouTube Playlist (without Deerhoof or the new Kinobe remix however).

1. “Life Itself” – Glass Animals

English indie rock band Glass Animals is ready to release a sophomore album, How to Be a Human, with this rhythmic single “Life Itself” leading the way. Singer Dave Bayley grew up in Texas with dreams of becoming a doctor, but that fell by the wayside after forming this unique quartet in 2012.

2. “Moods” – Sonny & The Sunsets

San Francisco’s Sonny & The Sunsets brings a quirky Californian vibe to “Moods.”  Led by Sonny Smith, this kooky tune is found on his eleventh album, Moods Baby Moods.

3. “Umpqua Rushing” – Blind Pilot

Indie folk band Blind Pilot is a six-piece based in Portland that will soon drop its third album since 2005, And Then Like Lions.  The single “Umpqua Rushing” confidently ushers in the new collection with the soulful singing of Israel Nebeker.

4. “Community of Hope” – PJ Harvey

English writer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist PJ Harvey has released her ninth studio album since 1992, The Hope Six Demolition Project. “Community of Hope,” originally one of her poems, is a rallying cry condemning urban development in D.C.

5. “First World Problem” – Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Portland’s psych rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra was formed by New Zealander Ruban Nielson in 2010.  This stand-alone single, “First World Problem,” brings another irresistible and funky ode to modern love. (See last year’s “I Can’t Keep Checking My Phone” picked for my Summer 2015 New Music Playlist!)

6. “Plastic Thrills” – Deerhoof

San Francisco based experimental rock band Deerhoof has released its 13^th studio album since 2009, The Magic. The quartet’s dense textures are anchored by the wavering vocals of Satomi Matsuzaki.

7. “If You Should See” – Wye Oak

“If You Should See” is a standout track from Tween, the fifth album since 2006 from Baltimore’s Wye Oak. The duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack create lush arrangements that swirl sonically.

8. “The Pool” – Papertwin

Brooklyn based trio Papertwin’s third studio release Vacation acknowledges a variety of influences, from The Cure to Gillian Welch. “The Pool” is synth heavy but doesn’t dwell in the past.

9. “Past Lives” – Local Natives

In September, L.A. based indie rock band Local Natives will release its third album, Sunlit Youth. The single “Past Lives” is a musical journey all its own, from the opening cry of “Save Me” to the layered sonic romp that follows.

10. “California” ­– onDeadWaves

This new band formed by British singer-songwriter Polly Scattergood and James Chapman of Maps has released a self-titled debut album full of laid-back shoegaze. “California” is an ode to the U.S. West Coast and a perfect summer song.

11. “Dust” – Parquet Courts

NYC rock quartet Parquet Courts concoct more high energy punk tunes in its fifth studio album since 2010, Human Performance. This fun catchy song “Dust” is a witty take on city living.

12. “Floating World” – Wolf Parade

Canadian indie rock band Wolf Parade was formed in Montreal in 2003, yet it’s just back after a five year hiatus – the new self-titled EP (like the three before it) effortlessly brings the original scrappy sound back to life.

13. “Wow” – Beck

West Coast musical wunderkind Beck released a second single, “Wow,” from his forthcoming album due in October that is three years in the making (some songs predate the 2014 Grammy-winning Morning Phase). Cited influences include The Strokes and the Talking Heads, plus a yearning for communal hands-in-the-air concert moments.

14. “Slip Into Something More Comfortable – Psychemagik Late Nite Remix” – Kinobe

English electronic music duo Kinobe have been on the scene since 1998, most recently with remixes of the song “Slip Into Something More Comfortable.” Julius Waters and Dave Pemberton are known to take a ten-piece touring band out of the studio on the road in order to recreate studio compositions.

15. “In My Car”­ – Gold Panda

Gold Panda is a British electronic record producer, performer and composer who has performed since 2009. His recent third album, Good Luck and Do Your Best, is filled with ambient tracks such as the lilting tune “In My Car.”

16. “Reverence” – Hammock

Nashville’s Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson use a combination of live instrumentation and electronic beats for their musical project since 2005, known as Hammock.  Its ninth album Everything and Nothing includes delicate ambient songs such as “Reverence.”

17. “In the Courtyard”  – CFCF

CFCF is the stage name of Canadian electronic musician and vocalist Michael Silver. (Based in Montreal, the name is derived from the city’s television station CFCF-TV.) “In the Courtyard” is a lovely drifting composition from its fifth album since 2009, On Vacation.

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

Spring 2015 New Music Playlist

While it’s not officially the next season, at least we’ll be springing forward with Daylight Savings Time to warm our freezing cold hearts (especially here in the Northeast). Songs of love lost and love found — or just being a fool for love — encourage traditional thoughts of the season with new tunes by Father John Misty, Lord Huron and Emile Haynie. Dance floor favorites Hot Chip and Dan Deacon are on the playlist, ready to get the party going, while veteran bands Blur, Death Cab for Cutie and Sleater-Kinney return to the scene proclaiming their distinct sounds. Check out this and more on Spotify or as a YouTube playlist.

1. “Huarache Lights” – Hot Chip

British electronic band is ready to release its sixth album, Why Make Sense? As introduced by a robotic vocal, “Huarache Lights” has all classic vigor of a pulsating light show staged by this group that has been ready to party since 2000.

2.  “First Light” – Django Django

Django Django, an arty rock band based in London, brings a playful approach with layered vocals, electronics and hand percussion. “First Light” is a teaser single for its sophomore album, Born Under Satan.

3. “Go Out” – Blur

A cancelled festival in Tokyo brought the band together with time to kill, so lucky Blur fans can look forward to the first new album since 2003, The Magic Whip. Guitarist Graham Coxon provides the magic ingredient to the original U.K. line up in the searing song, “Go Out.”

4. “A New Wave” – Sleater-Kinney

Riot grrl trio Sleater-Kinney is back with its intensity intact after a ten-year absence with an eighth album, No Cities to Love. The band was originally formed in Olympia, Washington back in 1994.

5. “Waiting Around For Grace” – POND

Australian band POND is ready with a sixth album, Man It Feels Like Space Again, produced by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala (the two groups actually share members).  This collaborative music project has an ever-changing line up which embraces all things psych rock in “Waiting Around For Grace.”

6.  “California Nights” – Best Coast

“California Nights” is the title track of the third album by L.A. surf pop duo Best Coast. The band has encompassed lo-fi production and the warm vocals of songwriter and guitarist Bethany Cosentino since 2009.

7. “Black Sun” – Death Cab for Cutie

“Black Sun” is the first single for the eighth studio album from Seattle’s Death Cab for Cutie, Kintsugi.  The band began in 1997 as a solo project for singer/songwriter and guitarist Ben Gibbard, with his signature story telling vocals still paving the way.

8. “Multi-Love” – Unknown Mortal Orchestra

“Multi-Love” is the title track for the third album by this Portland trio, started by singer and guitarist Ruban Nielson in 2010. His falsetto soars over an accessible yet trippy psych rock vibe.

9. “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)” – Father John Misty

Father John Misty is the pseudonym of Josh Tillman, who just released a concept album called I Love You Honey Bear. This sophomore album is filled with heartfelt stories of finding love—the slightly fictionalized couple in “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins),” for example.

10. “Little Ballerina (featuring Rufus Wainwright)” – Emile Haynie

Grammy-winning L.A. producer Emile Haynie pulls from personal experiences of love lost for his debut album, We Fall. The release is full of guest appearances to bring the songs to life, such as the warm, playful vocals of Rufus Wainwright in “Little Ballerina.”

11. “Falling from the Sky” ­ – Calexico

“Falling from the Sky” is the melancholy single for the upcoming ninth studio album from Calexico called Edge of the Sun, featuring Ben Bridell of Band of Horses. The group, based in Tucson, Arizona, formed in 1996 to create Americana indie rock music with Latin and Southwestern country music influences.

12. “Fool for Love” – Lord Huron

L.A.’s Lord Huron is ready to release a sophomore album, Strange Trails, with this teaser single “Fool for Love,” showcasing the band’s American folk leanings since 2010. The group vocals and dense instrumentation infuse this breezy tune about giving into love.

13. “Reconfiguration” – Other Lives

Oklahoma band Other Lives (now based in Portland) brings its folk rock bent to this song from the upcoming third album since 2004, Rituals. Singer Jesse Tabish's vocals weave in and out of the sparse, experimental arrangement in “Reconfiguration.”

14. “I Don’t Want to Let you Down” – Sharon Van Etten

Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten has used her powerhouse voice as a musical calling card since 2009.  This stand-alone single crafts an interlacing melody over a steady foundation of strumming guitars and drums.

15. “Last Rites at the Jane Hotel” – of Montreal

Since founding the band in 1996 in Athens, Georgia, of Montreal frontman/singer Kevin Barnes manifests an instant scene with glam-rock sensibilities tapping into many genres. “Last Rites at the Jane Hotel” is a rambling psych pop song off the thirteenth studio album, Aureate Gloom.

16. “Feel the Lightning” – Dan Deacon

Baltimore’s composer, electronic musician and dance party master Dan Deacon has released an eighth album since 2000, Glass Riffer. He sings and uses vocal manipulation over a confluence of EDM influences, bringing a human element to the track as well as to his popular live shows, so full of audience participation.

17. “Current Carry” – Vetiver

San Francisco’s indie folk band Vetiver will release a sixth album later this month, Complete Strangers.  Singer/songwriter Andy Cabic’s laidback style and introspective lyrics has given the group a voice since 2002.

18. “Courage” – Villagers

Irish folk band Villagers will release a third album in April, Darling Arithmetic.  Singer/songwriter Conor O’Brien’s vulnerable vocals carry the message for the single “Courage.”