Of the singles available, I think "Lucky One" is my favorite but all are worthy of your music-listening-time. Their sound is smooth and mellow, like Wild Nothing or Beach House.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. I can't wait for their album "Moon Tides" release on August 20th!
Wow, it has been an amazing May for new albums! Let's just say, my iTunes bill is not going to be pretty! I'm talking about the new albums from Vampire Weekend, The National, and Daft Punk!!!! All are very different from each other but all are amazing in their own way.
Let's start with "Modern Vampires of the City," Vampire Weekend's new album. I read somewhere that the album touches on the subjects of aging, faith and companionship. There's no way I could come up with that myself, I was never great at understanding poetry... Anyway, I definitely hear the topic of aging a lot in their songs like "Diane Young" and "Don't Lie" because Diane Young is really saying "dying young" and the Don't Lie lyrics say "Don't lie, I want 'em to know, God's love die young, are you ready to go?" But other than that, I'm going with the experts when they say it's about companionship! Other songs from the album to check out from the preppy indie rock band are: "Step," "Ya Hey," and "Unbelievers."
Out this past Monday was The National's "Trouble Will Find Me," which proves to be another fantastic album from the Brooklyn band. I love this band because I will hear a song, on TV or the radio, and know that this is a song from The National. Frontman, Matt Berninger, has such a distinctive voice. The guys were on Sirius XMU this past week, discussing the new album. One story I wanted to share is how on the first day they sat down to start writing this album, the hurricane struck New York City and all of the power went out for days. The first song they wrote, under those circumstances, was "Fireproof," one of my favorites from this album. I don't know if I just enjoy their sadder, dark songs or something but I love it! It sounds like a song you would listen to on a dark, rainy day. If you don't enjoy the dark songs as much as I do, definitely check out "Don't Swallow the Cap". This was the first single they released from the album. It's probably my favorite. Also listen to: "Sea of Love," "I Need My Girl," "Graceless."
Lastly, we have "Random Access Memories" from Daft Punk. The French duo has done it again with their electronic disco sound. I think my favorite songs are the ones collaborated with other artists like Pharrell Williams, Panda Bear and Julian Casablancas. Thomas and Guy-Manuel hooked up with Giorgio Moroder in the song "Giorgio by Moroder" bringing Giorgio's music career back to life! Giorgio was huge in the 70's and 80's. He worked with Donna Summer, Blondie, and David Bowie. Some call him the father of disco, which is obviously why a group like Daft Punk would want to work with him. He was out of the game for a while, but this new track has his phone ringing nonstop. You can read more about his history here.
By far my favorite was the single that was previously released, "Get Lucky (Feat. Pharrell Williams)." I could dance to that song ALL DAY. The end of the album is interesting, it has the voice of what sounds like an astronaut, looking out into space saying "there's something out there." I was wondering if this was on the TRON Album too... but it has a cool sound, like a Ghostland Observatory song. More songs from the album to check out are: "Give Life Back to Music," "Doin' Right (feat. Panda Bear)," "Instant Crush (feat. Julian Casablancas)."
I'm sure you already knew about these albums, but they ARE "What I'm Listening To" right now ;).
There have been a lot of great albums released this year and so many more I am looking forward to hearing! I also got to check out some great bands during SXSW two weeks ago that I hadn't heard of previously. CHVRCHES is a band I have known about for some time, they released "The Mother We Share" last year, which you used to be able to listen to on Spotify but no longer can. Their Recover EP is now available on Spotify and iTunes. I love their song "Recover," it's one that will be stuck in your head all day, but in a good way! I was able to catch their show at The Hype Hotel during SXSW, it was a pretty good show, there's definitely room for growth for this new indie band!
Sir Sly is a band I first heard during their SXSW set at Sonos Studio. You can listen to three of their songs on Spotify right now, I hope they release more soon! They played a great show and I was happy to be front and center for it! They're playing at Mohawk in Austin on 4/27, I would definitely go if you're in the area! Something I'm looking forward to is Cayucas' first album "Bigfoot" that will be available next month. Their single "Cayucos" will definitely be on a summer playlist because of its "beachy" sound. Sadly I missed them at SXSW but hopefully I will get to see them live soon! I was very impressed with the new Shout Out Louds album, "Optica." I can listen through the album in its entirety and it never gets old. My favorite tracks are: "Blue Ice," "Illusions," and "14th of July." And if you're just now hearing about this band, definitely go back 8 years and listen to "Please Please Please" and "Very Loud," the songs that made me love this band.
I can't write about new albums in 2013 and NOT mention Tegan & Sara! They were amazing at ACL 2012!! Cheers to Girl Power music haha if that's what you call it. Heartthrob sounds like their previous albums which some may think is a negative thing but I love their oldies so I therefore love this new album! If you like girl bands, dance music, and shamelessly singing along, go listen to Heartthrob!! My favorites: "Goodbye, Goodbye," "Closer," "I'm Not Your Hero," "Drove Me Wild," "Love They Say" In the words of GOB Bluth, "I've made a huge mistake." I don't know how I could possibly write in here EVERY new album I like thus far for 2013. So here is an abbreviated version of other albums/singles/artists to check out if you have the time. Ra Ra Riot's new album "Beta Love" is great! They were fun at Fader Fort during SXSW as well. Check out "Dance With Me," "Beta Love," and "When I Dream" Atlas Genius' 1st album "When It Was Now" is great — "If So" "Trojans" & "Symptoms" are my favorites Local Natives' new album "Hummingbird" — check out "Heavy Feet" "Breakers" & "Wooly Mammoth" Junip (Jose Gonzalez's band) has a great new single "Line of Fire" Palma Violets is a new band to the scene, I'm loving their song "Best of Friends" right now Autre Ne Veut has great Pitchfork ratings for their new album "Anxiety." My favorite and one you HAVE to listen to is "Play by Play," it will also be in your head all day! Listen to the entire STRFKR album "Miracle Mile." It will definitely get you pumped. This band was AMAZING at Fun Fun Fun Fest last year. The Strokes new album just came out!!! I was so excited for this one. Listen to "Comedown Machine" on Spotify! Obviously I can't wait for The Postal Service 10th Anniversary Edition of "Give Up"! That album just takes me back to a summer on the lake in high school. Oh the good old days ;) VIDEO: The Postal Service "A Tattered Line of String"
My current favorite song comes from Foals' new album, "Holy Fire," called "My Number." The album came out on February 12th, and Pitchfork gave it 7.6 which is promising! If you like bands like Yeasayer, Villagers, or the Editors, I think you will enjoy what Foals has to offer!
"My number" is super catchy, I listen to it over and over and it never seems to get old. Other tracks from the album to check out are "Inhaler" which was the first single the released from the album. "Bad Habit" is great upbeat song while "Late Night" will give you your chill slow song fix.
The album is on Spotify if you want to take a listen! Enjoy!
Needless to say I have been a major slacker at updating this blog. Nevertheless, I have a new favorite song I want everyone to put on their latest Spotify Playlist or what have you. It's called "No Sleep No Dream" by seventeen year old Arizona native, Zella Day.
Zella Day's voice sounds very soft and innocent in the song; however, the instruments keep it upbeat, making me want to listen to it over and over again. She's a singer/songwriter, reminding me of an artist like Sarah Jaffe, whom you should also check out if you haven't already!
Another song of Zella Day's to check out is her version of The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army". Rather than the fun rock version I am accustomed to, Zella Day gives the song a touch of folk rock with an acoustic guitar. Check out her official video here or watch below!
One more thing, while writing this entry, I learned that you can purchase Zella Day's EP "Cynics vs. Dreamers" on iTunes. Enjoy!
Milo Greene just released their debut self-titled album last month. This pop-folk band delivers harmonious tracks that I love to listen to over and over again. If you like bands like Fleet Foxes, The Head and the Heart, or Delta Spirit, then you can't miss out on this LA-based band!
You should definitely listen to the entire album but the songs you can't miss are: "1957," "Don't Give Up on Me," and "What's the Matter."
I would love to see them in a chill setting—at an outdoors venue or music festival. I am very disappointed because I just found out that they will be at Stubbs (Outdoors) on Oct. 13th (ACL Saturday) with Civil Wars and there is no way I will make an ACL Aftershow, seriously, it's impossible. I don't know how people do it.... maybe they will see how awesome Stubbs is and come back to Austin on a headlining tour! A girl can only dream.
Icona Pop's single "I LOVE IT" is my new favorite song to listen to when I'm in the mood to get pumped up or party. It's been on my radar for about 2 months now, thanks to Sirius XMU, but I finally found it on Spotify and therefore listen to it all of the time! My favorite line: "You're from the 70's but I'm a 90's bitch! I don't care. I love it!" -I love it! This band is just another reason why I love what Scandinavia has produced (music-wise) — i.e., Lykke Li, Of Monsters & Men, ROBYN, Peter Bjorn & John, Royksopp, Bjork, Ace of Bass ;) If you haven't checked out some of those bands before, they're definitely worth your time! Royksopp and Bjork are a little out there but most of the others have some mainstream songs that most people can enjoy. I'm leaving you with a classic for all of you "90's bitches" — Ace of Base "The Sign." You are welcome.
