An Invariable Sh*t Ton of New Music

 Here are 21 new and relatively new tracks for the coming week.

enjoy...

1. Toro Y Moi - “Buffalo”

2. Kilo Kish - “Curious (Le Flex Remix)

3. All We Are - “Utmost Good”

4. SILICON - “God Emoji”

5. Tame Impala - “'Cause I'm A Man”

6. Caribou - “Can't Do Without”

7. danglo - “Swept Away (Farrow Remix)

8. Slime – My Company

9. Wild Beasts – "Woebegone Wanderers II”

10. Guster - “Doin' It By Myself”

11. Swimm - “Beverly Hells”

12. Blur - “Too Many Of Us”

13. Boy & Bear - “Southern Sun”

14. Gengahr - “Heroine"

15. The National – “Sunshine On My Back"

16. Suuns and Jerusalem in My Heart - “Gazelles In Flight”

17. George FitzGerald - “Crystallize (feat. Lawrence Hart)”

18. Dave DK - “Whitehill (feat. Piper Davis)”

19. Love Over Entropy - “Tonii (Dixon Retouch)

20. Cesare - “Impanema Beach House Full Mix)

21. Tom Vek - “Dirty Water”

My Five Song Playlist

1.

"Twentytwofourteen" - The Album Leaf (In A Safe Place)

Starting off the playlist is "Twentytwofourteen" by The Album Leaf. Much like the band Tortoise, I feel like a lot of Indie acts today owe much to this band. Especially those in the Indietronica genre. Formed in 1998 by Jimmy LaValle, The Album Leaf are one of those acts that know their sound so well that they seem to only put out immaculate and concise albums. They have such a sweet atmosphere that blends electronic elements with traditional rock sensibilities all the while punctuated by LaValle's heavy use of the Rhodes Piano. "Twentytwofourteen" is a quiet journey that builds, swells then softly fades away.

2.

"Fatima" - Thieves Like Us (Bleed Bleed Bleed)

Named after a New Order song, Thieves Like Us carry on the same vein of moody, synth-heavy music of their namesake. 'Fatima' is blend of vintage rock & roll embellished by synthesizers and drum machines. I used to love listening to this track walking to work in the pre-twilight hours when I lived in San Francisco. The textural quality to the repetitive baseline provide by a synthesizer seemed to fit the grungy urban setting and the reverb heavy guitars suited the emptiness of the streets. It's hard to say which track I like the most off of Bleed Bleed Bleed, but gun to my head, I'd have to say 'Fatima'.

3.

"Just What I Needed" - The Cars (The Cars)

I grew up on The Cars. Both my parents were big fans of the band and thanks to them I was able to acquire an eclectic taste in music."Just What I Needed" is a great love song. I always like when songs about love dance around the admittance of feelings. Probably because that's how I often feel about romantic urges. The line, "I don't mind you coming here and wasting all my time", seems like a weird way to say you like someone, but it's fully realized when he admits "I guess you're just what I needed". The song is great for many reason, the guitars, the lyrics and, for me, the synthesizer work by Greg Hawkes.

4.

"That Was Just A Dream / Zap Zap" - Cut Copy (Bright Like Neon Love)

Cut Copy always reminds me of my "file sharing days" back in the early 2000's. This was before they were big internationally and I couldn't find their music on iTunes let alone at a record store. I don't exactly remember where I heard this Australian band, but I knew I had to hear more. They're a lot of fun and you can definitely hear their roots in club music and EDM. Much like Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We are the Champions", "That Was Just A Dream" and "Zap Zap" go together as a single composition. So, I guess it's kind of a cheat to include them as one song, but it's my blog I do what I want. ;)

5.

"Colony Glenn" - Gardens & Villa (Dunes)

 I've seen Gardens & Villa perform live twice and they're of the seemingly rare variety of popular music acts that sound perfect live. 'Colony Glenn' was the second single off of Dunes and after hearing it I couldn't wait to hear the whole album. I mean, what's not to love about that opening synth-line? While I enjoyed their more slower songs like 'Chemtrails', 'Black Hills' & 'Orange Blossoms', 'Colony Glenn' is so dance-worthy it's hard not to like it.

The Music Videos of Metronomy's 'Love Letters'

One of my favorite albums from 2014. Metronomy's 'Love Letters' is not only a great album full of great songs, but also a great album with great music videos.

Here are the music videos from 'Love Letters'.

"The Upsetter" - dir. David Rabinovitch

  

My favorite music video from 'Love Letters'. 'The Upsetter' plays like a short story about a feral person, marooned in the forest who constructs a companion from nature. The video suits the longing and loneliness of the song and the Miyazaki homages are amazing. The director provides some interesting insights into the making of the video (which can be seen here.)

"I'm Aquarius" - dir. Edouard Salier

The video for 'I'm Aquarius' is a throwback to Retrofutura of the 60's and it fits the vintage sound of the track. Salier tried to create the video using traditional, non-digital means and there is a nice making of video courtesy of The Creator's Project (which can be seen here.) I like the lyrics of the song because they're very cheeky, which is something Metronomy is known for. 

"Month of Sundays" - dir. Callum Cooper

Playing out like a live-action M.C. Escher drawing, 'Month of Sundays' is a kaleidoscopic visual masterpiece. It's my second favorite video for 'Love Letters' and it's a great song. Callum Cooper is a brilliant visual artist and his other work is worth taking a look at.

"Reservoir" - dir. Daniel Brereton

 Following in the retro style of the album and other videos, 'Reservoir' is a fun video that slips into a Yellow Submarine-esque, psycheledelic trip. Requiring seven animators and I'm sure a lot of time, the video more or less fits the song well. Brereton has worked with the band in its former incarnation on two other videos (which can be seen here and here.)

"Love Letters" - dir. Michel Gondry

Directed by one of my all-time favorite directors Michel Gondry. 'Love Letters' is the title track off the album and the video is like that of the 60's or early-70's. It almost reminds me of something from a Krofft Brothers production or a kid themed Variety Show. Although, it's not my favorite song off the album, the video is definitely note worthy. Even if it's just because of who directed it.

Song of the Day

"Crest" - Tortoise (It's All Around You)

Tortoise is one of those bands that have been around for a long time and I still find it difficult to find people who've heard of them. Their music can only be described as "atmospheric" and you can hear their influence in a lot of bands today. I don't think you could have a band like Tycho without Tortoise. 'Crest' is a track that is transformative of the music listening experience. It sends you into other galaxies, all the while inverting your attention towards inner worlds. 

My Five Song Playlist

(Songs randomly assembled by Spotify or iTunes.)

1.

"Ode to Viceroy" - Mac Demarco (2)

 With strung out guitars and lazy-eyed vocals, 'Ode To Viceroy' is Mac Demarco's love proclamation to Viceroy brand cigarettes. The guitars are what I like the most about this track. They're in an off-kilter Indie Pop style that Demarco has deemed "Jizz Jazz", which is altogether fitting with its grungy yet melodic sound. Demarco is like that greasy guy who you discredit as just being another hipster junky until he picks up a guitar and starts singing. There's a nonchalance about him that betrays the thoughtfulness and sensitivity of his music.

 2.

"Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow" - Strawberry Alarm Clock (Incense & Peppermints)

This track definitely hails from my hardcore stoner days(daze). Every Strawberry Alarm Clock song is like a drug trip that skips the scary shit and cuts to the mellow, cool experiences. With lyrics featuring lines about "mushroom dreams" and "distorted dreams", It's pretty obvious what this song is about. I don't really have to say much about 'Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow', it pretty much speaks for itself. 

Smoke 'em, if you got 'em.

3.

"Sneakin' Out the Hospital" - Beastie Boys (Hello Nasty)

Hello Nasty always reminds me of cruising with my older brother in his Mitsubishi Gallant looking for trouble. Three years separated my twin brother and I from my older brother, so in a lot of ways we looked to him for "guidance", and above all, music. The dark, mellow and trippy feel of this song did well to punctuate nights aimlessly driving around looking for a new skate spot. Mix Master Mike definitely knew how to assemble a mighty beat that could easily stand on its own.

4.

"Saturnine" - Polaris (Music from the Adventure of Pete & Pete)

The Adventures of Pete & Pete is easily my favorite Nickelodeon program. Everything about the show was quirky and very much of the 90's era. Aside from the bizarre storylines and strange characters, I always remember the music. The creators of the show had a way of imbuing each episode with an odd sense of nostalgia and the sound of the "fake band" Polaris was a perfect match. The nuances of each song are impeccable and the lyrics were far more mature than you'd expect from a kids show. I love that this song opens with the line, "There's only roses in here" and then goes on to talk about being a relationship with someone who just isn't on the same level as you emotionally. I was happy when this album was released back in 1999 and it's been on every playlist I've created since.

5.

"Madagascar" - LAKE (Let's Build A Roof)

I honestly have no idea what this song is about, but it's hella mellow and I'm pretty much sold on that all by itself. I think it's about making music or getting fucked up or both, but it's a groovy track with a great melody and laidback vocals. Everything about this song is in the right place and that's pretty much true about all of LAKE's music. If you're looking for kick-back music, this is your band.

"I'll Be There [US Mix]" - Chic (Official Music Video)

Disco is alive and well, thanks in part to the success of the Daft Punk's polarizing album 'Random Access Memories' which featured Chic Guitarist & Super Producer Nile Rodgers. Rodgers who has stood out of the spotlight after the "Fall of Disco", helping such acts as Duran Duran, David Bowie and Madonna, returns to resurrect his band Chic. The music video for the first single 'I'll Be There [US Mix]' directed by Inez & Vinoodh uses both archival & original footage blended together to create a dance party of both the past and the present. I cannot wait for the new album It's About Time, set to be released sometime in June.

Song of the Day

"Trem de Doido" - Lô Borges feat. Milton Nascimento (Clube da Esquina)

This track is utterly beautiful. I first heard 'Trem De Doido" listening to the João Gilberto radio on Pandora years ago and it's stuck with me ever since. The surreal lyrics speak of a train and a journey and the title itself roughly translates as "Train of the Crazies". Even without understanding the meaning of the words, the music tonality and Borges's voice convey the somber and existential nature of the song. It's definitely one of my all time favorite songs.

Lyrics:

Noite azul, pedra e chão Amigos num hotel Muito além do céu Nada a temer, nada a conquistar Depois que esse trem começa andar, andar Deixando pelo chão Os ratos mortos na praça Do mercado Quero estar, onde estão Os sonhos desse hotel Muito além do céu Nada a temer, nada a combinar Na hora de achar meu lugar no trem E não sentir pavor Dos ratos soltos na casa Minha casa Não precisa ir muito além dessa estrada Os ratos não sabem morrer na calçada É hora de você achar o trem E não sentir pavor Dos ratos soltos na casa Sua casa.

Blue Night, and stone floor Friends in a hotel Beyond the sky Nothing to fear , nothing to win After this train starts walking , walking Leaving the ground The dead mice in the square market I want to be , where they are Dreams of this hotel Beyond the sky Nothing to fear , nothing to match Time to find my place in the train And do not dread Of mice loose in the house my house No need to go far beyond this road Rats know not die on the sidewalk It's time to find the train And do not dread Of mice loose in the house Your home.