So these are the 25 best tracks from 2011 since the [Spring Mix]. There were a few songs that were great enough to make the list, but I pushed them over into the new No Boys Allowed mix which should be coming out soon. I didn't want to double up on the songs - kinda a pet peeve of mine.
Without further ado, let's get to it. The song order reflects how I'd like the mix listened too and not the song ranking.
[Jump to Full Playlist]
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| [iTunes / Band Site] |
This song is just growing on me more and more. It's the perfect opener for this mix. When the fuck is Lupercalia going to be released!? Oh yeah, in 3 weeks. Can't freaking wait.
Really hard choosing between 'Do it Again', 'Say My Name', and this jam. I wish I could have just put all three in here.
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| [iTunes / Band / 7digital] |
Ugh....uh.....ugh...uh...ugh..uhh-I scream, you scream, we scream for ice cream. This song pretty much blends up 30 styles of music, tempos, and even multiple songs in some sort of ridiculousness-blender and they fucking called it 'Ice Cream.' I mean, holy shit, mind blown by this song. This is one of those songs that you can just listen to over and over again and pick up a new piece every time.
Make sure you watch the [video].
Now the singles that go along with this song, 'China' and 'Talking Like I'm Falling Downstairs' are both really great, 'Mary' takes the cake. This song just builds in intensity and will leave you shouting 'Mary' as well.
Keep Reading for the next 20.
It was hard choosing between Truth, A Million Years, and Glimpses. Actually, the entire album is really sick so make sure you check it out.
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| [Amazon / iTunes] |
This is what teenage-angst-rock should be! This song starts out harmless enough sounding almost Weezerish with the first few chords and then just blows up out of nowhere. These Georgians have gone and made me a huge fan with just one song.
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| [Amazon / 7digital / iTunes] |
The English Riviera is an album you should get now! It is full of amazing songs that are just so chill and laid back. If you're more into singles, check out their second single The Look and my other personal favorite Everything Goes My Way.
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| [Amazon / 7digital / iTunes] |
2009's Hopsice seem to come out of nowhere and take the music blogosphere by storm with songs like Kettering, Sylvia, and Two. With Every Night it seems the men with the horns have done it again.
So much has been said about Fleet Foxes since their 2008 self titled. I just saw this album for sale in Starbucks and proudly proclaiming "Most anticipated album of 2011." Well...I wouldn't go that far, but definitely a great album and a great song.
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| [Bandcamp] |
Did you think jj's Ecstacy off 2009s jj n°2 was that years summer jam? Well, your in luck. Sweden has produced another effervescent, washed out, summer song that kinda drills into the back of your head and won't leave. This is the type of song you wake up in the morning humming, but the exact tune escapes you, floating just beyond your reach. So you have to fire up the music player and put this on repeat as you get ready for the day.
He wrote for 30 rock, he stars in Community, and now he is a famous rapper? Dude is seriously trying for in EGOT.
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| [Amazon / 7digital / iTunes] |
Woodkid aka Yoann Lemoine previously worked behind the scenes directing videos for the likes of Yelle, Moby, and Katy Perry. He also directed this incredible video.
The horns remind me a lot of Beethoven's 7th Symphony in A Major (the song used as a leitmotif in Tarsem's incredible film The Fall and later in the final scene of King's Speech) and his voice reminds me of Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons) but with a little less vibrato.
I used to think the National were a bit over rated but this song may have swayed my opinion. Also, drop a note if you've played Portal 2 because it looks insanely fun but I want to make sure before I spend $60. I loved the first game - just wished it were a little longer and that sounds exactly like what P2 is.
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| [Lastfm] |
Cover of the classic.
The Weeknd is toronto based R&B singer Abel Resfaye who released his 'mixtape' recently to many indiegasms over the internet. This is a full album, and it's fully good.
Cannot get this one out of my head. The Brooklynites released two tracks from the Odd Blood sessions for Record Store Day. The songs are no Madder Red or O.N.E. but they will satiate your appetite while you wait patiently for their next album.
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| [Bandcamp] |
Light, sweet, floating melodies akin to Belle and Sebastian with the musical instrumentation of the Mamas & the Papas - it's easy to see how they came about their name. This is the type of band that feels like they've been playing together for decades and borrowing a little 50s pop, 60s ballads, and 70s folk along the way.
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| [Amazon / iTunes] |
When I think of a summer song, this is the type that comes to mind. Perfect type of tune to sit by the summer lake with some friends and drinks.
Still one of the best albums of 2011. It is absolutely fantastic. I can't say enough good things about it. And yes, this Melanie Laurent is the same one who played Shosanna Dreyfus in Inglorius Basterds as the undercover, nazi-killing badass. Plus Damien Rice as the producer? Not sure how this could get any cooler.
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| [Amazon / iTunes] |
New Wild Beasts. As good as old Wild Beasts? Dunno yet. Old Wild Beasts had to grow on me until Hooting & Howling and We Still Got the Taste of Dancing on Our Tongues became some of my favorite songs.
This is the music of a fading dream about a late seventies roller skating rink where the local teenagers go to blow off steam under a stream of glittering lights and laughter. Or is it an 80s discotheque filled with lonely strangers looking to postpone going home through a few hours of unfettered fun?
The beauty about this song is its inability to stay in one place. Chad Valley makes these liquid beats that flow under and over the chorus. Whatever the scenario in his head, Fast Challenges is meant to be played late at night after the rowdiness has settled down and couples have started making their ways to dark corners.
Chad Valley - Equatorial Ultravox - 05 Fast Challenges by CASCINE
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| [so fresh they ain't even on the internetz yet] |
This is a legit song from a brand spanking new band. I can't even find a website for them yet. But I guarantee they will blow up. This song is just that fucking good.
Foster the People are here with their first full length album, Torches, after blowing away the blogosphere with the single 'Pumped Up Kicks.' I can see 'Helena Beat' doing the same thing for 2011.
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| [Amazon / 7digital / iTunes] |
I'm from Barcelona have put out a really great pop album. And this is a perfect feel good singalong style song to wrap up this mix.
And you know what - SoundCloud doesn't want me to upload this single. But it's on Grooveshark, so just listen to it when you're chillin' through the full playlist. Or ya know, you could just buy it.
Check out the band Dawes from L.A. Their new album, Nothing is Wrong, is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteGood looking out, will do.
ReplyDelete