Chlöe Howl is a newcomer out of the UK, whose debut single “No Strings” is sure to strike a chord with many. Hard to believe the singer is only 17 years old given the track’s explicit content; but there’s no denying the catchiness — or verity of the theme — of this well-crafted pop song.
With all this love you’re unprotecting,
I’d hate to think of what you’re collecting …
When the official new video for Electric Guest’s “The Bait” came across my inbox the other day, I was excited to give it a viewing (not always the case). Having seen the LA band live a few months back — I was aware of the group’s dynamic performance energy (frontman Asa Taccone can seriously dance!) — so I had a feeling it would be good.
The vid did not disappoint, as it is something of a cross between a Newsies number and scene from the musical Oliver. Off their 2012 debut album, Mondo, don’t be surprised if you find yourself snapping and tapping along to this one.
And if you can’t get enough, here’s a rad remix by French producers Michael Creange and WEKEED.
Henry Krinkle, for your ambient listening on repeat.
More notable tracks/artists from 2012 that frequented my playlists.
1. Y Luv – Never Touch the Ground
2. Kimbra – Settle Down
3. Poolside – Why You Wanna
4. Solange – Losing You
5. Two Door Cinema Club – Sun
6. Local Natives – Breakers
7. Gabrielle Aplin – Please Don’t Say You Love Me (Cyril Hahn Remix)
8. The Dig – I Already Forgot Everything You Said
9. MNDR – Feed Me Diamonds (RAC Mix)
10. Odesza – How Did I Get Here
Now that I’m back from abroad, I’m amped to finally be sharing my list of stand-out indie tracks from the last year!
In no particular order, below are my top 50 artists and/or tracks of 2012. Since I started blogging midway through the year, some of these artists have been honored with a post prior and some have not. Thus for the sake of diversifying, in some cases the featured track below is not necessarily my favorite but a varying version of the original or new track entirely (but equally adored, obv).
1. Alpine – Hands
2. Little Dragon – Ritual Union
3. Trails & Ways – Border Crosser (Seshen Remix)
4. Air Traffic Controller – You Know Me
5. Electric Guest – This Head I Hold (their cover of Little Dragon’s Ritual Union is a must-listen as well)
6. Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch – Sweet Nothing
7. Beat Culture – Useless
8. Tennis – Origins
9. Tanlines – S.A.W.
10. Beach House – Myth
11. Blackbird Blackbird – Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush Cover)
12. Dems – Down on You (Hannes Fischer Remix)
13. Charli XCX – I’ll Never Know
14. Lord Huron – The Stranger
15. Ellie Goulding – Figure 8 (Alias Mix)
16. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) – Tapes & Money
17. Flight Facilities – Clair de Lune (ft. Christine Hoberg)
18. Wild Belle – It’s Too Late
19. Dirty South & Alesso – City of Dreams
20. Alt-J – Something Good
21. Bumblebeez – Next to You
22. St. Lucia – Closer Than This
23. Crystal Castles – Wrath of God
24. Sky Ferreira – Everything is Embarrassing
25. Ben Howard – The Fear (Moonlight Matters Rework)
26. No Ceremony/// – Feelsolow
27. The 1975 – You
28. Ultraista – Smalltalk
29. The Zolas – Knot In My Heart
30. Southern Shores – New Love
31. Django Django – Default
32. AlunaGeorge – You Know You Like It (Bondax Remix)
33. Dan Croll – From Nowhere
34. Germany Germany – With You (ft. Kotomi)
35. Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks (The Knocks Remix)
36. Sun Airway – Close
37. Grimes – Genesis
38. Youth Lagoon – Daydream
39. Miike Snow – Bavarian #1 (Say You Will)
(Track begins at 3:05)
40. Wild Child – The Tale of You & Me
41. The Naked and Famous – Young Blood
42. Dwntwn – See My Eyes
43. Passion Pit – Take A Walk
44. Beat Connection – Think/Feel (ft. Chelsey Scheffe)
45. Grizzly Bear – Sleeping Ute
46. Years & Years – I Wish I Knew
47. MS MR – Hurricane
48. Kindness – House
49. Hot Chip – How Do You Do (Todd Terje remix)
50. Wild Cub – Thunder Clatter
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
These tracks also received a considerable amount of air time on my playlist this year.
1. The Xx – Sunset
2. Bloc Party – Truth
3. Cat Power – Ruin
4. Adventure Club – Retro City (Bronze Whale Remix)
5. Panama – It’s Not Over
6. Santigold – Disparate Youth
7. Phebe Starr – Alone With You
8. Viceroy – Chase Us Around – (Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver Remix)
9. U-Tern – You Don’t Know Me
10. The Establishment – Love Like This
Traveling abroad in Australia right now, hence the lack of posts as of late. Thought I’d drop by though to share one of my favorite songs from 2012 by Charli XCX, which just happens to be the perfect soundtrack for the beach.
Incidentally, the english artist just finished a tour with St. Lucia this fall in the US and Australia (alas, prior to the SL concert I saw and my own adventures down under). Close your eyes for this one and the synths may just transport you to your own tropical island.
Perusing the music blogs this weekend, stumbled upon this retro pop ditty over at EMPT. Don’t know much about the Australian outfit Bumblebeez, but they are sure to catch lots of buzz as the featured track of the latest Lacoste ad with their song “Next To You.”
The actual video is a montage of romantic scenes from classic films like the one above (which, I’m a sucker for as we’ve established). Listen and languish in the sweet vibes of this irresistible tune below.
I don’t know what it is you’ve done to me,
but it feels so fresh just like a summer breeze.
Now I just know I want you close to me.
I just want to be next to you
I just want to be good to you.
I just want to be.
South African-born artist Jean-Philip Grobler, aka St. Lucia released his debut EP September this September. However, I first fell in love with his sound upon hearing the single “Closer Than This” last spring. Having traveled around the world with a choir in his youth and later honing his musical sensibilities across the pond, the electro-indie artist now produces his signature shimmering synths out of Brooklyn.
St. Lucia will actually be performing in D.C. this Thursday, December 13th at U Street Music Hall with British producer Alex Metric for the All Things Gold party. Should be a fun event – so if you have nothing better to do and enjoy these ditties as much as I do – go check it out.
I’ve got a feeling we will never get closer than this
I can’t imagine there’s a way to get closer than this
The enigmatic, New York-based duo MS MR released their debut EP, Candy Bar Creep Show this September via tumblr. Check out these dark pop gems “Hurricane” and “Ash Tree Lane” below; and for those who live in the DC area, note that they will be opening up for GROUPLOVE at 9:30 Club December 18.
poetry in an empty coke can 