Long before José González made a name for himself as a critically-acclaimed solo artist, he was cutting his teeth with the folk rock group Junip, which consists of the Swedish–Argentine singer-songwriter on vocals/guitar, Elias Araya on drums, and Tobias Winterkorn on the organ/moog. The trio have reunited for another collaboration on their third and self-titled album, which released today. Listen to their single “Your Life, Your Call” below.
José and his hushed pop lay at the heart of Junip, however, with his seductive bossanova sound and haunting vocals ever-present. So hard to pick just a few, but check out a couple of choice solo efforts below — including one of my favorite covers of all time.
Junip will be performing at the Highline Ballroom in New York June 13th, followed by a show at the 930 Club in DC June 15th. For a full list of tour dates, visit their site here.
The Postal Service are back from a long hiatus with a 10th anniversary edition of their immensely popular 2003 debut album, Give Up. Released April 9th last week, the reissue contains a number of rare b-side gems, PS covers and two previously unreleased tracks – “A Tattered Line of String” and most recently “Turn Around” (audio below).
The group that originated as a side project for Death Cab For Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard, Rilo Kiley‘s vocalist Jenny Lewis, and producer Jimmy Tamborello has just embarked on a reunion tour in celebration of the release – the dates of which can be found here. I’m pleased to report that I will be seeing them in June at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, with opener Ra Ra Riot (who I was remiss for having not seen at 930 club!). Kismet.
Also check out the following remix of “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” (on the reissue as well) and one of my favorite original tracks, “Clark Gable.”
I want so badly to believe that there is truth, that love is real And I want life in every word to the extent that it’s absurd.
Ben Howard is the adorable Brit and singer-songwriter, whom I first discovered via this Moonlight Matters Rework of his 2010 single “The Fear.” His debut album, Every Kingdom, released October 2011, and has been steadily climbing the charts ever since — peaking at #4 on the UK Albums Chart in February this year after landing two BRIT Awards.
While it’s hard to stand out in the vast singer-songwriter genre, Ben Howard manages to do so with his unique vocal stylings and haunting musical sensibilities. His sound reminds me of José González, which frankly, the world could use more of.
Upcoming US tour dates include Coachella next weekend, The Fillmore in SF directly thereafter, and then finally at Central Park Summer Stage in NY July 29 after a number of stops abroad (including Glastonbury in June!). Check out “Only Love” below, along with a mellowed out and remarkable rendering of “Call Me Maybe.”
Dan Croll released latest single “Compliment Your Soul” a couple months back, and it just happens to be the perfect feel-good track to compliment your Sunday.
Cayucas is a California-based group, whose namesake is a seaside town in San Luis Obispo with a sound to match. Channeling the likes of Beck and Tame Impala, “High School Lover” is a laidback lo-fi number with a nostalgic feel. Pick up a FREE download of the track off debut album Bigfoot below, which will be out April 1st next week.
I had all but overlooked Ra Ra Riot‘s new album (panned by critics), when whilst on my way to work one morning I heard the following track on the radio and had that old swooning feeling associated with the group’s debut record, The Rhumb Line.
The NY-based group’s third album, Beta Love released January 2013 comes as a departure from their signature chamber/baroque pop sound, which incorporated more string instrumentation and less electronic elements (the cellist recently left the band). “Is It Too Much,” however, hearkens back to their original sound and is a reminder of the group’s sweet and poignant appeal.
Despite the transitional period the band is evidently experiencing, I regret not being able to see them at DC’s 930 Club the day after their album dropped. Hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future, however, as the group navigates their way (and their place) in this brave new electronic era.
Foals first landed on my radar with the release of their debut album, Antidotes in 2008. The indie group from Oxford have been making steady music ever since (particularly prominent in the UK), dropping their third studio album Holy Fire this month.
Although as a whole the music is a little too post-punk for me, I dig this house remix by the also Oxford-based (and totally amazing) producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) of their latest single “My Number.” Hot Chip also attempted a makeover over the song, but I much prefer TEED’s version. Check it out below, along with earlier effort of theirs “The French Open.”
Update: Foals will be coming to DC’s 930 Club May 5th!
J’adore this infectious electro-pop number from new Swedish indie group Urban Cone out of Stockholm. From their album Our Youth released October 2012, “We should go to France” is a movement I could rally behind.
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.
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).
poetry in an empty coke can 