Girls
Heartbreaker |
This list is slightly biased toward electronic music (as is Brasky.org), but we couldn’t overlook a great album from San Fra…
This list is biased toward electronic music (as is Brasky.org), yes, but we couldn’t overlook a great album from San Fran’s Girls. Frontman Christopher Owens delivers his words with a natural softness akin to that of Elvis Costello. “Heartbreaker” is a straightforward tale of yearnings for lost love and skepticism about new romances at an older age.
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Best Coast
When I’m With You |
“When I’m With You” is a worthy representative from an album loaded with winsome, beachy songs about romance and teenage…
“When I’m With You” is a worthy representative from an album loaded with winsome, beachy songs about romance and teenaged longing. It’s catchy. Check out the video to really get lost in the youthful spirit of Best Coast.
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Jónsi
Go Do |
As Brasky contributor Christine Browne notes, Jónsi’s “Go Do” is a worthy candidate for “Most Uplifting Song of the Year…
As Brasky contributor Christine Browne notes, Jónsi’s “Go Do” is a worthy candidate for “Most Uplifting Song of the Year”. Not surprising, considering Jónsi is the centerpiece of Sigur Ros. This is the kind of song that can inspire you to mow the lawn or mail a thank you card.
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Atlas Sound
Wild Love |
Between Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, Bradford Cox released about 5 thousand songs this year. Here’s a highlight from the…
Between Deerhunter and Atlas Sound, Bradford Cox released about 5 thousand songs this year. Here’s a highlight from the 4-part Bedroom Databank series (solo as Atlas Sound), a vast collection of tracks Bradford set loose on the web this year.
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Active Child
When Your Love is Safe |
If you can handle Active Child’s–a.k.a Pat Grossi’s–womanly tenor, you won’t have hard time enjoying this bright, synt…
If you can handle Active Child’s–a.k.a Pat Grossi’s–womanly tenor, you won’t have hard time enjoying this bright, synth-heavy tune, stylized nicely with various little tweaks and re-samples that ensure no one gets bored.
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Pictureplane
Transparent Now (Thin Veil) |
Keep an eye on Pictureplane. It seems everything this Denver producer touches turns to gold lately. His style is diffi…
Keep an eye on Pictureplane. It seems everything this Denver producer touches turns to gold lately. His style is difficult to summarize, but rarely fails at energizing dance-minded clubgoers. “Transparent Now (Thin Veil)” is a bit scatterbrained, but organizes well enough for what feels like a satisfying chorus or two.
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DOM
Burn Bridges |
“Burn Bridges” might be the most sugary song here, but such is the essence of DOM. Their blissful M83 synth pop has bee…
“Burn Bridges” might be the most sugary song here, but such is the essence of DOM. Their blissful M83 synth pop has been attracting attention, recently. Their other big single from 2010 “Living in America” was harvested for a mashup by the scene-savvy mashup duo, the Hood Internet.
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Cults
Oh My God |
Most every Cults song sounds something like this, and that’s a good thing. This song is an especially energetic, drummy…
Most every Cults song sounds something like this, and that’s a good thing. This song is an especially energetic, drummy pop tune, filled with girly cheerfulness and a hint of something nostalgic.
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Dirty Projectors + Björk
On and Ever Onward |
Dirty Projectors collaboration with Björk not enough for you? What if I told you that they made an entire LP based on t…
Dirty Projectors collaboration with Björk not enough for you? What if I told you that they made an entire LP based on the inspiration of spotting whales in the North Pacific? And that the album is actually sung from the perspective of a happy whale family? Even the hardest heart has to soften a little. And yes, the DP girls are harmonizing like birds again.
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ceo
Illuminata |
Luminous pop takes a ride on dark bassline. Very much in the introspective Scandinavian spirit.…
Luminous pop takes a ride on dark bassline. Very much in the introspective Scandinavian spirit.
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Baths
? |
Just one of several standout tracks from Bath’s meticulously produced debut with Anticon, Cerulean. The song gal…
Just one of several standout tracks from Bath’s meticulously produced debut with Anticon, Cerulean. The song gallops with a hip hop rhythm, but an ever-present piano loop and wistful vocal melodies combine to create a song that can stir a wide range of emotions.
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Salem
King Night |
Salem is awful, but they are also great; this is the public consensus. Routinely credited as the originators of the eme…
Salem is awful, but they are also great; this is the public consensus. Routinely credited as the originators of the emergent “witch house” / “drag” / “screwgaze” sound, Salem once again blends a shitstorm of synths and 808 crunk, this time adding some sufficiently gothic choir samples. They make it work.
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jj
Let Them |
No one is making music quite like Sweden’s jj. “Let Them” perfectly demonstrates jj’s style of reimagined, ambient hip …
No one is making music quite like Sweden’s jj. “Let Them” perfectly demonstrates jj’s style of reimagined, ambient hip hop. With Elin Kastlander’s slow, wispy delivery, it’s easy to miss the gangsta rap lyrics she’s crooning. It’s a crazy juxtaposition, but it works.
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Avi Buffalo
Truth Sets In |
This, the opening track from Long Beach newcomers Avi Buffalo, sets the stage for what was a tremendously successful deb…
This, the opening track from Long Beach newcomers Avi Buffalo, sets the stage for what was a tremendously successful debut album. “Truth Sets In” perfectly ushers in the album with casual summer strums and a delectable complement of plucked notes on Avi Zahner Isenberg’s electric guitar.
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Miniature Tigers
Gold Skull |
Are these guys popular yet? They’ve been rolling out effortless, adventurous indie pop tunes in secret for the past 5 y…
Are these guys popular yet? They’ve been rolling out effortless, adventurous indie pop tunes in secret for the past 5 years or so, and “Gold Skull” is as good an example as any.
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Owen Pallett
Lewis Takes Action |
The bad news: You have to change your performing name for copyright reasons. The good news: This means you’re semi-famo…
The bad news: You have to change your performing name for copyright reasons. The good news: This means you’re semi-famous. This is the story for Owen Pallett, the artist formerly known (and acclaimed) as “Final Fantasy”, which is, apparently, also the name of some franchise of games/movies/hentai/dunno. “Lewis Takes Action” is one of Owen’s baroque tales about a fictional character, Lewis, from his new album.
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Emika
Drop The Other |
The UK’s Emika debuts with a stunningly stylish and brooding downtempo piece. Synths, stuttering, rise and fall as a sn…
The UK’s Emika debuts with a stunningly stylish and brooding downtempo piece. Synths, stuttering, rise and fall as a snarling, low bassline maintains a solemn mood to frame Emika’s cynical message about casting aside a lover in the hopes of landing a new prospect.
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Jamie Lidell
Completely Exposed |
Coming off a successful year in 2009, Jamie Lidell’s “Completely Exposed” is a highlight from his follow-up album in 201…
Coming off a successful year in 2009, Jamie Lidell’s “Completely Exposed” is a highlight from his follow-up album in 2010. Jamie delivers his unique style of electronic soul music with the kind of production you expect from an artist on Warp Records.
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In-u
The Bailing |
On “The Bailing”, self-published In-u discovers a simple verse, garnishes it, mixes in a few variations, and rides it wi…
On “The Bailing”, self-published In-u discovers a simple verse, garnishes it, mixes in a few variations, and rides it with a patience rarely seen in 2010′s catalog. The song eventually rewards listeners with a final chorus that further reassures the listener that we’re all going to be OK. From what? The song title and lyrics suggest the song is an embittered anthem for the American people vs. the Wall Street bailouts.
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Blood Diamonds
Heart |
Vancouver producer Blood Diamonds delivers with “Heart” a track that seems to perfectly blend the still-emerging chillwa…
Vancouver producer Blood Diamonds delivers with “Heart” a track that seems to perfectly blend the still-emerging chillwave sound with tropical, sample-heavy dance music – a good example of what’s new and fresh from the past year.
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Beach House
Walk In The Park |
One of the more upbeat songs from Beach House’s acclaimed Teen Dream, “Walk in the Park” finds the right words to…
One of the more upbeat songs from Beach House’s acclaimed Teen Dream, “Walk in the Park” finds the right words to capture the weird, reflective time in the wake of an ended relationship.
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Auto-Tune the News
Bedroom Intruder Song |
Auto-Tune the News (the side project of actual band The Gregory Brothers) hit a new echelon with the July’s installment …
Auto-Tune the News (the side project of actual band The Gregory Brothers) hit a new echelon with the July’s installment of their video remixing series. The video transforms a now-famous local news interview into a pop sensation thanks to some irresistible auto-tuned hooks. The video has accumulated 65 million views in 5 months.
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Blue Daisy & TOKiMONSTA
USD |
LA beatmaker TOKiMONSTA (she’s female!) teamed up with UK’s Blue Daisy to manufacture one of the year’s most intriguing …
LA beatmaker TOKiMONSTA (she’s female!) teamed up with UK’s Blue Daisy to manufacture one of the year’s most intriguing future jams, “USD”. I’m not sure either would bring the d-word into this (dubstep), but beat signature and cosmic bass factor bear the signs of it. Big year for TOKiMONSTA (she’s azn!).
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Liars
The Overachievers |
“The Overachievers” is a punky tune from Liars’ most successful album yet. Usually these rock veterans (9 years – vets …
“The Overachievers” is a punky tune from Liars’ most successful album yet. Usually these rock veterans (9 years – vets yet?) produce sounds akin to TV on the Radio, though Sisterworld defies any consistent genre style while still remaining thematically consistent. What sets the single “The Overachievers” apart are some amusing lyrics about the restlessness of settling down in LA.
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Deerhunter
Helicopter |
Bradford leaks some more self-loathing on what has become one of the more iconic songs of the year (and a personal favor…
Bradford leaks some more self-loathing on what has become one of the more iconic songs of the year (and a personal favorite)
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Casiokids
Grønt lys i alle ledd |
You should listen to the Casiokids. Their sound is essentially Scandinavian–a good thing. “Grønt lys i alle ledd” cap…
You should listen to the Casiokids. Their sound is essentially Scandinavian–a good thing. “Grønt lys i alle ledd” captures both the brightness of Mum and the introspection of Mew.
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Balam Acab
Big Boy |
In “Big Boy”, echoing haunting vocal melodies slide through lush soundscapes architected by 18-yr old Alec Koone. The s…
In “Big Boy”, echoing haunting vocal melodies slide through lush soundscapes architected by 18-yr old Alec Koone. The song (as well as the EP, See Birds) merges the broodiness of minimal dubstep and the dark sexuality of the mysterious “drag” movement (see: Salem). I should clarify that Alex would certainly rage against attributions of “dubstep” and “witch house”–I’ll leave it up to you to speculate on his influences.
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Mt Eden Dubstep
Sierra Leone |
This track has been floating around the web since last year, but due to the relative obscurity of New Zealand’s Mt Eden …
This track has been floating around the web since last year, but due to the relative obscurity of New Zealand’s Mt Eden Dubstep, didn’t catch any PR till 2010. “Sierra Leone” is a graciously accessible example of dubstep that invites some techno crossover while still taking breaks for some “nasty” (…) bass parading. If YouTube were the only measure, Mt Eden Dubstep is the most listened-to dubstep artist… that exists. If only for this reason, his music is newsworthy.
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Metric
Black Sheep |
Metric earned a spot on the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack (which was good, we’re told), and delivered with an unmistakably Me…
Metric earned a spot on the Scott Pilgrim soundtrack (which was good, we’re told), and delivered with an unmistakably Metric pop hit. Emily Haines finds all the right notes over a tricky guitar hook in “Black Sheep”.
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LCD Soundsystem
Dance Yrself Clean |
“Dance Yrself Clean” is really just one of a handful of crucial singles from LCD Soundsystems successful 2010 album, …
“Dance Yrself Clean” is really just one of a handful of crucial singles from LCD Soundsystems successful 2010 album, This is Happening. Murphy’s cynical-but-ultimately-lighthearted lyrics shine, as this quirky track eventually transforms into a dance party hit. “Drunk Girls” was another big single from the album (and also very lyrically entertaining).
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Mount Kimbie
Before I Move Off |
It’s hard to mention the genre “post-dubstep” without cringing for a kick in the nuts, but if such a genre exists, Mount…
It’s hard to mention the genre “post-dubstep” without cringing for a kick in the nuts, but if such a genre exists, Mount Kimbie is influencing its description. “Before I Move Off” steadily thumps with muted kicks, acoustic guitars, and synthetic chirps racing around the headphones. The track hits a new level when heavily reconfigured vocal samples take the lead around 2:30.
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Four Tet
Love Cry (Joy Orbison remix) |
Love Cry was a great song on a good album before Joy Orbison gave it the remix treatment. Whether the remix is a superi…
Love Cry was a great song on a good album before Joy Orbison gave it the remix treatment. Whether the remix is a superior track can be debated, but Joy’s raucous cult following helped elevate the remix beyond the acclaim of Kieran’s original track. Very loungy, futuristic club/dub music.
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Cee Lo Green
Fuck You |
If the vocal track were muted, you would never guess that the catchy groove you were hearing had become an instant class…
If the vocal track were muted, you would never guess that the catchy groove you were hearing had become an instant classic among breakup songs. Cee Lo (of Gnarls Barkley) adds dashes of humor to lighten up what is otherwise a bitter tale of love unrequited. With 40+ million YouTube views in 4 months, it’s clear Cee Lo got through to a lot of people.
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Eux Autres
Wind Me Up |
After laying low for a few years Eux Autres is back with more franco-pop. With characteristic light moods and downplaye…
After laying low for a few years Eux Autres is back with more franco-pop. With characteristic light moods and downplayed enthusiasm, “Wind Me Up” pairs well with smoky cheeses, people that wear suspenders, and leisure sports played on grass.
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Deerhunter
Helicopter (Star Slinger Remix) |
This is probably one of the best remixes I have ever heard. Call it dream crunk – an aggressive beat composed of soft e…
This is probably one of the best remixes I have ever heard. Call it dream crunk – an aggressive beat composed of soft elements changing speeds to translate the competing up and down streaks in Deerhunter’s “Helicopter”. Just one of a handful of stunning remixes from the UK’s Star Slinger in 2010.
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Arcade Fire
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) |
Régine stars on vocal duty in Sprawl II, vibrantly proclaiming her sense of urgency to escape the vast metropolitan spra…
Régine stars on vocal duty in Sprawl II, vibrantly proclaiming her sense of urgency to escape the vast metropolitan sprawl and live freely. As with the rest of the lengthy album, the theme is unmistakably wistful but hopeful, the latter reinforced with steady drum kicks and fast-looping synths that take the track into synth pop territory.
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Kanye West (ft. Pusha T)
Runaway |
Love him or hate him, Kanye can put together hits. On perhaps his biggest hit from an album full of them, Kanye finds a…
Love him or hate him, Kanye can put together hits. On perhaps his biggest hit from an album full of them, Kanye finds all the right words (and keys) to express his frustrations with (his personal) relationships. But he’s still a Jackass (says Obama. And me.)
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Crystal Castles
Celestica |
Celestica, sitting in the 2 spot on Crystal Castle II, marks the arrival of a mature, club-friendly Crystal Castl…
Celestica, sitting in the 2 spot on Crystal Castle II, marks the arrival of a mature, club-friendly Crystal Castles, a partial departure from their noisy chiptune debut in 2008. Note: CC’s biggest hit in 2010 may have been “Not in Love” (the version featuring Robert Smith), which further associates Crystal Castles with New Wave’s renaissance.
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Big Boi
You Ain’t No DJ (Feat. Yelawolf) |
It wasn’t easy choosing a favorite from Big Boi’s stacked 2010 album, but great rapping is what sets this track apart. …
It wasn’t easy choosing a favorite from Big Boi’s stacked 2010 album, but great rapping is what sets this track apart. Big Boi lets his ego take a jog and finds his stride perfectly, while whiteboy rapper Yelawolf takes the opportunity to show why he’s generating some buzz.
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Noisia
Machine Gun |
Drum & bass trio Noisia made it clear this year that they can produce a wide range of dancefloor crushing tunes. On an …
Drum & bass trio Noisia made it clear this year that they can produce a wide range of dancefloor crushing tunes. On an album rotating forays into D’n’B, dubstep, and indefinable electronic diesel, “Machine Gun” goes as far to try about 3 different styles on one track. And it does it well.
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Gold Panda
You |
This track is called “You”, which is true of two songs on the album (dude.). We are referring to track #1. Trancy, ori…
This track is called “You”, which is true of two songs on the album (dude.). We are referring to track #1. Trancy, oriental analogs are reconfigured and finessed into a framework of occidental 4:4 beats. Released by Ghostly International, Adult Swim’s stable of bedroom beatmakers.
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Fol Chen
In Ruins (Baths Remix) |
Baths positively transforms “In Ruins” into a soaring, sultry ballad. The song moves slowly, leaving ample negative spa…
Baths positively transforms “In Ruins” into a soaring, sultry ballad. The song moves slowly, leaving ample negative space for frenetic xylophonic synths and wild, buzzing bass, blown out on half beats by subby kicks and big snares.
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Frankie Rose And The Outs
Girlfriend Island |
Listening to Frankie Rose and the Outs makes me wish the Cranberries were still making music. Frankie Rose (unclear if …
Listening to Frankie Rose and the Outs makes me wish the Cranberries were still making music. Frankie Rose (unclear if this is her given name, but I hope so) has been involved with a number of Brooklyn’s fuzzy rock bands, including the Vivian Girls and Crystal Stilts. Taking the lead on this project, Frankie succeeded with the kind of retro pop that listeners were craving in 2010.
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Gayngs
Faded High |
Gayngs is a super group of 23 members including, most notably, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Critics were mixed on the deb…
Gayngs is a super group of 23 members including, most notably, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. Critics were mixed on the debut album’s premeditated (perhaps over-mimicked) theme of 1980s soft rock, but focusing on tracks individually, the album offers up a bright bouquet of mini-hits. “Faded High” is a fun example.
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Harlem
Gay Human Bones |
I’m a big fan of this album because there are no gimmicks; it’s just rock and roll music. While Harlem has been accused…
I’m a big fan of this album because there are no gimmicks; it’s just rock and roll music. While Harlem has been accused of hiding behind lo-fi’ed vocals and guitar noise on previous work, “Gay Human Bones” is just one good example of the more polished, vibrant music on the album, full of songs that aren’t afraid to be lean on hooks or roll just as much as they rock.
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Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
Round and Round |
Round and Round’ got ’round the web as a preview for what would become one of the year’s most talked-about albums (among…
Round and Round’ got ’round the web as a preview for what would become one of the year’s most talked-about albums (among indie crowds, at least). The song trades turns with a Thriller-like vibes and a brighter, group-sung chorus that is probably the album’s catchiest. A flagship song from a standout album in 2010.
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Hecq Vs Exillion
Spheres Of Fury |
[Technically late 2009] You can sample the track here, but we strongly advise checking out the video from Christopher He…
[Technically late 2009] You can sample the track here, but we strongly advise checking out the video from Christopher Hewitt and Tim Brown here. Hecq and Exillion, both professional producers, push the envelope with a staggering marriage of technical prowess and artful aggression. The ambient lead-in was not sampled; it’s Hecq’s work, also. Watch the video and see if you don’t agree that “Spheres Of Fury” is a triumph in audio-visual virtu. |
Phantogram
Mouthful Of Diamonds |
We’ve been praising Phantogram’s debut album all year, enough that you might be tired of hearing about it. “Mouthful of…
We’ve been praising Phantogram’s debut album all year, enough that you might be tired of hearing about it. “Mouthful of Diamonds” is a great entry point (appropriately as track #1) for listeners who want to know what the buzz is about.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Nothing But Our Love |
“Nothing But Our Love” is the kind of song that stops you, reels in your attention, and insists: “stop worrying and rela…
“Nothing But Our Love” is the kind of song that stops you, reels in your attention, and insists: “stop worrying and relax”. That’s a grossly subjective statement and should probably be completely disregarded. Just listen to it and I promise you’ll forget you were even annoyed at me.
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Wild Nothing
Gemini |
One-man band Wild Nothing – Blacksburg’s Jack Tatum – is one of 2010′s noteworthy success stories. The project is barel…
One-man band Wild Nothing – Blacksburg’s Jack Tatum – is one of 2010′s noteworthy success stories. The project is barely a year old, but Jack’s first album, Gemini, has voted a top 50 album by both Amazon and Pitchfork, among others. The music’s sound consistently captures the tones and moods of classic New Wave, while occasionally leaning toward more contemporary synth pop. It may not sound like it, but all the vocals are Jack’s.
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Two Door Cinema Club
Something Good Can Work |
Hailing from Ireland, youngsters Two Door Cinema Club have quickly gotten a taste of being rock stars after their very s…
Hailing from Ireland, youngsters Two Door Cinema Club have quickly gotten a taste of being rock stars after their very successful, US-tour-prompting debut album on Kitsuné, Tourist History. “Something Good Can Work” is just one of a handful of radio-worthy hits from a band I’m deeming 2010′s Phoenix. |
Sufjan Stevens
I Walked |
Listening to “I Walked” is a reminder of the songwriting brilliance of Sufjan, who seems far from hitting his peak. Thi…
Listening to “I Walked” is a reminder of the songwriting brilliance of Sufjan, who seems far from hitting his peak. This song is exceptional by most any criterion we test it against. Like most of the songs on Age of Adz, “I Walked” is a conspicuously emotional track.
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Candy Claws
Sun Arrow |
Candy Claws songs all bear a distinct sound, but what’s amazing is that it’s truly unique. “Sun Arrow”, like the other …
Candy Claws songs all bear a distinct sound, but what’s amazing is that it’s truly unique. “Sun Arrow”, like the other songs on the album, weaves together many layers of reverby synths and whispered lyrics. The mood is dreamy in a theatrical sense – every moment of listening to Candy Claws feels like living in a fairy tale.
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The Black Keys
Everlasting Light |
The Black Keys are in a league of their own in the world of blues rock. I still have to remind myself that I’m listenin…
The Black Keys are in a league of their own in the world of blues rock. I still have to remind myself that I’m listening to two white guys. Their celebrated album in 2010, Brothers is full of plenty of hits. We’re giving the opening track, “Everlasting Light”, the nod in this year’s list.
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Crystal Stilts
Shake The Shackles |
Coming off a well-receive album, Alight of Night in 2009, this noise pop group from NY drummed up some more criti…
Coming off a well-receive album, Alight of Night in 2009, this noise pop group from NY drummed up some more critical praise with the release of this single.
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Toro Y Moi
Talamak |
Toro y Moi is a real-life friend of Washed Out’s Ernest Greene, who has been often been credited as one of the originato…
Toro y Moi is a real-life friend of Washed Out’s Ernest Greene, who has been often been credited as one of the originators of the chillwave movement. Toro y Moi’s sound bears the accompanying descriptions, distinguishing itself with an increase in glitchy edits and production accents. “Talamak” is a very accessible track for anyone tolerant of chillwave (the music–not the word). Footnote: He has another album due out any day now.
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Tame Impala
I Don’t Really Mind |
Tame Impala has quickly become one of the most recognizable names on this list. Their debut album Innerspeaker w…
Tame Impala has quickly become one of the most recognizable names on this list. Their debut album Innerspeaker was a tremendous success for the Austrialian band, with a sound that has drawn comparisons to–the Beatles!? Sure, we can hear it, but this probably means they’re going to die in a bus crash. Or kangaroo trampling? I can’t think of a better Aussie joke. In closing, listen to their music, it’s pretty good.
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The Morning Benders
Excuses |
We have attributed many songs on this list as sounding “retro” or “nostalgic”, but no song seems more deserving of that …
We have attributed many songs on this list as sounding “retro” or “nostalgic”, but no song seems more deserving of that description than “Excuses” by the Morning Benders. Feels like senior prom in the 1950s, but I might be way off, I wasn’t there.
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Caribou
Odessa |
I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of properly reviewing this track. Simply be aware that this was the most wid…
I feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of properly reviewing this track. Simply be aware that this was the most widely embraced single from Caribou’s critically acclaimed album, Swim. It’s a funky, dance-friendly, psychedelic track with far more subtlety than what I can communicate in a few sentences. The sound waves are better at explaining than me–give the song a spin, below.
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Vampire Weekend
Giving Up the Gun |
Vampire Weekend had raised their own bar almost too high for their sophomore album, Contra, but songs like “Givin…
Vampire Weekend had raised their own bar almost too high for their sophomore album, Contra, but songs like “Giving Up the Gun” support the case that Ezra & company didn’t lose a step. Wish we could say the same for MGMT (whose bar was probably higher, in fairness).
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Laurel Halo
Supersymmetry |
Laurel Halo became somewhat of an “it-girl” in the Brooklyn club scene, helped by the success of “Supersymmetry”, a song…
Laurel Halo became somewhat of an “it-girl” in the Brooklyn club scene, helped by the success of “Supersymmetry”, a song that channels the spirit of 1980s club music. Whether 80s club music actually sounds like this isn’t something I know. But I hope it does.
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Grasscut
Muppets (Nathan Fake remix) |
Nathan Fake layers his signature knob-twisting brushstrokes onto Grasscut’s “Muppets”, Nathan’s only release from this y…
Nathan Fake layers his signature knob-twisting brushstrokes onto Grasscut’s “Muppets”, Nathan’s only release from this year. But it’s a good one, rich with high-atmosphere synth tones over a horse clopping of house kicks. Endless ride cymbals give the feeling of constant climax.
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School of Seven Bells
Half Asleep |
If you’re a guy in a band in New York, leave that band and find yourself a chick or two to collaborate with. This has b…
If you’re a guy in a band in New York, leave that band and find yourself a chick or two to collaborate with. This has been a popular formula in the last 5 years, giving birth to new blends of electronically influenced indie music. School of Seven Bells fits into this description, and there was no better example of their dreamy indie pop than “Half Asleep”.
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Wavves
Post Acid |
Wavves certainly deserves a few on this list, and choosing just one was a bit challenging. “Post Acid” seems to capture …
Wavves certainly deserves a few on this list, and choosing just one was a bit challenging. “Post Acid” seems to capture both the sound and spirit of the album. While still noisy, some critics thought the guys cleaned up their sound too much. Bah. We would insist that the accessible hooks on King of the Beach are a nice break from the flood of fuzzy noise rock/pop that’s become popular the past couple years.
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Twin Sister
Phenomenons |
“Phenomenons” is an especially vibrant single from Long Islanders Twin Sister. Guitars and keyboards measure out a slow…
“Phenomenons” is an especially vibrant single from Long Islanders Twin Sister. Guitars and keyboards measure out a slow jam somewhat in contrast to a energetic, snare-led synth beat. The singer sounds like she’s wearing a nose clip when she hits lower notes, but we can get past it.
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Crocodiles
Hearts of Love |
Be sure to hang on till around 2:30 when the song blooms with a bittersweet Weezer anthem. Very much in the spirit of S…
Be sure to hang on till around 2:30 when the song blooms with a bittersweet Weezer anthem. Very much in the spirit of Surfer Blood’s “Swim”.
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Tanlines
Real Life (Memory Tapes remix) |
Apparently the members of Tanlines have backgrounds in completely different, heavier styles of music. You’d never guess…
Apparently the members of Tanlines have backgrounds in completely different, heavier styles of music. You’d never guess it listening to their album, characterized by Caribbean moods and soft synth soundscapes. Their album was very successful among “indie” circles, as supported by a crop of remixes that popped up this year. Tanlines vs Memory Tapes is an intriguing combination, and the result doesn’t disappoint.
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Sleigh Bells
Infinity Guitars |
We’ve been a little biased in reporting Sleigh Bells because they are sorta tied to FL. Derek Miller, one half o…
We’ve been a little biased in reporting Sleigh Bells because they are sorta tied to FL. Derek Miller, one half of the band, left FL for Brooklyn (noooo) and found Alexis, who would become the pop-friendly voice singing behind Derek’s soundwall of distortion and bass. “Infinity Guitars” fits this standard Sleigh Bells description, with an especially explosive finish.
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Yeasayer
Ambling Alp |
If you’ve heard Yeasayer, you know it’s tough to pin them to one genre; the band once described their music as “Middle E…
If you’ve heard Yeasayer, you know it’s tough to pin them to one genre; the band once described their music as “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel”. Sure. Although their sound is constantly evolving and full of surprises, one staple you can really on is spirited singing from Chris Keating (which you can find in Ambling Alp).
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Domo Genesis
Super Market [Ft. Ace Creator) |
Domo Genesis, part of the under-20 rap crew "Odd Future", teams up with the now-infamous Tyler the Creator for a rap bat…
Domo Genesis, part of the under-20 rap crew "Odd Future", teams up with the now-infamous Tyler the Creator for a rap battle about cutting in line at the grocery store. It's nice to see some levity from the Cali crew known for shocking rap delivered with an Internet troll's apathy, but this doesn't mean you won't get the wind knocked out of you by a few coarse lines.
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Tobacco
Motorlicker |
Tom Fec, a.k.a., Tobacco, is a man to watch. He is most famous for being the frontman of Black Moth Super Rainbow. That said, his personal project Tobacco bears all the dreamy synths and ambient vocals you might expect, but also tests edgier, more hip-hop influenced sounds with Tobacco. "Motorlicker" lays on thick, raspy synths and a heavy beat, eventually rewarding listeners with that pleasant BMSR synths that make for a wonderful contrast of light and dark. |
Marnie Stern
Transparency Is The New Mystery |
Marnie Stern teamed up with drummer/producer Zach Hill (Hella) this year to produce a frenetic, progressive album filled…
Marnie Stern teamed up with drummer/producer Zach Hill (Hella) this year to produce a frenetic, progressive album filled with noisy verses. Marnie's fret-tapping guitar work mixed with Zach's trademark drum chaos makes for busy songs that can reward discerning ears. "Transparency Is The New Mystery" offers one of the more distinct and emotional choruses from Marnie's album. No crazy guitar shreds on this one, though.
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Lemonade
Lifted |
Warning: The following description reads like a parody of other reviews here: "Lemonade is a Brooklyn-via-San Francisco...
Warning: The following description reads like a parody of other reviews here: "Lemonade is a Brooklyn-via-San Francisco band that earned acclaim for their 5-track debut Pure Moods in 2010. "Lifted" clomps along with relentlessly tropical vibes--like, steel drums tropical--along with a curious assortment of fun sound effects. The vocalist sings somewhat dramatically against a relative bare backdrop, in the style of fellow Brooklyn performers Yeasayer."
What can I say? The colorful/danceable/Brooklyn stuff was a huge influence on indie music in 2010.
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The Gaslamp Killer
Carpool Dummy |
LA's Gaslamp Killer has been gaslamp killing it the last couple years, but hit a new tier in 2010, thanks in part to the…
LA's Gaslamp Killer has been gaslamp killing it the last couple years, but hit a new tier in 2010, thanks in part to the collective momentum of the west coast beats scene (Flying Lotus, Nosaj Thing, Daedelus, Tokimonsta, etc). "Carpool Dummy" hits hard with a palette composed almost entirely of glitched up drums.
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Washed Out (ft. Caroline Polacheck)
You and I |
For everyone who fell in love with Washed Out's archetypal chillwave music in 2009, here's a 2010 single that you may've…
For everyone who fell in love with Washed Out's archetypal chillwave music in 2009, here's a 2010 single that you may've missed. Similar to their super hit, "Feel It Around", "You and I" bumps along with a danceable beat, ambience everywhere, and restlessly arpeggiating synths. Hang on until 3:00 for Caroline's sexy cameo.
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Broken Social Scene
World Sick |
While it's unclear from the lyrics, it's tempting to believe "World Sick" relates to exhaustion of a band known for its …
While it's unclear from the lyrics, it's tempting to believe "World Sick" relates to exhaustion of a band known for its endless tours. Regardless the meaning, a big, splashy chorus warmly embodies the sounds of Canadian indie rock (reminder: BSS is a supergroup of Canadian bands/musicians)
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Frank (Just Frank)
Die in Bed |
Frank (Just Frank) are French (Actually French), which helps further authenticate their adept revival of the post-punk m…
Frank (Just) Frank are French (Actually) French, which helps further authenticate their adept revival of the post-punk microgenre "coldwave". (____)wave guitar tones, labored mumblings, and dark choral ambience are happily disrupted by peppy drum machines and optimistic guitar licks in this darkly--(excellently)--titled track.
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Tennis
Marathon |
Tennis, a husband-wife duo, formed after the two spent nearly a year sailing the Eastern seaboard. As the story goes, i…
Tennis, a husband-wife duo, formed after the two spent nearly a year sailing the Eastern seaboard. As the story goes, it was only during that trip that the couple learned the depth of each other's musical interest/talent, and promptly began recording upon return. The result is masterful mimicry of the doo-wop girl music of the 1950s, filled with maritime stories from the couple's time at sea. How fun.
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The Love Language
Heart To Tell |
With "Heart To Tell", The Love Language has found the sweet spot between pop folk and indie pop, creating their own bran…
With "Heart To Tell", The Love Language has found the sweet spot between pop folk and indie pop, creating their own brand of cheerful rock and roll that drops the big chorus right when you're ready for it.
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Woodsman
Insects |
Woodsman came on strong toward the end of 2010 with the release of a handful of excellent singles from their upcoming al…
Woodsman came on strong toward the end of 2010 with the release of a handful of excellent singles from their upcoming album. These woodsmen (of Colorado) roll with reverbed, psychedelic guitars, washed out vocals, and steady (real) drum work.
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Teengirl Fantasy
Floor To Floor |
Teengirl Fantasy has not even released a full length LP yet, but has generated a lot of buzz with the EPs and demos they…
Teengirl Fantasy has not even released a full length LP yet, but has generated a lot of buzz with the EPs and demos they released in 2010. "Floor to Floor" kicks heavily with a mixture of whorling synths and dreamy vocal samples. Similar to Pictureplane, but there's a little more finesse in the production. This American duo of college students is currently studying abroad in Amsterdam. Jealous!
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Radiohead
Reckoner (Nosaj Thing Remix) |
Remixes are often a cheap strategy for piggybacking off of the success of someone else's song, but occasionally someone …
Remixes are often a cheap strategy for piggybacking off of the success of someone else's song, but occasionally someone comes along that understands how to create a fresh work (via remix) without completely overriding the aesthetic of the original song. West Coast beatsmith Nosaj Thing has been winning at remixes all year, none better than his surgical reanimation of Radiohead's "Reckoner".
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Air
Sing Sang Sung (Black Moth Super Rainbow Remix) |
Air's 2009 song-to-hanglide-to, ""Sing Sang Sung"", was the lucky recipient of Black Moth Super Rainbow's remix treatment …
Air's 2009 song-to-hanglide-to, ""Sing Sang Sung"", was the lucky recipient of Black Moth Super Rainbow's remix treatment earlier this year. The result is an irresistible static-splashed daydream interrupted occasionally by a noisy reinterpretation of the title hook.
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The Drums
Let's Go Surfing |
In a year full of surfy music, this takes the trophy for "Surf Song of the Year". It even has whistling in it.…
In a year full of surfy music, this takes the trophy for "Surf Song of the Year". It even has whistling in it.
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TV Girl
If You Want It |
Jingling bells gently gallop along to funk-sampled drums as San Diego duo TV Girl sings a familiar story about that one …
Jingling bells gently gallop along to funk-sampled drums as San Diego duo TV Girl sings a familiar story about that one ex that still manipulates you (but you're sort of OK with it).
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The Radio Dept.
Heaven's On Fire |
Secretly rock veterans, The Radio Dept. dropped what may be their most acclaimed album yet in 2010. "Heaven's On Fire" …
Secretly rock veterans, The Radio Dept. dropped what may be their most acclaimed album yet in 2010. "Heaven's On Fire" delivers the brightness you expect from Swedish indie rockers, though frontman Elin's vocals remain subdued and introspective.
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Joanna Newsom
Good Intentions Paving Company |
Joanna released yet another monumental album in 2010, 2 discs' worth of Newsom's intricate songwriting and storytelling.…
Joanna released yet another monumental album in 2010, 2 discs' worth of Newsom's intricate songwriting and storytelling. "Good Intentions Paving Company" offers more than the usual harp serenade, as an assortment of instruments combine to weave an uplifting, folksy tale. Joanna trades in the harp for the piano on this one.
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Letherette
In July Focus |
In 2009, Letherette nabbed some attention for his impressive
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Bonobo
Black Sands |
The title track from Bonobo's breakout album in early 2010, "Black Sands" oozes somber moods and themes of transition to…
The title track from Bonobo's breakout album in early 2010, "Black Sands" oozes somber moods and themes of transition toward new and better times. The listening experience is more satisfying when you consider that Bonobo (Simon Green) tours with a complement of a half dozen musicians who bring his songs to life.
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The Babies
Run Me Over |
When asked "Where can I find more music like Wavves?" (people really ask this), I point them toward this band. It's a s…
When asked "Where can I find more music like Wavves?" (people really ask this), I point them toward this band. It's a side project of one of the Vivian Girls, continuing in the spirit of their punk moods with the usual lo-fi garage sound.
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Girl Unit
Wut |
Girl Unit's "Wut" seemed to penetrate several electronic subcultures in 2010, a rogue hit that would eventually get rele…
Girl Unit's "Wut" seemed to penetrate several electronic subcultures in 2010, a rogue hit that would eventually get released via label. The track successfully blends crunk rhythms, spooky synths, and edited R&B samples, making for a surprisingly salient dancefloor hit.
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Seapony
Dreaming |
As its title support, "Dreaming" is an ethereal song that showcases the nostalgic girl pop that drew listeners to Seapon…
As its title support, "Dreaming" is an ethereal song that showcases the nostalgic girl pop that drew listeners to Seapony in 2010. Fans of Tennis will likely appreciate their sound.
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Flying Lotus
Zodiac Shit |
One of many standout tracks from psych-IDM wizard Flying Lotus (Warp). Cool mini-video here. |
Gumar and His Magical Midi Band
Sliding Down Rainbows (The Great Mundane remix) |
Portland's self-deprecating beatmaker, The Great Mundane, dolls up a playful song from...
Portland's self-deprecating beatmaker, The Great Mundane, dolls up a playful song from local (but otherwise unknown) Gumar and his Magical Midi Band. We love the song for its blend of chippy high synths, gritty bass, and lighthearted lyrics. Very danceable despite a sluggish tempo.
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Chloé Lacasse
Les yeux d'un fou |
Attn francophiles: Listening to Chloé Lacasse in "Les yeux d'un fou" is like listening to a songbird effortlessly...
Attn francophiles: Listening to Chloé Lacasse in "Les yeux d'un fou" is like listening to a songbird effortlessly slalom through familiar melodies. Some very pleasant indie pop from abroad.
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Shigeto
Sky of the Revolution |
In 2010, Michigan's Shigeto, a.k.a. Zach Saginaw, released a standout album with Ghostly International, Full Circle...
In 2010, Michigan's Shigeto, a.k.a. Zach Saginaw, released a standout album with Ghostly International, Full Circle. Zach's music is richly layered, bright hip hop with IDM accents (headphones matter on "Sky of the Revolution").
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The Bank Holidays
Tripping Up To Fall In Love |
If the Bank Holidays weren't on the other side of the earth--Perth, Australia--we'd probably all know who they are by no…
If the Bank Holidays weren't on the other side of the earth--Perth, Australia--we'd probably all know who they are by now. "Tripping Up To Fall In Love", like many of their songs, bears the markings of the band's influences (The Shins, Belle and Sebastian, Peter Bjorn and John). Give it a listen to enjoy some mellow, polished indie rock.
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Weekends
Poor Piscies |
Poor Piscies [sic…] is an anthemic single from SF-based garage rockers Weekends. Somewhere under wild guitars there are…
Poor Piscies [sic…] is an anthemic single from SF-based garage rockers Weekends. Somewhere under wild guitars there are human murmurings and big kick drums. A fun track that ends too quickly at 2:04.
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Zola Jesus
Sea Talk |
Soulful words and soaring synths make for a pleasing ballad from this American youngster who attracted attention after t…
Soulful words and soaring synths make for a pleasing ballad from this American youngster who attracted attention after touring with Fever Ray. Her lowish voice and near inimitable composition style make her music remarkably unique, though ‘Sea Talk’ seems to be the album winner for its passionate chorus.
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HEALTH
We Are Water |
“We Are Water” starts with a furious pace and pulls you along on a splashy noise jam that provokes a variety of moods wi…
“We Are Water” starts with a furious pace and pulls you along on a splashy noise jam that provokes a variety of moods with shrill guitars and ominous synths.
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Delorean
Real Love |
Delorean is back in 2010 with a full length album released at the beginning of the year. In “Real Love”, dreamy dance m…
Delorean is back in 2010 with a full length album released at the beginning of the year. In “Real Love”, dreamy dance music seduces with an up-pitched “ooh-ah” loop that rallies some club kicks to go along with an enchanting blend of echoey soft-rock toms and jingly synths.
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Surfer Blood
Swim |
Being a Florida blog, we beam with pride whenever it’s time to talk about Surfer Blood. The South Florida youngsters ha…
Being a Florida blog, we beam with pride whenever it’s time to talk about Surfer Blood. The South Florida youngsters have rapidly garnered national esteem for their debut album, Astro Coast. No single was bigger than “Swim”, which actually hit the web in 2009 (and landed them a spot in Pitchfork’s top 100). This song just piles on the power pop anthem juice, making it a pretty irresistible listen.
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Siriusmo
Einmal In Der Woche Schreien |
Siriusmo has been flying somewhat under the radar, but those in-the-know in the electro-house scene have kept their eyes…
Siriusmo has been flying somewhat under the radar, but those in-the-know in the electro-house scene have kept their eyes on this DJ. “Einmal In Der Woche Schreien” pumps along with frenetic energy and carefully sliced samples. Fun fact: “electro-house” is neither electro or house music. Discuss!
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Tyler, The Creator
Seven |
How the hell is this dude 18? Tyler (one of the rapper’s in the Domo Genesis song also on this list) sounds like a gnar…
How the hell is this dude 18? Tyler (one of the rapper’s in the Domo Genesis song also on this list) sounds like a gnarled rap veteran. He raps like, it too. “Seven” hits hard but offers loungy stretches that bring Tyler’s vicious lyrics to the forefront.
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James Blake
The Bells Sketch |
“The Bells Sketch” is a fine example of buzz-producer (and proper Englishman) James Blake. The 21-year-old demonstrates…
“The Bells Sketch” is a fine example of buzz-producer (and proper Englishman) James Blake. The 21-year-old demonstrates masterful use of negative space to create a suspenseful, haunting soundscape littered with scraps of repitched R&B and meticulously mastered synth accents. Also check out his popular cover of Feist’s “Limit to Your Love” featuring his own vocal work.
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