Well, it’s been over a year since I last put a mix up on this Tumblr, but the time feels right with the 4th of July looming and the prospect of a weekend’s worth of booze ahead. Without further ado, I present my latest set of jams and some commentary:
1. Star Slinger - “Mornin’”
There’s something that seems run-of-the-mill about this song in that it’s easily cobbled together on some dude’s laptop software, but the sample, the strings… Everything about it is perfect morning music in the summer.
2. Gunnar Bjerk - “Back Then”
A few weeks before LCD Soundsystem’s final show, the fine folks at DFA Records gave away a free MP3 from this guy’s debut single, and it turned out to be romantic electro-pop perfection. That being said, it made me extra excited to see that he’d been added to LCD’s final live band for the farewell shows.
3. Craft Spells - “After the Moment”
Every time I talk about these guys I refer to them as “Cake Parties” accidentally. Only a handful of people will know why that’s funny, but they’ll appreciate it. Anyway, it’s a solid track just as chillwave finally stopped being fashionable.
4. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - “How Can U Luv Me?”
Tame Impala helped provide my personal summer soundtrack last year, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra have upgraded that band’s throwback psych-rock sound to include weird, funky touches. Ya dig?
5. Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Section - “Express Yourself”
One of the best parts about my job is the time I’ve spent exposing myself to feel-good soul music… Truth be told, it’s become a genre that gets me through rough days, and this is one of my recent favorites.
6. Gil Scott-Heron - “The Bottle”
I’m still reeling from the loss of this genius. It should go without saying that this song is mind-blowing.
7. The Pharcyde - “Soul Flower”
Everything about this song rules, from the ridiculous speed of sound rhymes to the weird posse repetitions. Probably the easiest song to dance to from the jazz-hop era.
8. Classixx - “Into the Valley (Julio Bashmore Remix)”
In a lot of ways, I feel like Classixx kind of embodied the fun in-between period of dance music after Justice-style bangers finally went away. Their time has passed, but Julio Bashmore’s time is now, part of the dubstep crowd giving an inspired spin on house music.
9. Rah Band - “Messages From the Stars”
Summer has become all about really over-the-top disco and house music for me, and this crazy cut from the Rah Band has been in heavy rotation lately. Yes, I do expect everyone to stop listening around the time this song kicks in.
10. The Rapture - “How Deep Is Your Love?”
Speaking of house music, the Rapture kind of make it now? Their comeback single is eight minutes of piano-house bliss. Didn’t think they’d ever move on from dance punk, did you? Get down to this song when it gets dark!
11. Washed Out - “Amor Fati”
Washed Out’s new record is perfect for the summertime, let’s not kid ourselves. This track is Ernest Greene at his most serene… I really can’t wait to listen to this at the beach.
12. YACHT - “Shangri-La”
YACHT seems to get better and better as they steep themselves in weirdo-philosophy, but the title track of their new album is a pleasant, addictive left turn. You’ll end up singing the chorus whether you like it or not.
13. John Maus - “Hey Moon”
You’ll be hearing a lot more about John Maus in the coming months, but it’s far to bleak to be a summer record. This might be the one exception, as I keep listening to it when I’m by myself late at night when I should be asleep, thinking about how the summer is already moving far too fast and autumn will be here before we know it. Let’s enjoy this warm weather and forget about that, though.
