A list of the (free) songs we couldn’t stop playing last month…
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1. “Voodoo” by Bassnectar One of the heaviest songs we’ve heard this year. The rest of the music press may be ignoring this DJ, but when we hear a song like “Voodoo”, we find it really hard not to pay attention. Download “Voodoo” [via LA Times] |
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2. “Opium” by New Division The LA-based techno rockers step beyond their chillwave roots to embrace a more dance-heavy, powerful sound on “Opium”, the lead single from their new LP, Shadows (due September 27). Download “Opium” over here. |
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3. “Hanging On” by Active Child Pat Grossi (aka Active Child) splits the difference between James Blake and Bon Iver with a touch of Antony thrown in on his debut album, You Are All I See. The result is a dream-enducing, highly addictive collection of techno pop. Hear for yourself on the excellent lead single… |
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4. “Bronx Sniper” by Mister Heavenly We thought the first couple songs (free downloads) from this indie super-group (featuring members of Man Man, Islands and Modest Mouse) were pretty cool. But things get really interesting on “Bronx Sniper”. It kind of stomps. It pretty much rocks. Dig it: Download “Bronx Sniper” [via Sub Pop] |
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5. “Still Doing It (f. yU)” by Oddisee The mighty yU (of Washington, DC hip-hop collective Diamond District) slays this old-school beat by producer Oddisee (also of Diamond District). With its grainy samples and jazz/funk bass line, “Still Doing it” reminds us of East Coast hip-hop’s golden age. Download it here. |
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6. “Polish Girl” by Neon Indian The group’s new album, Era Extrena, features a fuller, more sturdy sound. It’s still 80s-obsessed electro pop, packed with glam-y keys, tangy synth bursts and hazy vocals, but there’s more focus and the melodies are stronger than on Neon Indian’s debut, Psychic Chasms. Dig Era highlight “Polish Girl”… Download “Polish Girl” [via Everybody Taste] |
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7. “Apathy” by Mikal Cronin San Francisco psych/garage rocker Mikal Cronin is set to release his eponymous solo debut on September 27. On lead single, “Apathy”, you’ll hear adroit song-structuring, melody and tension combine in one super-catchy anthem. Download “Apathy” [via Bay Bridged] |
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8. “Terra Incognita” by Atlas Sound Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox is set to release another solo LP, Parallax (due November 8), under the name Atlas Sound. And from the texture of lead single “Terra Incognita”, the production value has been kicked up several notches. But the project’s drifting, melancholy soul remains. Download “Terra Incognita” [via Pitchfork] |
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9. “New Los Angeles” by Kone Behold Kone’s “New Los Angeles” where gritty, organic samples mix with computerized, droning synth textures. The song does a good job of describing a city obsessed with the past that can’t stop moving forward. Grab “New Los Angeles” here. |
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10. “Monopoly” by Danny Brown We’re impressed with Detroit MC Danny Brown’s new mixtape, XXX (here’s the full album ZIP). We dig his nasal-y, chaotic flow (that sounds a bit like Black Sheep’s Dres channeling ODB). Check out the album’s swaggering, bitch-slapping (that’s open-hand) highlight, “Monopoly”. Download “Monopoly” [via Pitchfork] |
