We Talk Music

Here are my 20 favourite songs of the year. All were on albums released in 2012. So, as much as I have elbow-grooved to those new Local Natives tracks - almost as much as I’ve dreamt about sharing bubble tea with Taylor Rice’s facial hair - or clutched my heart while iPhone-karaokeing to my new boyfriend Cass McCombs, all that has been taken out of contention.

But lay all your eyebrow-furrowing fret aside! Because 2012 brought us some fantastic music; whether it exploded confetti in your face at a Project X party (Japandroids), danced like your grandpa high on LSD (Father John Misty), or made you hungry for toast (Fiona Apple).

Enjoy! And let us know how much you disagree. We appreciate vehemence.

20 The Walkmen - Heaven

19 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Same Love

18 Milo Greene - 1957

17 Of Monsters and Men - King and Lionheart

16 Alabama Shakes - Hold On

15 Sun Kil Moon - Among the Leaves

14 The Tallest Man on Earth - To Just Grow Away

13 Passion Pit - Take a Walk

12 First Aid Kit - Wolf

11 Fiona Apple - Hot Knife

Here are my 20 favourite songs of the year. All were on albums released in 2012. So, as much as I have elbow-grooved to those new Local Natives tracks - almost as much as I’ve dreamt about sharing bubble tea with Taylor Rice’s facial hair - or clutched my heart while iPhone-karaokeing to my new boyfriend Cass McCombs, all that has been taken out of contention.

But lay all your eyebrow-furrowing fret aside! Because 2012 brought us some fantastic music; whether it exploded confetti in your face at a Project X party (Japandroids), danced like your grandpa high on LSD (Father John Misty), or made you hungry for toast (Fiona Apple).

Enjoy! And let us know how much you disagree. We appreciate vehemence.

10 The Antlers - Drift Dive

9 Father John Misty - Fun Times in Babylon

8 Frank Ocean - Lost

7 Beach House - On the Sea

6 Tame Impala - Elephant

5 Alt-J - Tessellate

4 Exitmusic - Passage

3 Japandroids - The House that Heaven Built

2 DIIV - Doused

1 Menomena - Pique

This track is the perfect representation for what I consider the year’s most underrated album. In solid Menomena style,”Pique” is marvelously out of place; always surprising, always new. I was immediately hooked.

The standout from the previously-trio, now-duo band’s 2012 Moms, the track is led by relentless guitar grinds and persistent drum beats that mirror the aggressive lyrics, while the beautifully arranged horn section adds even more emotional weight to the disjointed mother-son relationship. It is so catchy, and so musically interesting that I can’t get enough of it.

This is the year’s best song.

www.menomena.com

A couple of weeks ago, we attended the launch of local band’s Seyra’s new singles - “Jauh” and “Send Me On”.

As an ensemble, Seyra is strong and dominating when the drums pound, trombone belts and guitars boom, while still demonstrating delicateness and quiet emotion when restrained. It’s not a display of a voice, a beat or a melody; but an orchestration that does as much to entertain the audience as to inspire its participation.

Oh, and our friends at Flim directed Seyra’s video for “Jauh”. Check it out below.

www.seyra.bandcamp.com

There’s no better indication of the holiday season’s impending arrival than the rolling in of December. So what better way to kick off the festivities than with a mind-blowing local music lineup at Fred Perry’s 60th Anniversary Party this Sunday? If you’ve been to any of the Fred Perry subculture shows around the island, you know that besides designing a snazzy polo tee, them folks know how to throw a great outdoor gig.

Alex Kapranos-endorsed UK pop band Citizens!leads the charge and our sunny island folk Muon, The Great Spy Experiment and Obedient Wives Club (not to be confused with the actual manual; I was for a while) fill the bill.

There’s tonnes of other stuff going on as well, like a “curated street market” (any excuse to shop) and the premiere screening of “The Son Letts Subculture Films”, for all you anarchists/skinheads/mod kids/Chelsea FC fans/Kate Middleton groupies/fish & chips loving folk.

Date: Sunday, 2 Dec 2012; Time: 4pm - 11pm; Venue: Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

More info is available at their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fredperrysg/app_110436652369571.

To whet your appetites, here’s “True Romance” by Citizens!, in a video that solves all mystery regarding how The Power Rangers would be if they danced the evil space monsters to death.

Do you know that feeling when you watch something unfold; something so awkward and cheesy, yet so earnestly delivered that it hits your sweet spot. You can’t help but smile. Your fingers intertwine and your head tilts as eyes widen to soak in more of the sight - the sight you will later replay to stave off all boredom and lost hope forever and ever.

Former Fleet Foxes drummer J. Tillman, now less facially-hairy and performing under the name Father John Misty, showcased his fancy schmancy dance moves and Ariel Pink-lookalike bandmate on Letterman. Let us count the terms of endearment - qtpie, dancemonster, babycakes…

www.fatherjohnmisty.com

DIIV is my obsession of the year.

If you wondered why the indie rock outfit sound like the illegitimate child of The Pixies and Beach Fossils, it’s because band founder Z. Cole Smith wields the guitar chops in the latter. It’s always been difficult for me to make connections between eras of music; the way I see it is that somehow the entire musical timeline works in phases that borrow little bits of earlier phases, sort of like collection raindrops off the edges of an umbrella (decent attempt at imagery, no?) . But with DIIV, it just seemed so apparent to me, and I understood immediately their grunge influences, tied in with the modern lo-fi dream pop movement. It’s a beautiful thing eh? To do the math and not come up short.

Here’s a live version of my favourite track off Oshin, “Doused” (absolutely obsessed). I seriously can’t get enough of the Joy Division-esque bass line and that thumping, circulating guitar line.

DIIV’s debut LP, Oshin, is definitely worth a listen. Head over here to stream.

www.facebook.com/diivnyc

You guys can forget it if you think I’m going to reveal my closet emo/psuedo-punk faves, but one band that I’m not embarrassed to admit that I listen to is Brand New.

Maybe I’m being a little unfair here, because they are musically and lyrically leagues above the aforementioned guilty parties. But I remember Samuel giving me the side eye once after my wistful confession of being a Brand New fan. Since then, let’s just say I’m not about to shout it on the mountaintops.

My Brand New fandom was anchored on three songs, all of which I heard on VH1 radio, back when VH1 wasn’t too preoccupied with filming piss of the earth programmes like Keys to the VIP (which I, of course, watched, because I can’t help myself).

“The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot”

Remember how when we used song lyrics as instant messenger names? Those were the days. POP ETC were still The Morning Benders - yeah that wasn’t too long ago, but I’m still bitter - and depending on how old you were, Jack White either had zero, one, two or three bands.

Back on point. The mind is really going a-wandering today, eh. That line “you are the smell before rain/ you are the blood in my veins” was always my go-to until a too-inquisitive friend would ask “who? who?” and I’d take it down. Yeah so what if the lyrics are cliche; there’s so much delicateness in the setting that is astoundingly heartbreaking for a young heart.

Here’s one of those karaoke-style videos in case any of you need inspiration for your Facebook status:

“Sowing Season (Yeah)”

This song reminds me of the older brother of Blur’s “Song 2”, less meticulous, yet more calculated and much more angry. “Sowing Season” happened somewhere between my transition from Incubus to Alice in Chains, and aided in many a sweaty gym session.

“Soco Amaretto Lime”

Excessively singalong-able - each one of the multiple vocal lines are irresistible - and straightforward lyrics that my tiny 17-year-old heart could manage. I venture that “Soco Amaretto Lime” is one of the best pop songs ever written. It sticks in your head for weeks at a time. My only complaint is the weird rewind sound thing at the end. Hate that. Love everything else. Listen below:

www.fightoffyourdemons.com

(image via Last.fm)

I have photographic proof of Jens Lekman and myself touching heads. He leaned in and his head touched mine. I thought I’d just come right out and tell you, because my love for this man is genuine. It’s not because he plays beautiful songs which could turn a cold hearted bastard into a hopeless romantic. Neither is it because he is a gifted storyteller, crafting the most amazingly vivid anecdotes in his songs. I am in love with him because he played “Into Eternity” for me, and then his head touched mine.

Okay but enough with the bragging/public declaration of love. Jens’ new LP drops very soon, and the full stream just hit the Internet via The Quietus. Head over here to listen to I Know What Love Isn’t in its entirety.

Everything you’ve come to know and love about Jens is in there. LP #4 is a collection of catchy pop tunes, quirky instrumentation, sing-a-longs and Jens’ singing straight to your heart. To cut to the chase, here is the title track and first single:

Mark your calendars for September 4th!

www.jenslekman.com

Wild Nothing’s Jack Tatum is back with his sophomore LP, Nocturne. I’ve been waiting for this one since his debut Gemini blew my mind, defining the era of shoegaze for me, and landing on our favourites of 2010 list.

The same swirling guitar riffs surround Jack’s vocals for maximum side body sway potential, but this time, the newly-minted Brooklyn resident takes a tip from the recent rehashing of 80’s influence in indie music for a bolder, more danceable sound.

Nocturne doesn’t quite make me tingle in my toes like Gemini did, but I reckon the sophomore tracks will sound better live; they sound similar to how the earlier tracks were live, and so I’m guessing they will translate with much more impact when Wild Nothing hits the stage.

Listen to one of the standout tracks, “Paradise”, by hitting the snazzy orange play button below, or stream the entire shebang thanks to Dazed Digital.

In somewhat related news, we sunny island folks will have the pleasure of watching Jack’s buddy Dustin and his band Beach Fossils - obsessed! - live. This happens 21 October at Home Club. Deets are here (The band’s self-titled is also on our 2010 fave list).

Come high five us at the show! We wanna high five you!

www.myspace.com/wildnothing

After months of listening almost exclusively to music from Youth Lagoon and The National, my music tastes took on the form of one of those black ghost orb things commonly depicted on Celebrity Ghost Stories - a sort of hovering, depressed energy.

So, this week, with a new spring in my step and Hype Machine at my command, I set forth for greener pastures of happier, more carefree music. Here’s what I found:

Of Monsters and Men - “Little Talks”

The Icelandic six-piece are the new Edward Sharpe. They sing to your ears and play to your eyes, but dance with you in your heart, holding your hand and playfully nudging your elbow.

Download the track here, via The Muse In Music.

Passion Pit - “Take A Walk”

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about Passion Pit, with 70% of my judgment a result of “Sleepyhead”, and the other 30 from what I heard when I saw them a couple of years ago. But man does their lead single off the upcoming album make me want to take a walk in the park (and staying in the park theme: Beach House - “Walk in the Park” Live on Pitchfork TV).

Seeing as how I’m no Passion Pit expert, I was surprised that the theme of the song was so mature - it is about a family doing their best in times of turmoil. Good job guys!

Milo Greene - “1957”

Milo Greene came to my attention through the Deskless performance series, run by the NPR Music interns. They are my favourite new band, and their brand of fuss-free folk pop is immensely inclusive; sing along and you’ll feel like part of the gang. They’ve got such extraordinary pop sensibilities that snippets could pass off as a Backstreet Boys song (oh yes, that’s a compliment).

Move over Local Natives? Maybe just for now.

Download the track here, via Kata Rokkar.

www.ofmonstersandmen.is
www.passionpitmusic.com
www.milogreene.com

Hot Chip will be hitting our shores real soon, in support for the band’s upcoming release, In Our Heads, due out 11/6 via Domino.

Here’s the new video for lead single “Night & Day”, with the dancing hoodie-clad version of the Dead Poet’s Society, a supermodel in a UFO, two hunky fellas grooving next to a giant egg, and a white-haired dude whose name will suddenly come to mind sometime during lunch tomorrow.

Here’s “Over and Over”, still my favourite Hot Chip song:

And details of the show:

Tuesday, June 26th 2012
Doors at 7.30pm, Stage at 9pm
Avalon, South Crystal Pavilion, Marina Bay Sands
Limited Early Bird at $48; Advance at $65; Doors at $80
On sale at www.ticketbooth.com.sg
For table reservations, email davis@avalon.sg.

www.hotchip.co.uk

Oberhofer is essentially 20-year-old Washington native Brad Oberhofer, whose brand of pop music will make you want to hug all your primary school friends. The music preaches a sort of infectious joy that would make your mom embarrassed to bring you to your Aunt’s birthday party. Also, they sound like they could have the entire Human League discography in his iPod, which is in fact very cool indeed.

Here is Oberhofer’s “Away Frm U” (I totes h8 the shorthnd title), which oddly reminds me of Bejewelled and croissants (although I am well aware that the dancing thing that looks like said pastry probably isn’t so). They also performed their lead single on Letterman. That is here.

And here is “OoOoOoOoOoOoOo” (I’ll be honest. I am not sure how long the title is supposed to be). Any song that repeatedly uses oh’s in the chorus is a winner in my book. This version is acoustic; download the studio track here (via Indie Rock Cafe).

They’re so gonna get Glee-ed. I called it!

www.myspace.com/oberhofermusic

With 2011 done and dusted, here’s a quick round-up of my favourite albums of the year. It’s very long overdue, but my mom says better late than never.

#10 Wilco - The Whole Love

This album really surprised me with how left-field it sounded, yet all the tracks were entirely listenable and every bit enjoyable. I can’t say I’m a Wilco fan, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. #10 was a fight between this and El Camino, which was very good, but I loved how The Whole Love felt fresh.

Favourite tracks: Art of Almost, Dawned On Me

#9 Washed Out - Within and Without

What I most appreciate about Washed Out is that there’s a new age quality to his music; atmospheric and reviving, almost like a Gregorian chant. But it feels very modern and very, well, chill. Like lounging at Cafe Del Mar with an ice cold glass of hipster.

Favourite track: Amor Fati

#8 Porcelain Raft - Gone Blind EP

Favourite track: Tip of Your Tongue

#7 Radiohead - The King of Limbs

Radiohead might arguably be the best thing to happen to music since The Beatles. I was watching a BBC documentary about REM, and how they achieved their success without ever compromising on their sound. Radiohead are sort of the present day version, no? Constantly evolving and always staying ahead of the fray, Thom and gang have mastered the music biz, and the art of the body-twitch dance while at it.

Favourite tracks: Separator, Codex

#6 Wu Lyf - Go Tell Fire To The Mountains

Wu Lyf can very simply be described as mysterious, powerful and enigmatic. They have a distinctly unique sound that only they can pull off. Frontman Ellery Roberts doesn’t sing, he doesn’t shout. He proclaims. That blissful combination of poppy Real Estate-esque guitar riffs with those protest rally vocals make this young band one of the most exciting musical acts of the year.

#5 Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Girls’ sophomore LP offers up more of what the band does best - timeless love songs that flow from the depths of all our hearts. Close your eyes, sway from side to side, let the head do its banging and the music float into your ears and tickle your little heartstrings. This album will probably inspire more teenage serenades than James Brown at an open mic night. It only leaves one small unanswered bit: why doesn’t Christopher Owens wear his hair asymmetrical anymore?

Favourite tracks: Honey Bunny, Magic, Vomit

#4 Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Fleet Foxes wow again with impeccable harmonies and inspired instrumentation. Helplessness Blues displays incredible growth for the Seattle band; keeping to their distinctiveness and giving fans what they expect, yet evolving the music into a fuller, lusher sound that is still undoubtedly magical.

Favourite tracks: Grown Ocean, Battery Kinzie

#3 Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Bon Iver

Justin Vernon and gang made the most beautiful, most compelling and most sophisticated album of the year. Magnificent lyric and enchanting sounds draw landscapes and evoke feelings of sadness and hope that even the most dramatic episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition cannot conjure.

Favourite tracks: Holocene, Towers, Perth

#2 The Antlers - Burst Apart

The Antlers are a band that I am very passionate about, and Burst Apart was my most anticipated album of the year - I practically stalked NPR for first listen. There is an earnestness and honesty about The Antlers that comes across in the instrumentation, as well as the vocals. That is incredibly rare and very special. As we’ve learned to expect from the boys, in this LP,  the emotion is enveloping and it’s easy to get lost in the swirling symphony of feedback and Peter Silberman’s relentless cooing.

Favourite tracks: Hounds, No Widows, Corsicana

#1 Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation

This album, this band, just blew me away. Every track on here sticks in your head. They are triumphant and pensive, with the most amazing arrangements that build to a glorious finish. Amazing stuff. Trevor Powers, you are genius. I can’t get enough.

Favourite tracks: Montana, The Hunt, July