The Skull Hand Smiles / May You Fare Well

I get it, this is a long song. In fact, the first 2 minutes is basically bass guitar plucking with some ambient sounds setting the stage. I like the fact that Drift takes their time on this song, breaking out of the need to power pack a song into a 3minute 30 second container made for radio. The drums hit at the 7 minute mark, and the track takes form. I love an epic, and this is definitely an epic. Enjoy!
The Skull Hand Smiles / May You Fare Well - Drift (right click to save as)
Drift

Breezeblocks

I feel that if Jim Henson's indie rocker son wrote a song, this would be it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making fun of this track at all, quite the opposite. The timing, the accents, and the flow of this song keep my interest as a song from the fraggles or muppets did. I love the voice on this track along with the completely unpredictability of the song's path. Enjoy!

Breezeblocks - Alt-J (right click to save as)
Alt-J

September

I've been constantly impressed with the sounds coming from St. Lucia, this track is no different. I greatly appreciate the long instrumental intro, which extends half of the song. I had to dig a bit to verify that this was the original version and not a remix. When the bridge comes I see myself falling through a dream in 400 frames per second slow motion -"hold your hand up, reach for the sun". Enjoy!

September - St. Lucia (right click to save as)
St. Lucia

Closer

I am the biggest Tegan and Sara fan that I know, and I know a few die hards! I am ecstatic that this song is more along the lines of work they've done with Tiesto, Morgan Page, and David Guetta. They have done the indie rock sound perfectly (in my biased fan crazed eyes) and now are moving on to their next frontier. This track particularly is not overly progressive, or bubble gum - the twins have tastefully transitioned me from remembering my worst breakup to jumping and dancing. Enjoy!

Closer - Tegan and Sara (right click to save as)
Tegan and Sara

Snudge

The melody on this track is highly infectious. You may not remember the words, but you'll find yourself humming this song while you walk down the street. The track is bright, and filled with a well rounded array of sounds, while still maintaining a small footprint. Enjoy!

Snudge - Night Panther (right click to save as)
Night Panther

Select Sundays: Bruises

Sometimes a song sounds like it's made just for you.  This ultra fun track by Bruises was made for me. The sorta silly lyrics ("I try to do handstands for you"), the whispery singing, the tambourine shaking melody and the driving beat. I've been all over Chairlift recently, which makes me about four years late I suppose. This song's a throwback, all the way to 2008!

Bruises - Chairlift (right click to save as)
Chairlift

Azzura

I'm a humongous Gui Boratto fan, so when I heard he'd be in San Francisco tonight I had to get tickets, which meant missing a friend's birthday celebration. When his album Take My Breath Away was released I was instantly in love with the track Azzura. Months later a friend introduced me to this 'It's Not The Same Version'.

This version is so slightly different that unless you pay attention, it's difficult to tell the difference. However, I notice these subtle differences and greatly appreciate them. It is a tad zippier, snappier and has more of a laser sound. The small pops and sizzles laid over the track is just the right amount of spicy to let all the other flavors stand out even more. Needless to say I'm super excited to see Gui spin tonight. Enjoy!

Azzura (It's Not The Same Version) - Gui Boratto (right click to save as)
Gui Boratto

About That Life

There is almost too much happening in this song, almost. The track has been dragged through the 70's sound of The Beatles then washed in acid and perched atop a costal sand dune to bask in the sunshine. The carefree flute and bohemian percussion prance left, right, up, and down. Enjoy!

About That Life feat. Jahan Lenon - Diplo (right click to save as)
Diplo | Jahan Lenon

Baku

"Turn off the lights!"  A friend introduced me to this song, and along with the song he said 'I like when my house music is bossy'. He wasn't speaking about this song in particular, but this one follows suit. I have to agree with him, I like music that doesn't simply ask me to dance -it makes me dance!  This dark yet glimmery track pays homage to the past while feeling fresh and new. Enjoy!

Baku - Phonique (right click to save as)
Phonique

I Will Never See You Again

The slow and steady crawl of this song is what makes it so beautiful. It can be dark and it can be light. The percussion stands out to my ears, yet it is only one of the many elements this song weaves into its fabric. Enjoy!

I Will Never See You Again - PURPLE (right click to save as)
PURPLE

Down By The River

It is constantly amazing to me how much emotion can be expressed through the simple formula of piano and voice.  She's has gorgeous voice, and I personally love when she sings "watching that la river roll down by the trains past chinatown". Enjoy!

Down By The River - Honey Honey (right click to save as)
HoneyHoney

Tonight

I'm ready to kick off the weekend, and what better than a song about "falling in love tonight". This track has a powerful bounce that induces hard foot stomping. The melody and vocals yo-yo up and down just right. So head bob or dance your ass off, it's Friday and this track is power-packed with fun positive energy. Enjoy!

Tonight Feat. Maja Ivarsson - Felix Cartal (right click to save as)
Felix Cartal | Maja Ivarsson of The Sounds

Constant Conversations (Remix)

When I first heard the original of this track two things popped into my head. 1.) I love it. 2.) I can't wait to hear some fantastic remixes of this track. So I wrote a post and waited for a decent remix to emerge. The song isn't dramatically different, but it is far more electrified and epic sounding. The ebb and flow of this track is far more pronounced. The soft wide synths added have been done just right. Enjoy!

Constant Conversations (St. Lucia Remix) - Passion Pit (right click to save as)
Passion Pit | St. Lucia

Dissapear

I'm very into the rich and aural emotions this track unearths. From the buzzing fly to the water droplet-like sounds, everything is perfectly placed. The slight waves of airy vocals gently crashing on shore make the song even more beautiful feeling.  Don't be fooled though, the song is soft, peaceful, and pretty but it'll still put your subwoofer to work. Enjoy!

Dissapear - Sekuoia (right click to save as)
Sekuoia

Every Chance We Get We Run

I'm a longtime Tegan and Sara fan. I completely love when they collaborate with other artists in the dance music scene. There's something about their collective voices working together that makes magic for me. Guetta does what Guetta always does, he's a crowd pleaser and he's good at what he does, but I can get bored of his formulaic, yet catchy, style.

Every Chance We Get We Run Feat. Tegan & Sara Quin - David Guetta (right click to save as)
David Guetta | Tegan & Sara Quin

5iVE STAR

The infectious high energy infused cuteness has me jamming this song all day. I have no idea what the song is about, in fact I can't make out any words since the song is in Japanese. I wish I was more versed in music from Japan, but to dive right in is so intimidating. For that I'd need a mentor, a music mentor to act as ambassador from Japan and educate me in the music. This song is fun, Enjoy!

5iVE STAR - Capsule (right click to save as)
Capsule

Select Sundays: A Postcard To Nina

Hearing this track, you swear you've heard it before. It's got bits and pieces that all sound so familiar but then you find out who the artist is like and go, "Nope, don't know him." Well, I'm here to say that Jens Lekman is fantastic. I'm going through his discography now and it's all reminisce-y, playful, and a bit silly.

A Postcard to Nina - Jens Lekman (right click to save as)
Jens Lekman

Casanova

Labor Day unofficially marks the end of summer, but here in SF the fall is when our summer starts.  To me, this is a summer song, though it can be enjoyed year round. The original R&B track shines through, but the builds, breakdowns, and overall beach energy increases are just what summers are about. Enjoy!

Casanova (Mickey Re-Work) - Ultimate Kaos (right click to save as)
Ultimate Kaos | Mickey

C'est Beau La Bourgeoisie

This banger combines French attitude with French allure, both of which the French have quite the reputation for. It's super high energy bass bumps and cute attitude paints an image of ultimate female swagger. As an English speaker only, I also appreciate a bit of toggle back and forth between English and French. Enjoy!

C'est Beau La Bourgeoisie (Radio Mix) - Discobitch (right click to save as)
Discobitch

Diminishing Returns

There's a dash of 80's glam on this track. There's something about the title and chorus of this song that keeps me interested. Normally the phrase 'diminishing returns' is kept for boring finance speak, or technical design talk. Love is a chain of diminishing returns sparks my curiosity, wondering how Ali Love came up with that line. The song is fun, great for dancing your face off, with lots of laser sounds and bassy bass. Enjoy!

Diminishing Returns - Ali Love (right click to save as)
Ali Love

I Want It

There are a few parts in this song where I find myself waiting to sing the lyrics of "I'm your venus, i'm your fire, at your desire".  The melodies overlap briefly, and I dig it. Other parts of the song are jolly and hokey in the best of ways. The deep bubbly tuba sounding bass notes give life to a Disney like circus feel. The lyrics rally back and forth with fun energy, and the horns bring a large and full feel to the song. Enjoy!

I Want It (Lindstrom & Prins Thomas Remix) - Locussolus (right click to save as)
Locussolus | Lindstrom & Prins Thomas

Cordyceps

If I were to describe to someone this song in one short sentence, I would probably say "an arcade exploded". The 8 bit sounds from my nintendo past visit me accompanied by thunderous bass notes. This beast trudges through the steamy forest with lasers, lights, and nostalgia. Enjoy!

Cordyceps - Drull (right click to save as)
Drull