Grouper - Vital [STREAM]

One of my favorite 21st century artists returns!

Grouper will release The Man Who Died in His Boat this February 4th on Kranky - the material comes from the same era as her seminal 2008 LP Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill (which will be re-released at the same time on Kranky), yet has remained unreleased until now. Check out "Vital", which of course sounds like more great business as usual from Liz Harris.

Starfucker - Leave It All Behind [STREAM]

Starfucker are coming back hard with "Leave It All Behind", the latest peak from their upcoming Feb 2013 LP Miracle Mile. Get yer butt ready for shaking!

PS I still have some buttons and shirts with the design I did for these dudes way back, email fygt666@gmail.com if you want some, I'll sell em cheap!

FUCK YEAH: Zig Zags [MP3s]

MP3: Zig Zags - Scavenger
MP3: Zig Zags - Monster Wizard

I was looking at Styrofoam Drone's list of the top 30 7 inches of 2012 and Zig Zags, who I had not heard before, showed up twice (at #22 and #1). Holy shit - these guys... this is the real fuckin' rock n roll deal right here!

They put out two 7 inches this year (Scavenger on Mexican Summer and Monster Wizard on Tubesteak Tuesday Records) and they're making everything sound better now. Here are both of the a sides, enjoy!

Toro Y Moi - So Many Details [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Toro Y Moi - So Many Details

The evolution of Toro Y Moi has been fascinating to listen to. His newest, January's Anything in Return, is another giant leap forward - it's a real fun/inviting/crazysexycool pop record.

It leaked today (that's why I'm bringing all of this up) and there's a million tracks I'd like to post from it, but I'm going to just give you the one we had all heard before because it's a great single and there is this quite recent (and quite classy) video for it as well.

If you don't have this yet, get on google and do it already!

HOT TRAXXX: Best Songs of 2012 [MP3s]

(click title for MP3)

1. Grimes - Oblivion
2. Beach House - Myth
3. Chromatics - Kill for Love
4. King Tuff - Bad Thing
5. Cloud Nothings - Stay Useless
6. Icona Pop - I Love It
7. CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
8. Ty Segall - The Hill
9. Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built
10. Major Lazer - Get Free (feat. Amber Coffman)
11. FIDLAR - No Waves
12. Niki and the Dove - Tomorrow
13. Jai Paul - Jasmine
14. Future Islands - The Fountain
15. Melody's Echo Chamber - I Follow You
16. Mac DeMarco - My Kind of Woman
17. The Men - Please Don't Go Away
18. Mean Jeans - Come Toobin'
19. Jaill - Everyone's a Bitch
20. Pop Zeus - New Day Tomorrow

BEST OF 2012

Here we go...

1. CHROMATICS - KILL FOR LOVE (Italians Do It Better)

MP3: Chromatics - Kill for Love

It sounds of its time yet instantly timeless, while using music videos and imagery to create an aesthetic that shines with possibility. Any song can break your heart, but keep you optimistic for the entire ride. A+ stuff here, and Johnny Jewel's work ethic and dependability certainly helped put this at #1.

2. TY SEGALL - TWINS (Drag City) (pictured) / TY SEGALL BAND - SLAUGHTERHOUSE (In the Red) / TY SEGALL & WHITE FENCE - HAIR (Drag City)

MP3: Ty Segall - The Hill
MP3: Ty Segall Band - Wave Goodbye
MP3: Ty Segall & White Fence - Time

A lot of people rocked this year, but no one did it harder or cooler than Ty Segall.

3. BEACH HOUSE - BLOOM (Sub Pop)

MP3: Beach House - Other People

This pick is both because of it's quality and because of the memories it holds from the year. Those kind of albums are the best, and Beach House has given me more than a few. They're at such a fulfilling time in their career and it just generates so much excitement in everyone. Cool stuff.

4. SUSANNE SUNDFØR - THE SILICONE VEIL (EMI Norway)

MP3: Susanne Sundfør - White Foxes

The most unique album I heard this year - it's got everything, like a delicious Norwegian stew. Sundfør is onto something special here and I can't wait to see where she's headed next.

5. CLOUD NOTHINGS - ATTACK ON MEMORY (Carpark)

MP3: Cloud Nothings - Stay Useless

It was nice to get a bit nostalgic for younger days while listening to Attack on Memory. Cloud Nothings made the genius move to record with Steve Albini and put their actual passion on full display all throughout and afterword we were delivered a fun fucking record.

6. KING TUFF - KING TUFF (Sub Pop)

MP3: King Tuff - Bad Thing

Loved some songs on King Tuff right away but as a whole I didn't really get into it as an album for a spell until I took it off my computer put in my Burger cassette. A sides and B sides, dudes - they really tell you a story, and this story is bad ass. Come party with King Tuff, he's always ready to play.

7. NIKI AND THE DOVE - INSTINCT (Sub Pop)

MP3: Niki and the Dove - In Our Eyes

Best carefree pop music of the year and of course it was from Sweden. Fun lyrics and imagery of space and forests and birds and foxes and shit, but it is also about love... yeah, it goes deep and you don't even realize it. Instinct is another album that really defined 2012 for me - also these folks put on 2 of my favorite shows of the year, so go see them if you get a moment!

8. BOY FRIEND - EGYPTIAN WRINKLE (Hell, Yes!)

MP3: Boy Friend - Lazy Hunter

Pop music from your best dreams.

9. TOPS - TENDER OPPOSITES (Arbutus)

MP3: TOPS - Diamond Look

Groovin' and movin', feelin' and dealin'.

10. CONVERGE - ALL WE LOVE WE LEAVE BEHIND (Epitaph)

MP3: Converge - Predatory Glow

What it sounds like to punch a mother fucker in the face who deserves it. Brutal.

11. BEACHWOOD SPARKS - THE TARNISHED GOLD (Sub Pop)

MP3: Beachwood Sparks - Forget the Song

Sparks fly again! And they did a tape version of this on Burger, what a triumphant return!

12. FAG COP - WHIMPERS FROM THE PANTHEON (Rank Toy)

MP3: Fag Cop - I Eat Out the Trash

Best dudes being the best.

13. JESSICA PRATT - JESSICA PRATT (Birth)

MP3: Jessica Pratt - Night Faces

It sounds like it was from the 1960's. I know she keeps hearing that and I hope that she isn't insulted by it, I think it's a compliment. After all that's when music was perfect and this album and her music is that.

14. JAILL - TRAPS (SUB POP)

MP3: Jaill - Everyone's a Bitch

Summer 2012 record. "Everyone's a Bitch" is the best song to bike to in the sunshine, I promise.

15. SAM FLAX - AGE WAVES (Burger)

MP3: Sam Flax - Child of Glass

This is what sunglasses sound like, but like Blade Runner shades or something cool and futuristic.

--

Best songs of 2012 coming on Monday, see you there!

GO TEAM: D. GOOKIN - Prey on the Prize [STREAM/VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: D. GOOKIN - Ganja Farmer

Been meaning to spotlight this one earlier, but I only recently paid for it from Bandcamp. Prey on the Prize is a cool record if you like fun, vibin' in your heart and feeling like you wanna kiss someone pretty.

The Babies - Baby [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: The Babies - Baby

The Babies
"Baby"
Our House on the Hill
Woodsist 2012
Director: Timothy Fiore

Have you heard Our House on the Hill yet? It's really great - this group is truly something special and their new LP is certainly lightning in a bottle. Check out the video for album highlight "Baby" and see them on tour if they're near where you're willing to travel:

Nov 29 - Vancouver, BC - Media Club
Nov 30 - Seattle, WA - Barboza
Dec 01 - Olympia, WA - The Northern
Dec 03 - Reno, CA - Holland Project
Dec 04 - Sacramento, CA - Bows and Arrows
Dec 05 - Oakland, CA - 1-2-3-4 Go Records
Dec 06 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
Dec 07 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place
Dec 08 - Pomona, CA - VLHS
Dec 09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
Dec 10 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
Dec 11 - Tucson, AZ - Topaz Tundra
Dec 12 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Saloon
Dec 13 - San Antonio, TX - Korova
Dec 14 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
Dec 15 - Dallas, TX - Bryan St Tavern
Dec 16 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe
Dec 17 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
Dec 18 - Atlanta, GA - 529
Dec 19 - Durham, NC - The Pinhook
Dec 20 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
Dec 21 - Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong
Dec 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie

Mac Demarco - Ode to Viceroy [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Mac DeMarco - Ode to Viceroy

Mac DeMarco
"Ode to Viceroy"
2
Captured Tracks 2012
Director: Jasper Baydala

Neat video! I really dig this record, it has a good "vibe".

HOT TRAXXX: Chromatics - Cherry [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Chromatics - Cherry

Chromatics

"Cherry"

After Dark 2

Italians Do It Better 2012

Director: Alberto Rossini

From the frothingly anticipated After Dark 2. It’s nice when the right song comes along at exactly the time you need to hear it. Simply perfect.

FUCK YEAH: Pissed Jeans - Bathroom Laughter [MP3]

MP3: Pissed Jeans - Bathroom Laughter

I've long been hoping for a new Pissed Jeans record and it finally looks like that's what I'm getting: Honeys, their 3rd Sub Pop full length release, comes out February 12th 2013 and the opener, "Bathroom Laughter", shows a band out from the swamp and at the top of their game. This was pulled out the trash, and it will fucking kill you. Enjoy.

HOT TRAXXX: CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share [STREAM/LIVE VIDEO]

Here's a track by CHVRCHES that I'm sure everyone loves by now, but I didn't see it P4K best new music or anything, so check it out. The 7 inch is way sold out, so try discogs or ebay or your local thrift store. Good luck!

FUCK YEAH: Witchcraft - Deconstruction [MP3]

MP3: Witchcraft - Deconstruction

Hey hey, we're back! Check out the opener from the (mostly real great) new Witchcraft album Legend. This one slays all in it's path.

Sky Ferreira - Everything is Embarrassing [VIDEO]

Sky Ferreira
"Everything is Embarrassing"
Ghost
Capitol 2012
Director: Grant Singer

Ferreira's ep Ghost comes out this month, on the 16th; hopefully the rest of the songs hold up as good as "Everything is Embarrassing" (though I've heard "Red Lips", and that one doesn't).

HOT TRAXXX: Cold Cave - A Little Death to Laugh [STREAM]

A new Cold Cave offering means the group has gone through it's semi-regular sea change, retaining only it's CEO Wesley Eisold in the process. While a tour has been booked with a new band, Eisold wrote and recorded a new 7 inch by his lonesome in the process: A Little Death to Laugh is 3 songs "inspired by the late poet Tristan Corbiere". He must've been awesome, because this song rules.

The first pressing of 500 sold out super quick, so another batch is being offered. Don't miss out: http://coldcave.net/site/store/recordings/a-little-death-to-laugh-7/

Weekend - Sirens [STREAM]

Here's a rough mix of a new Weekend song slated to appear on their forthcoming sophomore LP, out someday on Slumberland. I like these guys a lot, they keep sounding better every time I listen.

FUCK YEAH: Eating Out - Burn [VIDEO/STREAM]

Eating Out
"Burn"
Eating Out
Burger Records 2012
Director: Cody Fennell

Just found this one yesterday: what a ripping track with a video worthy of it's genius. Get a copy of this now in the Burger Back to School Sale, which ends tonight! $3.33 tapes!!

Melody's Echo Chamber - I Follow You [VIDEO]

Melody's Echo Chamber
"I Follow You"
Melody's Echo Chamber
Fat Possum 2012
Director: Laurie Lassalle

Cool video for a great track. Real pumped to hear this record in September!

HOT TRAXXX: Future Islands - Tomorrow [STREAM]

Future Islands are already back with a new 7 inch, returning to Upset the Rhythm (who released their wonderful debut) for "Tomorrow" b/w "The Fountain". As you already know, these guys can't write a bad song and are great at making you feel real happy or real sad - "Tomorrow" is a sad one, so get ready to break down and internalize some shit. Don't worry, it'll be real good for you.

King Tuff - Alone & Stoned [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: King Tuff - Alone & Stoned

King Tuff
"Alone & Stoned"
King Tuff
Sub Pop 2012

Ty Segall - The Hill [STREAM]

Ty Segall delivers Twins in October, yet another effort from his very productive 2012. "The Hill" is the first single, which will also exist as a 7 inch with a b-side come September 4th from Drag City. Life is too good.

The Best Song Ever: The Exploding Hearts - Modern Kicks [MP3]

MP3: The Exploding Hearts - Modern Kicks

Waking up like I don't want to do nothin', but instead I gotta work a double. Ain't that some bullshit? Gonna try to boogie through this day... good luck, me.

Lilac - Go Your Own Way [MP3]

MP3: Lilac - Go Your Own Way

Beyond always sounding like a million bucks, Lilac rule because their output is so frequent. No Exit is their upcoming new album, and this time they're focusing a little more on pop than rock.

Check out opener/mission statement "Go Your Own Way"- it's not often that a band never lets you down, so when you're feeling lucky you've got to hold on tight. You're a goddamn burst of bright light, Lilac, and I want to shake your hands.

Warm Soda - Reaction [STREAM]

So glad to hear something new from Bare Wires honcho Matthew Melton after their disintegration: "Reaction" is the a-side from Warm Soda's new 7 inch, coming out "soon" on Southpaw Records. Can't wait!!

The Best Song Ever: James & Bobby Purify - I'm Your Puppet [MP3]

MP3: James & Bobby Purify - I'm Your Puppet

The place I just moved out of was a real drag, man. Mostly it was my roommate's fault - she had a stupid loud voice, she'd invite random dudes over every single night of the week and her lame dog would piss himself if you even looked at him. I'm so glad to be free, seriously!

One thing I'll miss? On the block was what I like to call "Party House", a sweet pad which had speakers set up outside, always blasting old soul and killer pop hits - it was a treat every time to walk by. A few weeks back, I passed by and heard a song so great that I had to stop and 'Shazam' it from my phone... and here we are now. "I'm Your Puppet" fucking rules, and that lame chick was totally worth living with because I got to discover this gem. Thanks, Party House!

GO TEAM: Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk - I'm Not a Nintendo [MP3]

MP3: Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk - I'm Not a Nintendo

Lillerne Tapes released their second compilation, which you can buy on cassette or download for free - both great options for a release that is chock full of great bands (I went into this to hear new tracks by a few of my pals who are on it, but also heard some new dudes worth keeping up with in the process, which is what I hope for when delving into comps).

However, Baby Birds Don't Drink Milk are the gold medalists here: "I'm Not a Nintendo" continues their signature evolutionary skills, like a soundtrack to your favorite dream.

Grow a beard.

FUCK YEAH: Tame Impala - Elephant [MP3]

MP3: Tame Impala - Elephant

Tame Impala has written many great songs, but "Elephant" is the first one I've heard that is unforgettable. With it's hazy production values and a riff like a fist, the track is just completely unrelenting through and through - it's a virus that will forever rest deep within your insides, constantly pummeling you as a reminder that this is the real fucking shit and you ain't worth a goddamn thing. Fuck yeah.

FUCK YEAH: Swans - The Seer Returns [MP3]

MP3: Swans - The Seer Returns

The new Swans album is upon us. In the press release, Michael Gira stated "The Seer took 30 years to make. It’s the culmination of every previous Swans album as well as any other music I’ve ever made, been involved in or imagined. But it’s unfinished, like the songs themselves. It’s one frame in a reel. The frames blur, blend and will eventually fade." This is what makes the album so cathartic. It's noisy, brutal and intimate, and I wouldn't want it another way. Enjoy.

HOT TRAXXX: Tamaryn - I'm Gone [STREAM]

Tamaryn's last album The Waves is still a huge favorite of mine, so it's safe to say any new music is highly anticipated. Well, we're all in luck: Tender New Signs is out on October 16th (via Mexican Summer) and the first single (it's GREAT!) is available now in a YouTube video. Hope you like flowers!

Bat for Lashes - Laura [VIDEO/STREAM]

Bat for Lashes

"Laura"

The Haunted Man

Capitol 2012

Director: Noel Paul

Holy shit! Bat for Lashes is showing her pubes! Uh, oh plus all of the important details for LP3 have been released: The Haunted Man (that's the cover up there) is coming out in the states this October 23rd and it has a single: check out the video for "Laura", which visually isn't the best, but BFL's worst is everyone else's gold metal.

The Babies - Moonlight Mile [STREAM]

New music from The Babies! Here's "Moonlight Mile", the first single from their sophomore effort/Woodsist debut Our House on the Hill, out this fall. It's another solid track, with Kevin Morby singing the lead - they're so consistent!!

Pre-order "Moonlight Mile" on 7 inch vinyl, backed with non-album track "Places" on side b. That has an official August 14th release date, so mark it on your calendar!

HOT TRAXXX: Sam Flax - Fire Doesn't Burn Itself [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Sam Flax - Fire Doesn't Burn Itself

Sam Flax

"Fire Doesn't Burn Itself"

Age Waves

Burger Records 2012

Director: Sam Flax w/ OutofFocus.tv

Hey! Here's a great video for Age Waves' opening track, featuring the Flax band seamlessly interspersed with some bonkers vintage clips - you're gonna dig it!

I still cherish this tape, which is sadly sold out :( but Burger is doing a vinyl press set for release on September 17th, so that's gonna rule a whole ton. Let's all keep our eyes peeled for it!

(via Gorilla vs. Bear)

The Best Song Ever: Beachwood Sparks - Forget the Song [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Beachwood Sparks - Forget the Song

Beachwood Sparks

"Forget the Song"

The Tarnished Gold

Sub Pop 2012

How great is the new album?? BWS 4EVER!

Echo Lake - In Dreams [VIDEO/MP3]

MP3: Echo Lake - In Dreams

Echo Lake

"In Dreams"

Wild Peace

Slumberland 2012

Director: Lisa Ambjorn

I've seen a few reviewers take a gentle shit on this record, but fuck them - I like it a lot. It's best when taken as whole and it really deserves a closer look, so make sure you're wearing your glasses. Anyway, this vid is real neat and is a great visual representation of this band's sound and feeling. You feel me?