September 2013 : Music Haul

I'm attempting to be concise today, but this month does not make it easy. Transitioning into "slower music", I am getting ready for Fall-time. When will it approach Texas? Unknown, but I'll listen to some of these albums inside and just pretend that everything is a-ok.

From August to September, I've been listening to:

• ∆∆∆∆∆∆ I don't need to say more than that
• Kacey Musgraves. She's infiltrated my music wall. Or actually, I opened the door and let her in. She's actually great music to listen to when you're on the road. Sing-able, relateble, beat-y.

From September, I've been listening to (in order of importance):

• HAIM's full-length (out tomorrow I think) Days Are Gone. I wrote about them a while back, and I'm gonna be that person. I said they were gonna be big and now look, they are at ACL and they sold out their ACL after show already. They rule, they make me want to be a in a girl band. "Days Are Gone" and "My Song 5" are jammy jams but "Go Slow" will always be my all-time favorite. 
• CHVRCHES's new album, The Bones of What You Believe. Pretty sure I started listening to this Scotland trio from this girl. Thanks Urs. "Lungs" is a good one and "Recover" is something I can play for months (speaking from experience). 
• Lorde. I forget when her album comes out, but it was streaming on VH1/Mashable. You'll probably hear it at your next house party if you haven't already. 
• London Grammar. Flashes of Florence Welch happen when I listen to London Grammar. I kind of refused to like them when they released "Wasting My Young Years". But this music is melancholic and full of soul (I think "soulful" has a different sound). 
• Bastille. If you need convincing, watch this. I promise, it will be the best 3 minutes of your life and you'll be wondering why you're not listening to them already. Swoonfest, Bastille is so good. Thanks Jaqs. 
• Volcano Choir. Justin Vernon's other music venture. Touches of Bon Iver, but it's not the same. You can definitely hear his distinct voice and sometimes, that's all I need. I'll continue to spin Bon Iver every time it rains though. Nothing can replace that. 

Revisited:

• Generationals. This band and I met again this month (on Spotify), it's been a long time. I really love their album Actor-Caster, my 4th year is making me realllll nostalgic. 
• Explosions In The Sky. Speaking of nostalgia, Friday Night Lights anyone? I saw them perform again recently and was just wrecked. They are SO good live. "The Only Moment We Were Alone", holy emotions. 
• Cults. My first year? My second year? Their album was my soundtrack, they've got a new one coming out soon...so I guess that's why I revisited. "Never Saw The Point"- yes. It's doo-wop-y but it's not doo-wop! 
• Arctic Monkeys. Remnants of high school exist and listen to this band and their songs like "Balaclava" and "Florescent Adolescent"..."The best you ever had/the best you ever had/ is just a memory". All of the lyrics, y'all.

Single Tracks:

• Wanna Know by Dan Croll
• 101 Vultures by Alex Winston (fyi, explicit)
• Prairie Girl by Rah Rah
• Let Me In by Snowmine
• Beach by San Cisco (Bye Summertime, I won't miss you much)
• Roar by Katy Perry (I have to. No shame.)
• Golden Girl by The Naked And Famous

August 2013 : Music Haul

Summer is fleeting and school is in session.....

Goodbye August, I will miss your sweet summer sounds that get me to dance or croon me to sleep.
Hello September, it's my final September in college, I'm trying to not cry.

From July to August, I've been listening to:
Benjamin Francis Leftwich. He can sing me to sleep every. night.
CHVRCHES. Can't wait for their album release next month. SEPTEMBER IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD Y'ALL.
Growl. Went to their show that kicked off their Hella Hot Summer Tour. They played new jams, can't wait to hear the studio versions. (Sidenote: Houston music scene is...different.)
Alt-J. I don't know when there isn't a time that I don't listen to this band, I just got this on vinyl last month and on that note...
Houses. I just got this on vinyl. Like two days ago. I don't know when I'll stop listening to this band either.

From August, I've been listening to:
Jesse Woods. Am I seeping back into my alternative/indie/folk/rock-self? Maybe.
Western Lows. I do judge an album by its cover. Sometimes a lot of times. They had a cool one, so I gave them a chance.
Phospherescent. Before, I had only heard "Song by Zula" (which I thought was epic, yes, I am going to describe that song using the adjective "epic"). I started listening to that album, Muchacho and now I'm making my way through the other albums. I like it.
The Virgins. Revisited this artist but never listened to their music fully but I am digging their album, Strike Gently.
Carousel.
Superhumanoids. I remember when I [probably] touched elbows with these band members when they played at the Warby Parker Circus SXSW event two years back. I am in love with their new album. I thank Hannah for reintroducing me to them. "Black Widow" - that one got me *I'm pointing to my heart*
Kacey Musgraves. For all who know me, I don't do country. I love OCMS and I love my share of folk, but that's not country. "Back On The Map"- give this track a chance, then give Kacey a chance, she'll sneak up on you.
Washed Out's newest album, Paracosm. I'm going to admit it, I listened to this album because of the cover art. I should really do a separate post about that. Cover art is important to me.
The Smiths. I attribute this artist to my one and only Megan B. This gets me through work sometimes, and other times, I just listen to it because I freaking love it.

[Thanks to the chrrywd boys, my music taste is branching out (re: Phospherescent, Wilco, Dawes, and AA Bondy).]

Revisted: Everyone Likes to Feel Nostalgic:
N'SYNC. "I Want You Back", "It's Gonna Be Me" - thank goodness for Spotify because it's how I relive the 90's.
Flight of the Conchords. Best sing-a-long's ever.
Lord Huron. Screams wanderlust, travel, and adventure.
Destiny's Child. re: N'SYNC but songs like "Bootylicious", "Bills, Bills, Bills"
(old) Justin Timberlake. One word: "Señorita"
Dawes. I listened to Dawes back when I was super into Delta Spirit, Deertick, and Middle Brother. Revisiting this reminds me to take things a little bit slower than my usual frazzled self. "So Well" and "Time Spent In Los Angeles" - those two songs, yes.

Single Tracks:
Periodic Table by Bent Denim (read the blog post below for a review and a listen)
Tempest by Lucius (I think their full-length is releasing in October? I love Lucius, you'll thank me later)
Long As You're Home by Houndmouth (this gives me major THATH vibes)
Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys (slow dirty rock sounds, I've missed listening to these dudes)

July 2013 : Music Haul

Honestly, this month's music haul is a little bleak. It could be the increasing busyness of this month, the slight laziness, or music just wasn't happening for me. Please tell me what I've been missing, hitting a music wall is the worst. After compiling this haul, I've noticed that a lot of the music I've been listening to is upbeat...because summer = upbeat...right? With the exception of rainy days...those days- I have to listen to artists like Bon Iver and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. 

From June to July, I've been listening to:
Growl. They were awesome at backyardtogetherness.
Vampire Weekend. Continuing to listen to their new album because it's consistently perfect for July/Summer.
Pacific Air.

From July, I've been listening to:
Benjamin Francis Leftwich. This might be due to the 24/7 streaming from my brother BUT, I kind of love him. He can serenade me all day, any day, every day. "Butterfly Culture" is my favorite song.
Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail. I basically listen to "Holy Grail" everyday because J-squared rules. "Tom Ford" is a hit track, very danceable.
Smith Western's new album, Soft Will, because everyone wishes they could relive their high school prom. Smith Westerns never fail to make me feel that way even though we never had a live band at our high school prom, a girl can wish.
I tried to getting into country and I am failing. Am I doing it wrong? I'm from Texas after all...


Revisited:
(∆) Alt-J's Awesome Wave, because I just got it on vinyl. (eeeeee!)
The Morning Benders, because summer
Purity Ring, I really wish I saw them live, plz have a separate show aside from ACL
Justin Timberlake, because he can sing Africa by Toto
Local Natives, I like watching their La Blog Takeaway shows. Nostalgia rings through me because that was the first show I went to by myself.
Ellie Goulding, I started listening to her first album. She's amazing. Remember "Everytime You Go"?
Bon Iver, it rained here and there during July and I will put on Bon Iver every. single. time.

Single Tracks:
Run By Kill It Kid
Baby I Am Nobody Now by Andy Bull
King City by Space Ghost
In/Out by Dan Croll
Astronaut Etc's cover of Youth Lagoon's '17'
Africa by Toto

June 2013 : Music Haul

From May to June, I've been listening to:
I'm really going through a phase of Houses, so... expect them to be in every music haul until X. The track "A Quiet Darkness" is becoming my new favorite but my love will always stay with "Tenderly". I saw them live a couple of weeks ago. The sound was tragic and beautiful.
Daughter. You'd think this would be more of a winter jam but it makes for nice reading music or just laying-on-the-floor music. Their KEXP set is incredible. They're coming in September I think? I need a concert fund..
Still Corners. They're dreamy. I saw them earlier this month. "Fireflies" is a good one.

From June, I've been listening to:
Austin-locals, Growl - Thrashing, hyper, fun-time, summer time music.
Vampire Weekend and their newest album, Modern Vampires of the City. This album is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums of the year.
Pacific Air and their first full-length album, Stop Talking. I am pleasantly surprised with this album. I pretty much love every song sans "Intermission" but who knows, maybe it will grow on me. My favorite track has got to be "Play Nice" or "Sunshine". It's the summer, I couldn't not have "Sunshine" as a favorite track.
Imaginary Friend. Found this off of IC's mid-year favorite albums blog post. Reminds me of Sleeping At Last and The Head and The Heart (Sidebar: I hear THATH is releasing their second album soon, exciting!)
BOY. They aren't really new to me but I finally started getting into their album this month.
Dabbling in Porcelain Raft.


Revisited:

Bloc Party. With their recent announcement of a hiatus, I had to and then I found myself listening to them again and again. 'Signs', 'Kreuzberg', 'The Healing' - some of my favorite tracks.
CHVRCHES. Especially after I saw them perform live at the Mohawk earlier this month. So dancey. So feely. I like everything about CHVRCHES and I can't wait to listen to their debut album when it drops this September.
LUCIUS. Because they're amazing. I can't wait until they release their debut album in the fall!!
Jay- Z. Because I'm reading his book, Decoded.
Dry The River. They were one of my favorite acts at ACL 2012, if you get a chance to see them live- do it.
Alt-J (∆). "Bloodflood", can't get over it.
Lord Huron. Summer road jams. The road is calling me everyone, I need to go.

Single Tracks:

The Neighbourhood - No Grey and $ting
Washed Out - It All Feels Right
Smith Westerns - Idol
Mikky Ekko - Kids
Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Ryan Hemsworth Remix)
TV Girl - Easier To Cry
Andy Bull - Keep On Running
Rogue Wave - California

And this video:

May 2013 : Music Haul

 porch life

This music haul covers a lot of tracks (pun intended).
There's a different sound for all sorts of summers, here's what I mean:
Porch life - more folksy perhaps? You could also just do straight up rap, we do both.
Beach life - indie synth pop // light-hearted // maybe there are shakers involved
Road life - this can take two directions - 1) upbeat, blah blah blah OR 2) contemplative, maybe woodsy music
Choose one, choose all.

*Links take you to YT video or some listening link!*

From April to May, I'm still listening to:

Houses. Houses... and more Houses. I feel like I've been winding down my day with listening to A Quiet Darkness. I am stoked to see them when they're come to town in June. 'Tenderly' is my new favorite.
The Neighbourhood from time to time. Their album I love you. is made for cruising in your car.
Cayucas's Bigfoot album is your summer soundtrack to the beach, pool, or anything that is a body of water. Listen to 'A Summer Thing' and tell me I'm wrong.
Balmorhea, especially 'Baleen Morning'. So soothing. It's music for the hangouts that don't really require much talking, you can just sit there together, and be present.

From May, I've been listening to:

Kisses, Kids In LA is another summer album. Disco-y indie pop. SO L.A. (Just kidding, what does that even mean?)
Lily & Madeleine, because their dreamy voices. I'm having visions of First Aid Kit.
MS MR's debut album, Secondhand Rapture. 'Fantasy' is a great track and I also love 'BTSK'. Lizzy's voice is like a velvety Florence Welch. And a little bit more ghostly, orchestral- actually, I think that's why it reminds me a lot of F+TM but reinterpreted. Easily one of my favorite performances of South by. Kudos to them for being on the ACL bill this year.
Daughter's debut album, If You Leave. Elena's voice is purity.
Lorde, I posted about her below. Catchy beats. Reminds me a bit of Sleigh Bells, what do you think?
Giraffage, (I keep wanting to spell this "giraffe")

Revisited:

Tokyo Police Club's Champion and Elephant Shell album, dance-y road songs
Death Cab for Cutie's The Photo Album and Plans album, fleeting day sounds
Bloc Party's track 'Sunday' because it's just so dang good

Single Tracks:

Long Days by I will, I swear
Nova Scotia by Magic Man
Paranoia by Nosaj Thing x Chance The Rapper
Gun by Chvrches
Instant Crush by Daft Punk (ft. Julian Casablancas)
Try by Nosaj Thing (ft. Toyo y Moi)
West Coast by The Neighbourhood
3am Spiritual by Smith Westerns
Tessellate (Alt-J cover) by Ellie Goulding