Summer! Also: Get well soon, KoL

Exams are conspiring to make this the least fun few weeks of my life. That means posting is likely to become grouchy/irregular. I thought about just posting some playlists of mine over the coming weeks with a few comments. Then I realised that would be incredibly lazy. Then I thought, it’s still lazy but I’m going to do it. And as a reminder, we compiled a summer-ready playlist for you last year; it’s worth checking out. Enjoy these next few weeks. If you have exams, bear with it; if not, bear with whatever ‘it’ you have:

Kicking everything off is one of my favourite bands, fun. with a video that includes both fluffy dogs and LSD-level psychedelics. Naturally, I love it. (the bit with the box instruments is partix inspired):

Let’s tone things down slightly. Andrew Bird is always perfect for summer (Oh No starts about every other dinner party in my house) and his latest track is Eyeoneye is great. This is quintessential summer. Breezy enough that you don’t really have to listen to every word but clever enough not to slam your iPod by the poolside. Plus, Andrew was whistling way before Flo Rida:

And kicking things back into action, albeit lazy, southern action: Kings of Leon. KoL can always be counted on to provide a soundtrack for summer and Come Around Sundown was their most summer-suited record yet. This video doesn’t so much scream summer as announces in a persuasive, tempting southern drawl. That’s way better, in case you were wondering:

As I mentioned on Wednesday, hip hip typically is not my thing. But, once again thanks to Community, I’m listening to an awful lot of it at the minute. Find out who after the jump (unless you read the post title..).

Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, is fucking hilarious. He is so brilliant on Community it’s unreal (“I didn’t get Inception!”). But Donald is a very talented boy and, based admittedly on my little knowledge, is an awesome hip hop artist.

Freaks & Geeks (an amaaazing show) is awesome. Although I find it weird hearing Troy swear, it’s still rad. (Note how I am not doing much analysis, I really am a rookie..)

Gambino also has a new collaboration with Beck!? It’s called Silk Pillow and it’s a classic example of why Gambino is so awesome. He’s an outsider on the genre and can come at it with wit and charm.

P.S Also when he does the notches on the desk is one of my favourite things ever.

Nothing big for today, I just wanted to share a lovely little song that has been playing off my laptop constantly and helping me get through my studying. Off of Shlohmo’s EP, Vacation, this song is another quietly gorgeous track to add to his growing collection of gems. Take a listen:

Happy Thursday audience. Stomacher have released their third album. Is it any good? Find out my thoughts after the jump.

In short, yes. But I’m sure you want it in long so we’ll do it your way. Stomacher are San Franciso’s answer to Interpol and the recent rise of the likes of White Lies and Hurts over on this (better) side of the pond. Jarrod Taylor’s five piece rock band, who I am a first time listener to, have successfully crafted a record to compete with any one of these three.

The husky vocals combined with strong guitar lines and well placed synth make Clara an album of pure, unadulterated indie rock. Their previous, Sentimental Education, undeniably had the beautiful Untitled/Dark Divider (above) to make it a record worth owning for anyone, but Clara is a big leap forward. Never is this more clear than on the band’s first single, Motel, a song packed full of musical drama. It’s a song that belongs on the poor quality, but always awesomely soundtracked, CW shows.

While this is the band most obviously playing to their strengths, my pick of the bunch comes in the form of the mellower and more classically U2 sounding Hounds. With the clear influence of the likes of The Killers and even a touch of Joy Division, it’s a super song that is unnervingly addictive.

Later on in the (slightly too short) LP comes The Flower Cart, a somber ballad that shows some real depth to the group’s abilities to make music, effortlessly striking an emotional chord. Overall a fine record leading me to wonder, why are we not being bombarded with Stomacher endlessly on our radio three albums in? With the release of Clara, it probably won’t be too long until I can stop wondering and we can all start listening.

First things first:

Gorgeous, right? Soft and intimate, but still packed full of meaningful lyrics and melodies that feel almost therapeutic. I told you that you’d like it, and I’ll tell you right now it gets better. There’s a free download available from MS MR’s Bandcamp page. The band have also released an awesome retro-feeling music video that is worth checking out:

You’re welcome.

I’ve watched an awful lot of Community in my time off. This is probably the third run through. If more of you were like me, Dan Harmon would probably still be in his job (Shame on you!).

Anyway, I’ve watched Chang dancing a lot (see above) without finding out what song it was. Until today! Going Crazy is an awesome hip hop song (can you believe I’m writing about hip hop) and my revision song at the moment. Since the full song isn’t on YouTube, you’re going to have to put up with another of their songs, Fancy.

P.S. When I say revision, don’t worry, it’s more just sun tanning.

Pairlove

This sunshine is almost unbearable – and not in a ‘I hate when the weather is happy’ grouchy way – because I’m stuck inside revising German nationalism and Virgil when I want to be outside lying in the sun/eating ice-cream. It’s cool, in a month’s time that’s what I’ll be doing. Until then I can only live vicariously through others. Step one: Grouplove’s Spun.

This reminds me of every summer I’ve ever had. It’s a heady mix of beach vacations, music festivals and overheated bus journies. It fills me with a near-unbearable longing for sun, sea and  . . . sunglasses. I think the top YouTube comment sums it up:‘

‘This video makes me so happy.

We were all accepted to our colleges/universities and had nothing to worry about parents nagging on about post-secondary education. We were so eager to face this next chapter of our lives.

The entire trip was funded by us. We had our first sweet taste of independence.

No more deadlines, no more structured routines,

but new places to see. The excitement of discovering something entirely fresh.

Youth is sweet.’

Quite. Enjoy the video:

Studying is SO BORING. This song is not. It’s gently relaxing and has a groovy side to it, two characteristics that don’t usually go hand in hand. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go memorize some poems about farming in the 18th century. Who said my life wasn’t packed full of thrills?

I love free stuff. Always, even when it’s mediocre. When it’s awesome, it’s a fantastic way to kick off your weekend. After the jump may be the best free thing you’ve got in months!

The Static Jacks are American. They sing with an English twang but I won’t complain about that – if I were American I would want to sound like I do now!

They released their debut album last summer and have followed it up with The Spray Tan EP. It’s all free from the band’s website and every song is tops. Personal favourite is Swift Foxes but Young Guns is quality too. Don’t know if the boys have toured in the UK yet but there must be the potential for them to pick up a huge following here!? Best thing since House out of New Jersey.

Ghostly/Beachy

Sorry for not posting in the later days of last week but excuses are boring so let’s move on. Ghost Beach are a duo from NYC and Miracle is everything I love in a song. It’s got a killer electric groove, heartfelt lyrics and brilliant pop flashes. I’ve fallen in love; you should, too:

Also: In London, it’s wonderfully hot and listening to this with my windows open is the most perfect thing ever. You can find more of Ghost Beach’s music over at their website. Enjoy Miracle below: