Glee and Indie find common ground with Lykke Li
Photo: Courtesy of Flickr user whittlz. Designed by Amy Wecker and Cristina Doi.
Indie fans deserve love too. The oft overlooked genre has tons of music that fits the M.O. of spring: lying around and going out. Here are some of our picks to complete your spring indie playlist. Check them out after the jump.
“Sunlight” by tUnE-YaRdS (Album: BiRd-BrAiNs)
Unlike some of the musicians that garner Pitchfork’s Best New Music rating, Merill Garbus, the lead singer and creative force behind tUnE-YaRdS, actually lives up to her hype. Although only time will tell whether or not her peculiar but hypnotizing brand of artistry will remain successful, she is undeniably talented. “Sunlight,” in particular, showcases her artistic palette, ranging from a blissfully syncopated chillwave to a catchy, approachable chorus. “Sunlight” was released in June 2009 on her first album, BiRd-BrAiNs.
“Not In Love (Ft. Robert Smith)” by Crystal Castles (Album: Unreleased
Featuring The Cure’s Robert Smith on “Not In Love” (Crystal Castles’ best- known single) transforms the song from a contemplative and sweet ode to lost love into an urgently paced, heart-wrenching dance anthem. Wait for the powerfully psychotropic synthesizers to drop about a minute into the song. “Not In Love (ft. Robert Smith) was released as a single on iTunes in December 2010.
“Dystopia” by YACHT (Album: Shangri-La)
YACHT creates more drama in the first ten seconds of this song than many bands do in a lifetime. If you’re not wowed by the tightly tuned harmonies, enjoy the throbbing, sensual pulse and seductively dark lyrics. YACHT released “Dystopia” as a single in March 2011 and will feature the track on their new album, Shangri-La, set to drop in June 2011.
“I Won’t Be Found” by The Tallest Man on Earth (Album: Shallow Grave)
This tinny bluegrass ballad would feel at home in a smoky bar in Nashville, but its ironically diminutive lead singer would long for the icy fjords of his native Sweden. Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth, has a poetic approach to lyrics, which alternate between nonsensical and hauntingly perfect. His most impressive feature, the rasping honesty in his voice, makes you pay attention to a man whose emotions clearly run deeper than his words can express. Take note of his arpeggiated finger-plucking and forgive him his mustache. He’s European. The album Shallow Grave features “I Won’t Be Found” and was released in March 2008.
“Houdini” by Foster the People (Album: Torches)
You should only listen to this song if you’ve already heard Foster the People’s hit single “Pumped Up Kicks”. If you haven’t, check this out (http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ). I’ll wait. “Houdini” is the slightly more complex and infinitely more rewarding older brother of “Pumped Up Kicks”. While “Pumped Up Kicks” goes straight for the pop jugular, Houdini buries the hook a little more capably, showing off their grasp of a more advanced beat and harmony structure than “Pumped Up Kicks” has. Of course, the song is still pretty basic, but with my iTunes play count rapidly approaching triple digits in the last month, I can’t really complain. Their first album, Torches, will be released on May 24, 2011.
“Love Lust” by King Charles (Album: Love Lust/Mr. Flick)
Once you start this video, take a moment to chuckle about Charles’ tremendous mane of hair. Get it out of your system, then recover and restart the song. Listen up as King Charles builds an intricate crescendo of instrumentation. The song starts in harmonic a cappella, and soon Charles shows off his Chopsticks-level piano skills alongside a militaristic drummer. Gorgeous guitar riffs snap into position as the lyrics become increasingly frenzied (“Whether a flower in my hand or a gun in my hand, I’d give it all up for your hand in my hand. For the sun on my skin as the morning begins, I’d die in the dark just to feel your skin on my skin”). By the time Charles starts wailing, I’m willing to forgive the hairstyle choice. I also kind of want to know where he shops for clothes. King Charles released Love Lust/Mr. Flick in September 2009.
“All I Need [Soulja Boy]” by Clams Casino (Album: Clams Casino)
Some songs encapsulate a feeling rather than tell a story. Clams Casino takes Soulja Boy’s “All I Need” and transforms it into a lush, tense orchestration that seems to be the soundtrack of an out-of-body experience. Close your eyes, turn this song up and let your mind wander. Clams Casino’s instrumental mixtape was released in March of 2011.
“Young Blood” by The Naked and Famous (Album: Passive Me, Aggressive You)
The Naked and Famous is just beginning to live up to (part of) its name, touring the country with relatively successful indie bands like Freelance Whales and Foals. Nominated for the BBC’s prestigious “Sound of 2011″ award alongside buzzbands like James Blake, Yuck, and Jessie J, you can expect TNAF’s glittery synth section to wind up on the mainstream radio rotation this summer. Just don’t expect Pitchfork to give it a Best New Music accolade anytime soon. It’s far too accessible. The single dropped in May 2010, with the album Passive Me, Aggressive You being released in September of that year.
“I Follow Rivers” by Lykke Li (Album: Wounded Rhymes)
Take the grungiest organ you can find, add a jungle beat, and mix in Sweden’s sultriest songstress (Li’s covers include Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’”). If you’re a regular Pitchfork reader (or, in an devastating blow to Li’s hipster cred, a regular Glee watcher), you’ve heard “I Follow Rivers” before. If not, allow me to be the first to introduce you to this stunningly beautiful Swede’s most popular single. “I Follow Rivers” was released in March 2011 on her Wounded Rhymes album.
“Costume Party” by Two Door Cinema Club (Album: Unreleased)
It’s easy to get excited about this infectiously energetic single from Two Door Cinema Club. Surgically plucked guitars and lush synths combine to create a twitchy but exhilarating jaunt in the vein of Vampire Weekend. Since it hasn’t been officially released on an album, I’m not sure when the single hit the blogosphere. However, blogs have been obsessing about this single as early as March of 2010.
there is so much wrong with your lede that i don’t even.
I love King Charles!