My music discoveries of 2015
Most end-of-year lists are compiled of songs from that current year. That's fine and all, but great music is timeless and you might discover things later, so my list will be a bit different. These are things I discovered last year, some old some new.
I don't use Spotify or other streaming services. I keep my ears open, read music blogs and watch what Youtube suggests. Works pretty fine for me! So here we go in more or less order of discovery. This is not some highbrow you-should-listen-to-this-even-though-I-don't stuff, this is actual stuff I play regularly. Warning: these are all bangers.
Noel dropped a bit of the radar for me. But man, has he still got it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jKUf3ppgnA
Of course the National is a household name, but I had a teacher this year who was a fan so I dove into their anthology and only then discovered this gem. It's much rawer and less refined than their later stuff. Love it.
https://youtu.be/vMrMFA2fMYs?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
You're gonna like this track by Motorama. How can you not.
https://youtu.be/07FdNR6ikHI?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
If anything on this list counts as a guilty pleasure, it's probably this track by Houndmouth.
https://youtu.be/Y8wifV5RYr8?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
The best-of-list that our group of friends compiles for our annual weekend getaway brought this diamond to my attention. Belgian. Of course.
https://youtu.be/8IXj3QAX_14?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
Crystal Stilts are a post punk band from New York. What can I say, I like his singing.
https://youtu.be/frvlSkqorYM?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
You should know by now I'm a fan of Small Black (and I keep bugging them on social media to tour Europe). I don't know any other band that's able to match their visuals to their sound so perfectly. Their songs are usually about the innocence and volatility of youth. This track is no different.
https://youtu.be/p8bswaJma_M?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
On to the more heavy stuff. This is probably the most urgent song you'll hear this week year.
https://youtu.be/3ou_ohqC-4c?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
The Silversun Pickups try to take it to the next level and produced a small movie. Even though "we only want it with the lights out".
https://youtu.be/x4IDM3ltTYo?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
Warning: you will wake up tonight with this chorus in your head. Yes you will. Goodbye horses.
https://youtu.be/X_DVS_303kQ?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
There are few things that thrill me as much as the sound from this next band. They get it. Dirty hair, barely there attitude, Fenders and turtle necks. And that drummer is of the charts.
https://youtu.be/FQN7uacxnQY?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
Remember McLovin? He has a mustache now. Are you ready for it?
https://youtu.be/-gj4_qp4a28?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
Deer Tick has that great sort of low brow Americana sound. I love it. This stuff is on repeat.
https://youtu.be/4SDyB2TrWl4?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
The very best discovery is probably this track. Because it doesn't get much realer than this. Guy + guitar singing his heart out. In a thrift store. Of course.
https://youtu.be/cJOM2zfEXho?list=PLz4yCIZrXWMC-fwd7L8L_72fH_apFraPL
Update (bonus): How could I forget this track. I have no words for how great this is. A cappella nonetheless. The guy behind the mix panel, with his back turned to the camera, is a true master of his skill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckVYO9oI8vc
So what are your best discoveries?