My music discoveries of 2016
Last years' post was pretty popular, so let's continue this. You know the rules, so let's go!
I've always had a soft spot for Conor Oberst's (aka Bright Eyes) fragility. After a rough period he dropped a new album, with pearls like this next one. Only 3,594 views so far, we should all be ashamed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuSJc4DXrRQ
To stay a bit with fragile singer/songwriters, this big man John Moreland will break your heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNCabzJ8KJI
Declan McKenna seems like one of those rare talents. No band, shaggy hair, oversized T-shirt, 2 mikes, drummachine, guitar looper and one powerful song. I remember watching this and being kind of awestruck by his voice. I'll be keeping an eye on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbmTlirOP4M
Of all the musicians that died in 2016, Merle Haggard will probably take a modest place in people's memories. But he was one of a kind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbZ3VdYb90o
New Order is of course one of my all time favourite bands. In 2015 they had a new album, with lots of great tracks (like this one). This extended mix for a track The Game is from March 2016. This song has some great breaks and tempo changes. Love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqIz3xA0Hpg
I admit I know nothing about this next band. But this sounds fun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVG8Batu-Ac
When you name your band Hoops you know you will get my attention. Their sound reminds me a bit of Small Black. This is pretty much a perfect summer anthem. Just too cool (yes, terrible pun, sorry).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVUj2oEFPG0
To keep with the summery vibes, this next track from Bloudhounds On My Trail is named Over the Wall. Sultry and sweltering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVSd9ej3SzE
Our podcast first few episodes borrowed the intro from this track. Mystery solved!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hdm3EHxD6U
I mentioned Dark Wave in this post, I discovered some more tracks from this genre. But this song was one of the first. Be advised, it's a bit strange. But then again, they're German.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPw7nlluRdc
If you like this, you are gonna love the next song too. This one is from a friend of mine. A touch of Joy Division, a dash of New Order and a whiff of Dark Wave. Just how I like it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRqUKj0HBow
Reading Bruce Springsteen's bio kickstarted me going trough his entire discography, The Promised Land stands out as a pretty powerful and pivotal song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrKh1zxv_rQ
Confession time. I feel like I only discovered this (incredibly famous) Dylan song last year. I don't think I paid a lot of attention to it before, because I was so familiar with the Wovenhand version (which is terrific in its own right). But come on, I should have known, nobody does it like Dylan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBV6hH7pGlU
So, what were YOUR discoveries of 2016?! I am always curious to know, feel free to drop it in the comments.