On Repeat - 6/1/2011

MP3: White Denim - Street Joy

Whenever I hear this band's name I think about the crisp, fresh-to-death bleach-y white pair of jeans I owned when I was in the 5th grade. Similarly, White Denim's "Street Joy" is a bit of a throwback. Psychedelic guitars are the background to frontman James Petralli's gentle yet raspy Southern drawl. D, the band's fifth album, dropped last week.

MP3: The Vaccines - Wetsuit

UK buzzies The Vaccines finally released their debut What Did You Expect from The Vaccines? stateside yesterday. Usually categorized by fast-paced and short-in-length songs like previously released favorites "Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)" and "If You Wanna", the filler songs on this album are much slower and less spastic, complete with warm background vocals and more sophisticated lyrics. Still, The Vaccines manage to remain consistent in writing simple songs that are fun to sing along to and require no embellishment to achieve listener satisfaction. "Wetsuit" displays this new experience of The Vaccines' sound. Also be sure to check out "Family Friend." Heartbreaking song (in that good kind of way).

MP3: Savoir Adore - Sparrow

So yeah, I guess you could say we like Savoir Adore. You can grab newest song "Sparrow" from Neon Gold. Usually it's Deidre's voice that gives us chills, but Paul is the one who stands out on this track. So great to hear new stuff from them.
MP3: Foster The People - Call It What You Want

Yes, I am aware that Foster The People are totally a guilty pleasure band. My affection for them is completely due to the tall drink of water that is their bass player and the fact that it's impossible to get "Pumped Up Kicks" out of your head for about 3 days after hearing the chorus. Unfortunately, new album Torches does not live up to the expectations set with their Foster The People EP. "Call It What You Want" is basically the only think salvageable from this record. If you already have the EP, you can forget the rest.

MP3: Britney Spears - Till The World Ends

Another guilty pleasure. She's never been before, but seriously I can't stop playing Britney Spears' new tune "Till The World Ends." I hope you guys are still my friends.

On Repeat - 5/25/2011

MP3: Low - Especially Me

Are you guys sick of this weather yet? Seems like NYC isn't as keen as the rest of us to start off the summer. "Especially Me" by slowcore greats Low has been occupying space on my iPod as the perfect accompaniment to melancholy walks through the city in abnormally gray May weather.

Sub Pop has a wayyy excellent Summer Sampler available for free download through the iTunes Facebook app. That's where I ganked this track among other beauts from Fleet Foxes, Chad VanGaalen, Mogwai and more of the label's stellar artists.

MP3: Infernal Devices - Fast Enough

"Fast Enough" by Brooklyn dance pop outfit Infernal Devices has been making me smile ever since I learned about them through new music discovery site groopEase (pretty cool, worth checking out). The sound is a bit Depeche Mode meets Billy Idol, so that can't be a bad thing right? Also, check out their new artist profile up on Blaqbook, the blog of my good friend Justin.

MP3: Okkervil River - Wake And Be Fine

Austin indie rock veterans Okkervil River have released a hell of an album with this month's I Am Very Far. First single "Wake And Be Fine" is a true rock tune that sounds like it could have come out of the 1980s.