(or roughly 2.30 hours).
Here's a collection of great songs from 2011. Lots were left out.
(tracklist inside the player)
2011. 50 ALBUMS
In a year where law makers and the entertainment industry made more pressure than ever to try to regain some power against piracy - therefore make independent artists life harder, we also had more mediums and ways of sharing and distribute music blossoming. Major allies of independent music - sites like Soundcloud and Bandcamp - became, once and for all, vital for artists and listeners while more ways of accessing music (user radios, podcasts) gained popularity. I believe we passed the halfway point of a cultural movement that is going towards a highly personalized way to release and consume music.
Tomorrow I'll say a few things about albums and artists from the list below. Also, highlights and a podcast with 45 songs from 2011.
49 RAINBOW ARABIA BOYS AND DIAMONDS kompakt
48 VARIOUS ARTISTS A TRIBUTE TO CLUB TROPICANA VOL. 2 beko dsl
47 HONG KONG IN THE 60S MY FANTOMS proper songs
46 RADIATION CITY THE HANDS THAT TAKE YOU apes tapes
45 YOUTH LAGOON THE YEAR OF HIBERNATION lefse
44 SUMMER CAMP WELCOME TO CONDALE moshi moshi
43 YOUNG GIRLS YOUNG GIRLS home skool
42 ROMANTIC STATES A SHELL IS BORN self released
41 UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA fat possum
40 COMET GAIN HOWL OF THE LONELY CROWD what's your rupture?
39 MOUSTACHE OF INSANITY ALBUM OF DEATH fika
38 HUNX AND HIS PUNX TOO YOUNG TO BE IN LOVE hardly art
37 JESPER LUNDAGER DYEING LILIES BRIGHTER COLOURS self released
36 SCATTERED TREES SYMPATHY roll call
35 THE FOREVER PEOPLE THE FOREVER PEOPLE self released
34 EGIL OLSEN KEEP DREAMIN - KEEP MOVIN ellersoul
33 NICK CAMILLO AD INFINITUM a little bit weird
32 THE BILINDA BUTCHERS REGRET, LOVE, GUILT, DREAMS self released
31 CULTS CULTS columbia / in the name of
30 GENERATIONALS ACTOR-CASTER park the van
29 JINJA SAFARI LOCKED BY LAND cooperative music
28 BART & FRIENDS STORIES WITH THE ENDINGS CHANGED lost and lonesome
27 LA SERA LA SERA hardly art
26 VIOLENS NINE SONGS static recital
25 MATES OF STATES MOUNTAINTOPS barsuk
24 CODE PIE LOVE MEETS RAGE flagless
23 MANEL 10 MILLES PER VEURE UNA BONA ARMADURA warner
22 BIG TROUBLES ROMANTIC COMEDY slumberland
21 SECRET CITIES STRANGE HEARTS western vinyl
20 DESTROYER KAPUTT merge
19 ACID HOUSE KINGS MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU labrador
18 CRAFT SPELLS IDLE LABOR captured tracks
17 HEHFU MUSIC FOR MY BROKEN EARS bleeding gold
16 KALLE MATTSON ANCHORS parliament of trees
15 SWTHRT COMPACT DISC self released
14 LITTLE JUNGLES WUT'S GOIN THRU YER HEAD self released
13 THE SOUND OF ARROWS VOYAGE skies above
12 SEAPONY GO WITH ME hardly art
11 VARIOUS ARTISTS ONE YEAR OF ORIGINAL MUSIC FROM FEBRUARY RECORDS february
10 GOLD-BEARS ARE YOU FALLING IN LOVE? slumberland
09 SEA LIONS EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEA LIONS slumberland
08 FAN MODINE GRATITUDE FOR THE SHIPPER daniel 13
07 LA ESTRELLA DE DAVID MARACAIBO canada
06 THE CITY AND HORSES WE WILL NEVER BE DISCOVERED paper garden
05 LA BIEN QUERIDA FIESTA elefant
04 TENNIS CAPE DORY fat possum
03 EAST RIVER PIPE WE LIVE IN RENTED ROOMS merge
02 AZURE BLUE RULE OF THIRDS hybris / matinée
01 FRENCH FILMS IMAGINARY FUTURE gaea
2011. TOP 30 SINGLES+EPs
I think 2011 was an exciting year when it comes to singles and - specially - EPs... I can tell that I was more excited coming up with this than the list of best albums. Not that there weren't amazing albums in 2011, but to go back and see the amount of great EPs was very satisfying and pleasurable...
There were so many great new artists that released music as singles or EPs. The popularization of Bandcamp and Soundcloud also was a major contribution and I had spent my share of time wandering through those sites, looking for new artists. As a result, 19 of the 30 releases listed below are self releases.
30 THE FANTASIES EARTH LIFE self released
29 LA OLA QUE QUERIA SER CHAU EY BONITA, GUSTAN DE VOS TODOS MIS AMIGOS! self released
28 LENZIE MOSS WHERE EAGLES DARE self released
27 BURNING HEARTS INTO THE WILDERNESS shelflife
26 YOUNG WRISTS FUCKED UP IN THE HEAD self released
25 DANIEL RODIN ANOTHER TOWN self released
24 UNIVERSE CARRIZO PLAIN self released
23 LITTLE CHORDS LITTLE CHORDS self released
22 DOM FAMILY OF LOVE astralwerks
21 DELAY TREES BEFORE I GO GO self released
20 WONDER BEAR AVALANCHE absent fever
19 THE SORRY SHOP THANK YOU COME AGAIN self released
18 STAND UP AGAINST HEART CRIME LOST IN TIME AND SPACE self released
17 ECHO LAKE YOUNG SILENCE no pain in pop
16 BURNING GOD LITTLE NOTES ON BEING SNOWBLIND nabovarsel
15 AN INTRODUCTION TO SUNSHINE SNOW TIRE eyes four
14 HEART-SICK GROANS LOOK!!! THESE THREE PAINTERS OF HITS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN self released
13 KARIBEAN LOVE, TEARS AND SPIRITUAL BLESSING self released
12 LA OLA QUE QUERIA SER CHAU OJALA QUE ESTE VERANO NO NOS MATEN self released
11 PURE X YOU'RE IN IT NOW light lodge
10 WE, THE MODERN AGE! EP 2011 self released
09 DIRTY GOLD ROAR autumn tone
08 RADIOSEVEN RADIOSEVEN self released
07 COMPUTER MAGIC ELECTRONIC FENCES white iris
06 THE PANDUHS CATCH A WAVE self released
05 FLAG WHITE LET GO self released
04 FRENCH FILMS GOLDEN SEA* gaea
03 AIR DROPS EP self released
02 STAND UP AGAINST HEART CRIME STAND UP AGAINST HEART CRIME self released
01 KIDS ON A CRIME SPREE WE LOVE YOU SO BAD slumberland
*from 2010 but discovered in 2011. Too good. Had to mention.
PERSONAL FEELINGS
1 KIDS ON A CRIME SPREE released an EP that in 10-15 years, will be a classic. People will always return to it to get the feeling of this moment. It captures and translates the musical spirit of our times. It isn't the EP I've heard the most this year, but I feel it has a different weight (and by weight I don't mean importance or relevance).
2 STAND UP AGAINST HEART CRIME was the discover of the year. First release was a self titled EP with a minimal-wave, aseptic, melancholic and futuristic collection of songs and then when I thought I knew or had their music figured it out, the band comes up with 2 marvelous songs with warm guitars and dreamy melodies.
3 Electronic music was best heard in EPs this year.
3.1 AIR DROPS released a piece of art in form of bits with evocative and profound sounds; probably one of the releases that most 'spoke' to me.
3.2 FLAG WHITE brought us the richest landscape of electronic dreams, culminating in a song called Alaska - the romantic digital anthem of the year.
3.3 RADIOSEVEN gave us one of the most compelling combinations of space station futurism and pop music of 2011.
4 KARIBEAN released GREGORIAN SPRING, a timeless and anthemic indie pop song that fills my heart with joy. Simple melodies and far-from-over-produced songs can't go wrong.
5 COMPUTER MAGIC is going to be big. 2011 proved that.
6 LA OLA QUE QUERIA SER CHAU is a band from Argentina and its freshness is absolutely addictive. Unpretentious summery tunes. One of the bands I wanted the whole world could listen...
7 THE SORRY SHOP is from Brazil and comes from my homestate, Rio Grande do Sul. ABOUT KINGS AND QUEENS I alone makes this EP a must listen of the year. Beautiful and urban as few things heard this year.
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 38 fernanda schneider
She has a collection of musical instruments, including a ukelele, maracas and a few keyboards/synths... every now and then I hear she crafting lovely melodies in her bedroom.
She has a great collection of books on feminism and gender bender culture.
In 2012, she'll be showcasing her dancing skills on a remake of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights' iconic video and her cat - Amora - will be THE viral cat of the Internet.
The idea for this special came from her. She has a blog that I think she should write more.
blog last.fm
TOP 5 POP CULTURE ITEMS OF 2011 ACCORDING TO FERNANDA
1. ANOTHER EARTH, by Mike Cahill and THE FUTURE, by Miranda July – whatever, I’m quoting: “Reality is always formative. It is not a mere ‘here’ and ‘now’... reality is always a process of actualization of potentialities. It is no less ‘real’ or ‘objective’ in terms of what it could be... [than in terms of] what it is at any given moment.” Murray Bookchin said that, and that’s it: these are films that find their narratives in the potentiality of things.
2. KALINDA SHARMA, from the Good Wife – I had never watched The Good Wife until this year. I made up for it by watching all of its two first seasons in less than a month. It’s OK. Actually it’s pretty smart and nuanced. But the best thing about it is Kalinda, a laconic, bisexual, badass investigator with leather boots and a very idiosyncratic scale of values. Addictive.
3. FRENCH FILMS, TENNIS and CRYSTAL STILTS – their albums (IMAGINARY FUTURE, CAPE DORY and IN LOVE WITH OBLIVION, respectively) were, for me, the best of this year, no contest. Most of these were recommendations from Felipe, knowing that I would love them. These end-of-year lists are always so subjective that I always wonder what I should write to defend my choices. I guess my quest for new music is just a quest for the same old feeling that listening to a great new song gives me. That’s it… I just like songs, and theirs are awesome!
4. THE HONEY BADGER video – surely by now everyone and their mom watched this video and might be sick of it. But I don’t care (I don’t give a shit), because it’s brilliant, and because pretty much all of its sentences became part of our vernacular at home.
5. GIRLS TO THE FRONT - THE TRUE STORY OF THE RIO GRRRL REVOLUTION, by SARA MARCUS – this is actually from last year, but it was the very first book I read this year. It chronicles the stories of a lot of bands I liked, especially as a teenager. But to call it a chronicle makes it sound like it’s just history and, well, it is, but I also felt incredibly inspired and moved by this book. Moved as in the verb, to move. It made me want to do stuff, anything really.
But since this blog is about music, here you go: my top 30 songs (in alphabetical order)
1 BRAVE IRENE NO FUN
2 CRYSTAL STILTS RADIANT DOOR / FLYING INTO THE SUN
3 DIRTY GOLD NORTH
4 EGIL OLSEN DO IT YOURSELF
5 FAN MODINE MEET ME AT THE END OF THE LINE
6 FRENCH FILMS CONVICT / ESCAPE IN THE AFTERNOON
7 GENERATIONALS GOOSE & GANDER
8 GIRLS HONEY BUNNY
9 GIRLS NAMES I COULD DIE
10 GOLD-BEARS ARE YOU FALLIN IN LOVE?
11 HEART-SICK GROANS SURFER FRIEND
12 HUNX AND HIS PUNX KEEP AWAY FROM JOHNNY
13 IS TROPICAL LAND OF THE NOD
14 KAKKMADDAFAKKA DRØ SØ
15 KATE BUSH WUTHERING HEIGHTS (OK, an exception – not exactly released in 2011. But I’m obsessed with it!)
16 KIDS ON A CRIME SPREE DEAD RIPE / SWEET TOOTH
17 LCD SOUNDSYSTEM ALL I WANT (LONDON SESSIONS)
18 LA BIEN QUERIDA QUERIDOS TAMARINDOS
19 LADY GAGA BORN THIS WAY
20 LITTLE JUNGLES DRIVE YERSELF CRAZY
21 MATES OF STATE BASEMENT MONEY
22 THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART BELONG
23 PALMS ON FIRE BIRDS IN A SUPERMARKET
24 SASKATCHEWAN DREAMBOAT
25 SEAPONY GO AWAY
26 THE STROKES UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS
27 TENNIS LONG BOAT PASS / MARATHON
28 TUNE-YARDS POWA
29 THE WAVE PICTURES LITTLE SURPRISE
30 THE VANDELLES GET AROUND / MY TIME
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 37 leonardo la terza
Today, I'll be featuring my roommates - Leonardo and Fernanda - and their choices for 2011.
Let's start with Leonardo. An avid writer, reader and the go to person of the house when the subject is movies and pop culture in general (specially music, as you'll see below). Oh, he's also becoming quite popular among witty twitter users in Brazil.
twitter last.fm
"Here's some singles I feel like writing something about, which doesn't make them better than those I'm not saying anything about at the bottom but just motivated me enough to actually type some words about them. They're all amazing.
BRITNEY SPEARS I WANNA GO
This is the type of track Britney sounds most comfortable with (upbeat, hi-NRG fun). She's almost squealing in the pre-chorus ('shame on meeee/to neeeed releeeease'), and she's singing this material -rather generic, admittedly- with such enthusiasm you can't help but move along with her. And when those whistles kick in, you're already dancing. Loved it.Other honorable mentions from "Femme Fatale": "Till The World Ends", "Hold It Against Me" (one of the most underrated tracks she's ever done), "How I Roll", "Trip To Your Heart", "Criminal".
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE SHAKE IT OUT
It's a beautiful song all over, but what made me love it is the emotion Florence Welch puts into the verses (especially "tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground"), as well the gorgeous chorus and the way it builds to its wordless climax, as if she has succumbed to the overwhelming percussion and beat.
FOXES YOUTH
This caught me by surprise. There's something vulnerable about it, like the singer is somewhat unsure of herself. It begins with a synth-line and starts building from there, like it's slowly gaining confidence and then as if she's eager to get something off her chest. It's done beautifully. And I love how it comes to a halt during the bridge, like a mood shift.
LADY GAGA BORN THIS WAY / THE EDGE OF GLORY
Like all of Gaga's "Born This Way" album, they were designed to be big, and by big I mean REALLY FUCKING BIG. The momentum achieved in both these great songs is so huge it could leap off buldings and fly away. "The Edge Of Glory" gets so worked up at one point that a sax solo enters the proceedings to avoid the song from collapsing under its own weight, a similar feeling you have while listening to "Born This Way", with its suspenseful, urgent strings in the beginning suggesting both a storm coming and the moments before a birth, and then exploding with immense exuberance.
Other honorable mentions from "Born This Way": "Heavy Metal Lover" (if this song is released as a single next year, and I hope it does, it will probably be somewhere in my top 3), "Scheiße", "Americano".
LANA DEL REY VIDEO GAMES
I find it difficult to describe a feeling about this song. It's chilly the same way it's affecting. It is sung with tenderness but it could be just sarcasm, judging by some of the lyrics. I think it's that hard to define vibe that makes it mysterious and special and, for me at least, makes it linger. Either way, it remains a great, high drama tune.
NICOLA ROBERTS BEAT OF MY DRUM
I didn't enjoy the album "Cinderella's Eyes" as much as I'd anticipated, but it had its moments. For me, it either hit the mark or missed it completely. This track I enjoyed right away. It comes on with cheerleader chants as Nicola commands us to dance to the beat of her drum. And then a giant drum beat makes its way into the song during the middle 8, proving she's determined about it. It all feels a little like Nicola stated while making the video for this song, 'A little bit wrong and a little bit right at the same time' and that's how usually the best surprises in pop music happen.
Other honorable mentions from "Cinderella's Eyes": "Lucky Day", "Gladiator".
SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG
It's a case of Selena Gomez raiding Kylie Minogue's vaults and snatching this track for herself. It's not quite the slow burner Kylie would've probably turned it into, but this will do. Selena is no Kylie (she's barely Hilary Duff), and she sings this without much character, but there's something steaming in the production, as if it's pulsating for release, that makes this worth listening over and over again.
THE SOUND OF ARROWS WONDERS
I usually have a problem making 'top [insert number here]' lists because the first positions are always too hard to decide. This list is alphabetical, but if I had to pick a song to be at the top "Wonders" would probably be it. From the moment you first hear the synth-line you suspect it's going to be huge, and then you're sure of it. If the lyrics suggest at first a lost love, the meticulous and gorgeous production elevate it to something more. It is hard to pin down a certain emotion, because it sounds intimate and euphoric and melancholic all at the same time, but that actually makes it even more special for me. Bonus points for the spectacular video.
Other honorable mentions from the album "Voyage": "Into the Clouds", "Magic", "Ruins Of Rome", "Longest Ever Dream", "Conquest", "Nova", "There Is Still Hope", "Disappear" (actually, the whole thing, really)
Some other singles that although I'm not saying anything about are totally great as well so you should go ahead and listen to them;
CAGE THE ELEPHANT SHAKE ME DOWN
COCKNBULLKID YELLOW
CUT COPY NEED YOU NOW / BLINK AND YOU'LL MISS A REVOLUTION
DAVID LYNCH GOOD DAY TODAY
ERIC SAADE POPULAR
FLORRIE I TOOK A LITTLE SOMETHING
FOSTER THE PEOPLE PUMPED UP KICKS
NEON HITCH GET OVER U
PATRICK WOLF HOUSE / TOGETHER
QUEEN OF HEARTS SHOOT THE BULLET
SKY FERREIRA 99 TEARS
RIHANNA WE FOUND LOVE (feat. CALVIN HARRIS)
ROBYN CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND
SLEIGH BELLS RILL RILL
THE SOUND OF ARROWS MAGIC
ST. LUCIA WE GOT IT WRONG
TAKE THAT BEAUTIFUL
TARYN MANNING TURN IT UP
WILL YOUNG JEALOUSY
I would also like to give a shout to the really nice CHEMICAL BROTHERS' HANNA score, though it technically doesn't have any proper 'song' or 'single'.
DARK HORSE AWARD
BLACK EYED PEAS JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH
I'm of the opinion that proper credit should go where it is due, even if the artist/band in question is almost always a recurring suspect in your Pop Music Offender List. I'm not much fond of the BEP's music and you will not find me listening to them to unless something weird is happening and, for me, "Just Can't Get Enough" is that weird thing, like somebody asked them to be "a little more Japanese". It features a sweet, quiet chorus, and begins leisurely, as if they're just playing with some ideas. It eventually develops into something bigger, but just when you fear it's going to burst into their usual club-hammering beats and ruin the whole mood it suddenly ends, which I thought was so. totally. weird.2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 36 neil vento (the panduhs)
The Panduhs is a 3-piece band from Northern California that was born from the ashes of a hip hop act.
In 2006, with the combination of synths, guitars and super fun lyrics, Neil and Frank started to write under-3-minutes surf pop songs about beaches, love, friends and keyboards.
Lively, sunny, danceable as hell and I-don't-get-why-so-underrated.
Release after release, they've become more addictive and sugary awesome. Catch a Wave is their latest EP and features fours 2011 gems.
facebook soundcloud twitter interview
"These videos are 2011 for me. All of these videos are actually local bands from the San Francisco-Oakland area. I really enjoy all of these artists and I hope you do too!
HUNX AND HIS PUNX CRUISING
NOBUNNY
SHANNON AND THE CLAMS SLEEP TALK
GIRLS HONEY BUNNY
A1 CHARIZARD (POKEMON THEME SONG)
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 35 bart & friends
I'd say the band is a super band, because it's formed by members from some of the greatest indie bands from the past 15 years. I'm talking about The Lucksmiths, The Cat's Miaow, Hydroplane, Black Tambourine, Fred Astereo, The Shapiros, The Pines, Summer Cats, The Zebras...
They make short pop songs with a breezy, early 90's feel; with a musical aesthetic and timeless melodies that sure have appeal among indiepop kids everywhere.
Their latest album 'Stories with the endings changed' was released by Lost and Lonesome (owned by band member Mark Monnone, previously from The Lucksmiths).
ps: how can one not love a musical project that has Pam Berry involved?
info interview (cloudberry cake proselytism)
"Bart & friends
Mark, Bart, Scott, Louis, James. (Pam inside at her crafting table)
BART'S MOST LISTENED TO BANDS
BART'S MOST LISTENED TO BANDS
THE AISLERS SET
so jealous Mark got to play with/see them last month
so jealous Mark got to play with/see them last month
THE MIDDLE ONES
amazing songs, beautiful lyrics and incomprehensible vocal arrangements
amazing songs, beautiful lyrics and incomprehensible vocal arrangements
THE SUNNY STREET
if my copy of their new cd had arrived sooner they would’ve easily been my most listened to band of 2011
if my copy of their new cd had arrived sooner they would’ve easily been my most listened to band of 2011
BROADCAST
was extremely fortunate to see their second last show in Melbourne. Ive never missed someone i never met so much
was extremely fortunate to see their second last show in Melbourne. Ive never missed someone i never met so much
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
every song i write is a bad reworking of Sunday morning
every song i write is a bad reworking of Sunday morning
PAM BERRY'S TOP FIVE SOUNDS TO CRAFT BY IN 2011
AMOR DE DIAS STREET OF THE LOVE OF DAYS
stitching hooded corduroy cape for lulu's BFF daisy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pernfors88/6386065893/
LOVE FOREVER CHANGES
making valentine's day gingham buds for ava + lulu
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pernfors88/5475148000/
STEREOLAB MARGERINE ECLIPSE
printing easter cards for spring fling craft fair
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pernfors88/5602901474/
LAURA CANTRELL KITTY WELLS DRESSES
embroidering the girls' drawings onto lauren's tea+cakes birthday tablecloth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pernfors88/5720114574/
GO-BETWEENS BELLAVISTA TERRACE
printing covers for second hangover lounge EP
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pernfors88/5565646453/
SCOTT STEVENS' TOP 5 LP'S OF 2011
WAX IDOLS NO FUTURE
MIKAL CRONIN S/T
VERONICA FALLS S/T
WIDOWSPEAK S/T
GOLD-BEARS ARE YOU FALLING IN LOVE?
JAMES DEAN'S TOP 5 AUSTRALIAN SONGS OF 2011 NOT BY ANYONE IN BART & FRIENDS (because they would fill the top 5)
1. LOWTIDE UNDERNEATH TONIGHT
2. THE SAND PEBBLES DARK MAGIC
3. THE TWERPS BLACK EYES
4. ROYAL HEADACHE REALLY IN LOVE
5. TERRIBLE TRUTHS PATTERNS
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 34 warren chan (ferns)
Ferns is a band from Malaysia. Their sound is ultra dreamy, warm, filled with Chan's whispered, relaxing vocals and an astonishing collection of beautiful melodies soaked in delicate reverbs.
Pure, pure, pure heartfelt and heartwarming indie pop.
In 2007 they released On Botany, the best album of that year. A few days ago, their second album - Fairweather Friends - was released. Pretty sure you'll see it on the best-of-2012 list of this blog and a few others.
facebook twitter bandcamp soundcloud
ALBUMS
It's hard to believe that a Malaysian one-man-band has been releasing such quality pop music in obscurity (and completely for free) as long as this guy has. But it looks like this is the year that Law breaks out with this killer collection. Imagine Dave Fridmann's ear for production intricacies melded with the songwriting and vocal chops of Prince, Buddy Holly, Brian Wilson & anyone else from your favourite record collection.
The year that "spectorgaze" finally outgrew it's lo-fi ghetto, thanks in large part to Dum Dum Girls' new effort. The songs are immediate and strikingly brain-adhesive. And free from the mush of previous releases, vocalist Dee Dee reveals voice that grips you. Hard.
American indie pop's finest couple deserve a medal for being around as long as they have, raising a family AND still making quality tunes that put younger, trendier bands to bed early.
A return to form for some, but in my opinion, Wilco are never off-form. This album, however finds them at the right balance of pop sophistication and passionate performances.
Overlooked because it was released early in the year, BSP's latest proves that they're always an interesting, crazy proposition even when making populist music. These songs could be simultaneously stadium anthems or stuff you go bonkers raving over in your undies.
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 33 remi (the sunny street
The Sunny Street started as a duo/couple formed by Remi and Delphine in 2006.Their first songs were written/recorded between packing and goodbyes while moving from France to England.
Their songs could be best described as idilic, easy listening, escapist bedroom pop. They have a exquisite delicacy and romantic atmosphere that one could feel in a vast, empty field or alone with headphones while sitting in a park.
So far, they have releases on Lavender, Cloudberry, Slumberland and their latest album 'Hidden For Decades' shows a more upbeat side of the band and it was released via Plastilina Records.
facebook tumblr bandcamp soundcloud
"It's been difficult to pick because I listen to all the new stuff months and sometimes years after they released... I am rubbish.
These 5 songs have been important to me this year and this morning in particular (you know how these things change all the time) and I am a bit of a cheat because two of them are taken from reissues.
Right here is:
THE DRUMS HOW IT ENDED
YELLE QUE VEUX-TU?
DISCO INFERNO THE LAST DANCE
THE WAKE ON OUR HONEYMOON
DEVON WILLIAMS REVELATIONS
2011. BEST FOR GUESTS. 32 ben klein (wonder bear)
Despite the young age, they have consistently released extremely mature and creative songs, experimenting with music in a very fresh, texturized and original way.
Blissful bedroom pop with an enchanting, mysterious and sometimes haunting fairy tale atmosphere.
They have 5 singles/eps released. The latest is Avalanche, released under Absent Fever.
bandcamp facebook
ps: after Ben's albums of the year, you can get a mixtape he made!
ALBUMS
BEN'S MIXTAPE
And here's a link to the mix I made:
It's called Slow Songs for Small People Driving Big Cars. A mix of some songs from 2011 and some older ones. Hope you dig it.