The somewhat obligatory favourites of 2013 post: part two

Tracks time! I chose 40 favourites even though there were a fair few more, 2013 seems to have been a great year for individual songs, albums not so much. But you can read about my favourites here if you wish. I included a couple of my favourite videos too. Consider it a Christmas present.


Christopher Owens - New York City
Cults - I Can Hardly Make You Mine
Drenge - Bloodsports
Astral Pattern - Sitting In The Sun
Foals - Inhaler
Metronomy - I'm Aquarius
Let's set the scene. It is late 2013. After the absence of Metronomy at Reading/Leeds, (the band had played something like seven years in a row) everyone is left wondering what happened to them. A short clip of some "shoop doo doo aaahhhs" appears online, and the people continue to speculate. The first taste of Metronomy's fourth album "Love Letters" only adds to the theory that if you open a dictionary and look up "groovy" you will in fact just find a picture of Metronomy. 
Wild Smiles - Tangled Hair
Spector - Decade Of Decay
SKATERS - I Wanna Dance (But I Don't Know How)
Tripwires - Spacehopper
A dreamy, whirring title track from one of Reading's new(ish) bands(Also see Sundara Karma.)Never mind Spacehopper, this is a real head bopper. 
Parquet Courts - Stoned And Starving
JAWS - Gold
Crystal Fighters - You & I
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - So Good At Being In Trouble
MONEY - Goodnight London
Drowners - Long Hair
My absolute favourite track of the year, and quite possibly, ever. At just under two minutes long, it's tough not to hit repeat again and again. Carefree, catchy and charming. That may be a lot of Cs but this track gets an A* from me.
Best Coast - Fear Of My Identity
Temples - Colours To Life
White Lies - Big TV
Cults - So Far
Kanye West - Bound 2
CHVRCHES - The Mother We Share
Peace - Lovesick
Drenge - Face Like A Skull


This is the song that made me change my mind about Drenge, and the video is simple yet works pretty well, and I can't quite pinpoint why I like it so much.
Wavves - Sail To The Sun
Parquet Courts - You Got Me Wonderin' Now
Drowners - Luv, Hold Me Down
Palma Violets - Step Up For The Cool Cats
Superfood - Superfood
MS MR - Fantasy
Christopher Owens - Love Is In The Ear Of The Listener
Splashh - All I Wanna Do
I don't actually care that this came out in 2012, it had a re-release, making it acceptable to list it in my favourites of this year as well as last year. To be fair I would put it in my favourites of every year. Very fun to whistle to.
Swim Deep - She Changes The Weather
Foals - My Number
MONEY - Hold Me Forever
Palma Violets - 14
Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
White Lies - There Goes Our Love Again


There is something about really nice choreography that makes me want to like, cry. This is a prime example and every time I watch it I am just mesmerised by the routine and it makes me really want to take up dancing again.
The Orwells - Who Needs You
Icona Pop (ft. Charli XCX) - I Love It
That one you hate to love. Or love to hate. The brutal simplicity of lines like "I crashed my car into a bridge / I don't care I love it" almost make you want to adopt this way of thinking. Once you've played it a few times, you don't care and you do in fact, love it.

Look at us in New York City

Look at us in New York City: a playlist

I luuuuv New York. Even though I have never been there and it's my absolute dream to, it is one of my favourite cities, next to London, which luckily I don't live too far away from and can visit frequently. New York has thrown up a load of amazing bands and I decided to put together a collection of tracks from some cool bands / artists that are based in NYC. With some tracks about New York thrown in for good measure.

Did you know you can only have two tracks by the same artist or from the same album on 8tracks? I didn't until now.

Tracks:

1. The Strokes - New York City Cops
2. Parquet Courts - Master Of My Craft
3. SKATERS - I Wanna Dance (But I Don't Know How)
4. Drowners - Luv, Hold Me Down
5. Blood Orange - Bad Girls
6. Vampire Weekend - Diane Young
7. Cults - Go Outside
8. DIIV - Past Lives
9. The Drums - Forever And Ever Amen
10. SKATERS - Deadbolt
11. Blood Orange - I'm Sorry We Lied
12. The Strokes - Hard To Explain
13. Parquet Courts - Stoned And Starving
14. Christopher Owens - New York City
15. The Drums - Best Friend
16. DIIV - Wait

Listen on 8tracks

(Image from coach.com via Pinterest)

The somewhat obligatory favourites of 2013 post: part one

It's nearing the end of 2013 wow yes it's flown by etc etc but now is the time where everybody and their non existent pet ostrich bust out lists of their favourite albums, songs, videos, gigs, whatever. I am not exempt from this and making lists is so much fun so here are my favourite albums of 2013!
In my opinion there haven't been that many great albums this year, but a handful were outstanding and some others a bit disappointing. But we won't talk about those. (Yet, at least)

White Lies - Big TV
White Lies' third album was always going to be amazing. White Lies can do no wrong. White Lies are the best thing since sliced bread. And I appreciate the concept of sliced bread a lot considering I cannot cut bread straight. After an incredible debut and an equally good follow up album full of atmospheric anthems that make you want to dash to your nearest mountain and shout at the top of your voice, Big TV certainly had a lot to live up to. But it definitely didn't disappoint. Like, at all. Even after the opening seconds of Getting Even, the first glimpse into what's on Big TV (oh yes what a pun) you just knew that this was gonna be one of the best albums this year. Big TV totally lives up to it's name see it's bursting with big choruses, big vibes and in general big tunes that enhance the White Lies live experience even further.
Favourite tracks: Mother Tongue, Big TV, Goldmine, There Goes Our Love Again

Drenge - Drenge
Drenge appear to be one of those bands that you either love or just aren't your cup of tea. You can either absolutely love them and feel like, proper #hardcore or something when you listen to them, or a bit like "what on earth is this noise up in my grill?" Admittedly, to begin with I was feeling the latter. But after a few more listens of Bloodsports I eventually came around. The album itself sealed the deal for me, as well as many other people I assume. A whole 38 minutes of mosh pit worthy anthems, (oh my god that is the cringest thing ever but it's the only way I can describe them)from the rowdy sounds of Bloodsports and Gun Crazy to the frankly quite incredible Let's Pretend (I'm not much of a fan of longer tracks so that is saying something) and the enthralling Fuckabout, there is something for everyone. Well, almost I guess.
Favourite tracks: Face Like A Skull, Bloodsports, Backwaters

Cults - Static
Cults are another band that to me can do no wrong. After an amazing 60's infused debut in 2011 (a pretty good year album wise, let's be honest) everyone was kind of left wondering what had happened to Cults for a while. I Can Hardly Make You Mine popped up spontaneously over the summer and showed the world that they hadn't lost any of the charm that littered their first album. Static is somewhat darker, with the slower tones of High Road and No Hope giving the album a slight twist. Madeline's very distinctive vocal style paired with the somewhat repetitive and samey tracks (in a good way) certainly aren't for everyone but they totally are for me so I'm putting Static in my top albums of the year, ennit.
Favourite Tracks: I Can Hardly Make You Mine, so Far, We've Got It

Splashh - Comfort
I felt like I was waiting my whole life for this album (okay so about a year but we all know I'm a fan of hyperbole) and the release delay of three months certainly didn't help. But when it did eventually drop (a whole month earlier than expected on the nicest blue vinyl that just about makes it the best piece of plastic I own) I'd say it went straight into my top three of the year. Since the majority of the tracks were previously singles it takes some getting used to to hear them all collectively as one album. Every song is amazing nonetheless and the term "summer soundtrack" defined. In my opinion it's actually quite an under-appreciated album, perhaps overlooked by other releases like Where The Heaven Are We and In Love, you know all of those bands that surfaced around mid 2012.
Favourite Tracks: All I Wanna Do, Headspins, Need It, Lemonade

MONEY - The Shadow Of Heaven
Another how do I put this? Somewhat disgustingly under-appreciated (that's pretty extreme) album, this time from Manchester's MONEY. This is not the album to stick on at a party, but instead a hauntingly charming collection of tracks to give you goosebumps. Their sound is unique; light and eerie and incomparable. Big and atmospheric yet soft and subtle, tough to describe. Either way it's a fantastic album, infused with hints of piano and drenched in frontman Jamie Lee's elaborate vocals.
Favourite tracks: Hold Me Forever, Who's Going To Love You Now, Bluebell Fields, Goodnight London 

Other honourable mentions:

Palma Violets - 180
Favourites: Best Of Friends, Last Of The Summer Wine, Step Up For The Cool Cats, 14

Peace - In Love
Favourites: Bloodshake, California Daze, Lovesick, Waste Of Paint

Icona Pop - This Is... Icona Pop
Favourites: I Love It, Light Me Up, All Night

Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold
Favourites: Stoned And Starving, Light Up Gold II, Master Of My Craft, Careers In Combat 

Forgiveness

Way back in 2010, a band called Dom from Massachusetts released their debut EP, Sun Bronzed Greek Gods. It featured this absolute game changer of an anthem called Living In America, which later featured on a 4Music advert that just seemed to come on TV every five minutes. The band released a second EP and after a collaboration with Madeline Follin of Cults on a song about arguably the best haircut imaginable, (the bowl cut) Dom announced that Dom were no longer a band but a solo project. In more recent months we saw a name change from the very Google unfriendly (also see Peace, Girls) Dom to Kiss 1o8. (with intentional O not 0) How confusing.

Anyway, with a lineup change and change of name comes a change in sound. Debut Hyperfantasy XL is still crammed with the sugar drenched dancey vibes that appeared on Dom's previous EPs. This release seems to lack Dom's distinctive vocals and lyrics about honeys going surfing, with only a few samples here and there. One of which is in the third track also titled Kiss 1o8, and it is one of those songs that was always played at your school disco. Always. But I can't quite work out exactly what song it is.
Bleach throws up some similar vibes to Family Of Love's Happy Birthday Party, wheras Turf Lords sounds like driving arcade game music. That can't be a bad thing, right? Overall the album has a fair few 90's trance moments, mixed with noughties pop, with a bit of psychedelic magic sprinkled on top. Worth a listen, however in my opinion it doesn't quite match up to Dom's previous material. To be fair that one about how sexy it is to live in America did set some pretty high standards.

Like, really good songs I can't stop listening to

These past couple of weeks I've found myself listening to some -radicool- new music and slowly (very slowly) trying to get through the long list of albums I need to listen to. Amongst all of this exciting stuff are some real gems.

Parquet Courts - He's Seeing Paths
He's Seeing Paths is the final track on Parquet Courts' brand new EP, Tally All The Things That You Broke. In true Parquet Courts style, it's weird. About seven minutes of cow bell and intercom buzzer kind of weird. But it's good weird. After listening to so many songs under two minutes my tolerance for long songs has dropped significantly. Although this is pretty much the same all the way through, it sure doesn't feel like it. And it's a real headbopper. And a good walking speed. What more could you want?

Kanye West - Bound 2
I went to see Spector a couple of weeks ago and this was the track they walked out to. I haven't managed to give Yeezus a full listen so this was the first track from it I heard, when Kanye performed on Later Live with Jools Holland. I like it, like, a lot. I'd say it was in my top five Kanye tracks and I can't quite put my finger on why.

Cults - So Far
A slice of Cults' new album Static (which is out now how exciting!!) that retains the 60's girl group ballady quality that featured on their debut. Potentially my favourite from the album. (It was also one of the tracks that was in the album trailer)

Icona Pop - All Night
I'll be the first to admit that while I don't like the majority of "chart music," Blurred Lines is a catchy song and Icona Pop are really good. Let's face it, I Love It is a strong contender for best song of the year. The Swedish duo have a real talent in creating the most infectious, singalong pop music. All Night is almost too catchy to hate. I reckon Icona Pop's album is gonna be a real game changer.

SKATERS - Deadbolt
Keeping with this New York theme (see Parquet Courts, Cults) Skaters' new track is worth a listen. They aren't half good at putting together a chorus that you want to shout at people in the street (won't you give me one more try / or kiss my friends goodbye, I wanna dance but I don't know how) and if this track is anything to go by their debut album will be something special. And the laugh at the end followed by "no problem" Skaters' 'slogan' if you like, just makes it.

MONEY - Bluebell Fields
I've heard a bit about Money and I thought I'd give them a listen because I really like the artwork for their album Shadow Of Heaven (okay that is not the main reason but merely a key factor - I was curious to see what they sounded like because the word money capitalised just screams obscene rap, doesn't it?) and when I got to Bluebell Fields I had to hit repeat. No obscene rap here, just hauntingly pretty, dreamy echoes. 

The way we were before

Out of all of the amazing album releases to get excited about this year (Palma Violets' debut 180, White Lies' Big TV, I could go on) I think I'd say I was most excited about this one. The second release from New York based Cults. The band released an incredible 60's girl-bandy debut in mid 2011, and have been pretty quiet ever since. I Can Hardly Make You Mine surfaced in the summer and hinted at what the duo had been up to. Madeline and Brian may no longer be dating, but their music certainly hasn't lost the chilling charm that made people interested in the first place. 

I think it's fair to say that Static is somewhat darker than the self titled first offering, whilst retaining twirly, dreamy sounds and Madeline's glorious unique vocals; one of the key factors in distinguishing Cults from just about every other band on the planet. On the first few listens it's a bit tough to pick out individual tracks. For a lot of bands I find this pretty annoying and in some cases quite off-putting, but in the case of Cults I think it works. It makes listening to Static more of a journey than a collection of tracks.
I'm a sucker for a good debut album and it's rare that my favourite album by an artist isn't their first. So while nothing can top Cults for me, Static is a fantastic album nonetheless. It definitely fulfilled my expectations and I'd stick it in my top five favourites of the year in a heartbeat.

My favourite tracks are I Can Hardly Make You Mine, So Far, We've Got It and No Hope.

PS I love what they've done with the artwork and how it kind of looks like the first. It's like it's showing a continuation or something like that  

I don't live my life like you do

Ever since Frenchkiss records tweeted about the prospect of some exciting Drowners related news, I've been keeping an extra close eye on everything from Instagram to Twitter (at one point I did think about having notifications sent to my phone, but that's another story). When I got back on Wednesday I was greeted by a Facebook post with a link to a studio version of Luv, Hold Me Down. (queue shaking, hyperventilating) To coincide with this new single, there was news of Drowners' self titled debut album, set for release in late January. I'm so excited. Like, SO excited. I might do a countdown. After playing debut EP Between Us Girls to death it was refreshing yet strange to hear something new from Drowners. I had high expectations, and I wasn't let down. Luv, Hold Me Down is sweet, catchy and is, in true Drowners fashion, under three minutes long. I've racked up over 100 plays already in less than 24 hours. In the words of Icona Pop, "I don't care, I love (luv?) it."
It's even a free download on their website. I love free downloads nearly as much as I love Drowners.

✿ A brief guide to DIY badges ✿

After many long, stressful battles with Blogspot I've made the decision to move my Tumblr-based blog (of the same name) over to Blogspot. I'm not moving every single post over and I'll still keep the other one open to post on the odd occasion, but I thought I'd start with this tutorial which has since become a ground-breaking phenomenon. Slight exaggeration. But, my badges did appear on Drowners' Instagram and I've seen people scattered over Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram making their own. World takeover phase one - complete.

Are you on a budget and can’t afford your favourite band’s badges? Does a band you like not have a badge set and you want to show your appreciation to the world? Are you feeling cool and creative and other fancy adjectives such as those? Then THIS is the thing for you.

For this you will need:

• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Sticky tape
• A pencil + fineliner pen (in whatever colour obviously, I opted for black and a bit of red)
• A glue stick
• Sticky-back plastic / book covering / whatever else it’s called
• Thin card
• (Thick) paper (I use the stuff out of my drawing sketchbook, it’s not too thick or too thin)

I’m going to demonstrate this with a more simple badge because quite frankly I cannot be bothered to make another banner right now. However, it’s exactly the same concept except from the fact you’re going to draw a banner, and the application of the sticky-back plastic requires a lot more patience.

To begin, draw out a design onto the paper (or even cut a photo out I don’t know, embrace your freedom) and cut it out with or without a border.

Next, glue it onto the card and cut it out again. Repeat this step to ensure the badge is sturdy and won’t bend when you’re wearing it and dancing to some cool music or something. Your badge should now be three layers thick, one layer of paper and two of card.

Next get a safety pin on a suitable size and tape it to the back of the badge.

Cut a piece of sticky-back plastic and peel off the backing. Stick it onto the front of your badge. (Do excuse my nail varnish-less hand)

To finish, cut slits around the excess plastic. This will make it a lot easier to fold it around onto the back, especially around any curves.

And that’s it! Now you have a cool DIY badge to show off to your friends, other people on the internet, total strangers, pets, whatever

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial (are tutorials enjoyable things?) and more to the point I hope this actually made sense and you found it somewhat useful. If you choose to make one, or several in fact, feel free to show me via Twitter or Instagram if you want!