indiewave

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A round-up of the best songs released during the second quarter (April 1-June 31)

Far Caspian – “An Outstretched Hand / Rain From Here to Kerry”

This is technically an “in no order” type of list, but this might be my favorite song of the year so far. It breaks into three distinct segments, all essential to the emotional arc. The climax in the middle isn’t quite hard enough for headbanging, but I definitely tweaked my neck from some overzealous head nodding

Post Animal – “What’s A Good Life”

By this point, most of us have had our “oh shit, Steve Harrington from Stranger Things is Djo?!” moment.  But have you had your “oh shit, Steve Harrington from Stranger Things is in Post Animal?!” moment?  If not, they live in the same general landscape as Djo, just a little more retro, and maybe even a bit proggy

Das Kope – “Wood House”

Let’s get a little weird.  This one almost lulls you to sleep with its trancelike verses before dropping a funky burst of psych to wake you up.  The whole thing feels like getting lost in the woods while tripping on acid.  It takes an impressive song to paint such a vivid picture

SEES00000 – “T00STEP”

Ever wonder what artists do on the tour bus?  If you’re SEES, Mk.gee, and Zack Sekoff, then apparently you chop a Robert Plant deep cut into a gritty dance track with bass that hits harder than the subs in your high school weed dealer’s Honda Civic.  Kinda chaotic; but by the second listen you’ll have one hand on your belt and one in the air screaming “thru with the 2 step!”

Loaded Honey – “Don’t Speak”

If you like Jungle’s electronic/soul hybrids, then this side project from core members, J Lloyd and Lydia Kitto, is worth a listen. Their debut album is an easy front-to-back spin, but this is the one I can’t stop playing

Drugdealer, Weyes Blood – “Real Thing”

Ever since hearing “Suddenly” on HBO’s High Maintenance, I’ll eat up any dish this duo wants to serve.  They usually hit the spot, but this might be their breeziest and catchiest collab to date

RIO KOSTA – “Unicorn”

Not many bands go from a debut single to millions of streams, a full album and headlining shows in just four months. Nothing about their ascent feels rushed though.  Cool, retro, polished, and groovy as hell… sonically and visually

Sunnan – “Cannot Get Enough”

This Swedish five-piece has been a fun find this year.  It’s like running Khruangbin through a “this town ain’t big enough for the two of us” filter

Hotel – “Kumquats”

A quirky, bouncy sound meets a slick, anthemic hook.  Feels like the love child of Peter Bjorn and John and New Radicals

okaywill – “Fly Me To Mars”

In the top songs of q1 blog I claimed his collab with Alex Cherney and The Brothers Nylon would be one of my top songs of the year, but then he raised the levels on this solo effort.  If we ever get cruise-style space trips, this will be playing in the club room.  Zero-gravity disco

Men I Trust – “Come Back Down”

Not one but two albums… MIT fans are eating good this year (second food analogy, I’ve been watching Top Chef lol sue me).  This has been my favorite cut from either record.  Kinda sounds like a modern spin on Fleetwood Mac

Benja, Glitter Party – “Just A Little Love”

“Bloom” was one of 2024’s hidden gems, so I’m glad they expanded that collab into a full EP.  The tempo rollercoaster employed could have gone wrong with lesser producers, but everything sounds super smooth here

Zac Farro – “My My”

While recognizing their legend status, Paramore was never quite my cup of tea, making their drummer’s solo project such a pleasant surprise.  Laid back, hooky, and just the right amount of southern charm

Florry – “Pretty Eyes Lorraine”

The best way to describe this Philly outfit would be country rock, but the end product is so unique that you don’t want to box them in like that.  Quirky, twangy and one of the catchiest hooks of the year so far

Modern Nature – “Pharaoh”

A splash of folk here, a touch of pop there, some static guitar on the backend for a punch of grit… it all blends together pleasantly into this tune dripping with cool city coffeeshop sensibilities

That Graduate – “Puzzle”

Still relatively early to the scene, but already showing off a tight sound defined by cool guitar work, good rhythm, and nonchalant vocals.  Feels like the kind of band I should’ve stumbled upon as the openers at a Yot Club show

Stray Fossa – “Blossomer”

They’ve been busier than usual this year, dropping a string of singles ahead of their upcoming album.  The dreamy title track has their signature jangle and some great drum work that has me sitting down at the air kit every time

Love Seats – “visions of thee”

Good luck finding a bad song in their catalogue.  Their hazy, chilled out take on pop is polished, consistent, and has residency in my On Repeat playlist

levitation room – “Love Signs”

Easygoing and sun-soaked, but still flashing their psych-rock roots. When Hollywood inevitably remakes Dazed and Confused, let this one soundtrack a parking-lot hangout scene

Sweet and Lonely – “Start Again”

Every summer needs a breezy, hooky love song that doesn’t take itself too seriously.  Something to hang your arm out the window to while you’re cruising around

The Undercover Dream Lovers – “making you proud”

UDL is usually a purveyor of modern disco energy, but this one leans downtempo and introspective, with unexpected shades of MGMT’s Congratulations era

Eyedress – “Change My View (feat. Elvia & Boaty)”

It’s cool that his wife and son are featured, but this isn’t just a cute little family moment… it’s a certified alt-pop banger.  I have a rotating random line I belt out while walking around the house, and right now it’s “she’s an American girl and she just wants to get high!”

N8NOFACE, Chico Mann – “Waiting To Wait For You”

This is a real Swiss Army knife of a song.  Upbeat with surfy guitar work and an undeniably catchy hook; but delivered with a raw, crunchy edge that channels punk. Taking bets now that this goes platinum in Cali skate culture

 Echo Thrills – “Orange”

I’m a sucker for vibey cover art so I was hooked before a single note slid into my ears.  Luckily, the song is just as smooth.  A groovy addition to my Echo Thrills collection alongside 2023’s “Temptation” and “Fool”

Josh Fudge – “like that.”

His new album is a slick combination of warm synths, glitchy drum pads, and introspective pop crooning that takes me back to the Postal Service record I used to dig out of my dad’s CD tower

Zac B – “witness”

There’s no reason this couldn’t be a modern R&B hit, but the intentionally garbled flow keeps it grounded in its DIY roots.  A true diamond in the rough

JayWood – “ASSUMPTIONS”

This big, energetic genre-bender displays skillful production work, especially with the mood swings spliced in as the song rides out.  The whole thing loosely reminds me of sipping Bombay and tonic out of a solo cup while “Cha Cha” by DRAM rattles through an overused Bose speaker

Jitwam – “ALL IN (feat. Rimarkable)”

I was able to catch his DJ set at the Good Room in Brooklyn a few weeks ago and the energy he oozes from behind the decks is infectious.  This one should be in heavy rotation at swanky city lounges all summer long

Panama, Vandelux – “Heartburn”

Undeniably dance music, but it’s flooded with raw emotion and a streak of self-reflection. The kind of song I want in my ears while I get in my feelings and overanalyze every decision I’ve ever made

Archil & Leon – “I See”

This track is a burst of sunshine, using an eclectic mix of sounds and instruments to create a lively groove. Close your eyes and you can almost see the splash of orange juice hitting the champagne.  Crisp, bright, and effortlessly cool

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