Here’s my top picks for the week:
Electric Eye – “Silent By The River”
- I’m starting off this playlist with a real groover. Norwegian psychedelic rockers Electric Eye sound like Tame Impala and Queens of the Stone Age had a baby. It’s an amalgamation of everything I love in music. This one is perfect for those chill evening drives in the country.
Thundercat – “A Fan’s Mail (Tron Song Suite II)”
- Lately, I’ve been describing this track as “in the running for ‘greatest song ever.’” Instrumentally, this song is sublime, featuring intricate, melodic bass guitar work. This song is hilarious too. In this cut from his most recent album, “Drunk,” Thundercat sings about how cool it would be to be a cat.
The Undercover Dream Lovers – “Good Luck”
- I let my friend Megan pick this one, and as always, she didn’t disappoint. This song has a solid beat with a laid-back bass line. Similar to bands like Foster the People and MGMT, I would recommend this one for those looking for some chill indie vibes.
Pond – “Sweep Me Off My Feet”
- Looking for something cool to dance to? Check out this cut from Australian psych-rockers Pond’s new album, “The Weather.” This one sounds like it is straight out of the 1980s, only put through a weird, disorienting filter. This is power pop at it’s finest, with a totally danceable groove. This one is great to scoot to.
Childish Gambino – “II. No Exit”
- Gambino’s “Because the Internet” is an undeniable classic. However, most fans would probably choose a cut like “3005” or “Sweatpants.” This track is a diamond in the rough, featuring one of the coolest beats I’ve ever heard. It sounds like a herd of electrified bees being ground up and a beat machine.
Father John Misty – “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C for Two Virgins)”
- Father John Misty is a different kind of artist. Everything about him seems like a parody of something else. His music however is sublime. This track about love features what sounds like a mariachi band with a full-blown horn section. Get ready for some weird lyrics like “lift up your wedding dress someone was probably murdered in.”
Kendrick Lamar – “The Heart Part 4”
- Kendrick Lamar is back and bolder than ever. His new single serves as a teaser of what is to come, informing the intended recipients of this song that “Y’all got ’til April the 7th to get y’all s— together.” K-Dot’s rhymes hit hard, allegedly criticising the likes of President Trump and Drake.
Stereolab – “Brakhage”
- I’ve heard a lot of people talk about Stereolab in the past so I thought I would check them out. It was definitely worth the listen. This one is for the fans of the strange and experimental. The instrumentation is jazzy, unorthodox and poppy, incorporating strangling guitar feedback and rhythmic vintage synthesisers. Trust me, you haven’t heard anything like these guys.
OutKast – “Prototype”
- I mentioned this song in my playlist last week; then, I went back and listened to it. I definitely forgot how good it was. Andre 3000 shows off some classic cool in this seductive, silky slow jam. The bassline on this one is so smooth and sexy, as is Andre 3000’s voice. It sounds like something from another galaxy.
Post Animal – “When I Get Home”
- Looking for something a little dreamier? Here’s a track from Chicago psych-rockers Post Animal. This retro sounding tune is layered in reverb and phaser effects, sending listeners into a surreal headspace. This one is for winding down at the end of the day.