Thundercat - Show You The Way (feat. Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins): Holy Del's balls on the hood ornament of a late 70's Cadillac Deville with white leather interior. If this song doesn't make you want to sport that coat in the back of your closet with the fur lapels I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL.
The XX - On Hold: Duuuude. The sample used on this song is the best sample.....well, since Jamie XX's sample on 'Loud Places'.
Grandaddy - A Lost Machine: Confession: I've never listened to a Grandaddy song. Scoff at me if you must. But 'm righting my wrongs now.....because of this song.
IT - Orange Is The New Wack: You know that these rappers are getting old as balls (or channeling Common) when they remind you to vote in the midterms. BUT fuuuuuuuuck, Cryptic One and Alaska needed to say what's on the mind of 60% of this country: fuck Donald Trump. It's not often when you hear a song that's so explicitly relevant to now. So take this shit in, listen to the lyrics carefully and listen to that dope sample of chanting protestors goin' on in the caboose. #factslivesmatter
Ty Segall - Break A Guitar: Hurry! somebody put an amp in front of me so I can kick my foot through it! This is one of those songs where you keep dialing up the volume a little bit more until you are at max. And then you get home, wait for the song to end, turn off the car, forget to turn the volume back down, get back in car the next morning with a fresh cup of coffee, and the shock of the volume makes you spill the coffee all over your khakis.
Old 97's - All Who Wander: The Old 97's are still around? I almost forgot that sometimes they will put out a song that just makes me feel so good to be alive. And goddamn, I'm a sucker for that guitar in the background walking notes up and down the fretboard. Anyhoo, this is the first track released from their new album that will be out next month.
Father John Misty - Pure Comedy: This first song released of of his new album that will be tonguing everybody's ears in April. You either love FJM or you hate him. You love what he has to say or you hate it. Unfortunately, unpolarizing people aren't remembered. I love Father John Misty and will fight to the death defending the glory of this apathetically sarcastic asshole.
The Shins - The Fear: Nothing gives me such pleasure to write about a new song coming out from The Shins other than including a Shins song on the very same list my bestie Tim (Alaska) is also featured on (above Orange Is The New Wack track). Because TIM BAKER LOVES THE SHINS SO MUCH. Almost as much as Beach House. He's so into main stream indie, bro.
Black Books - Golden OK: My favorite band from Austin has a new song out. And I know that I say every band from Austin is my favorite (Spoon, White Denim, Good Field, Quiet Company, etc.) BUT there are just so many good ones. It's like picking your favorite child. However, one thing I'll say about Black Books is that no band makes music sound like sparks shooting out into the night sky better than these assholes.
****Last minute addition****
Father John Misty - Ballad of a Dying Man: This literally hit you YouTube the minute before I hit the publish button. #nomalaprops. And I needed a tenth song. So, before you roll your eyes at the addition of another FJM song to my list.....just listen to that chorus at the end. Musically, the man can do no wrong.