State Farm is There, by Weezer. Yep. It’s exactly what you’re thinking.
15 Stepz (yes, stepz with a z) by Rainydayz. Its a remix of 15 Step by Radiohead. Does the original justice while taking a completely different approach to the song. Contrasting styles are a good thing here, as it jumps from punk to soul in a quick second. Enjoy. (Be patient for a few seconds at the start).
If you like Arcade Fire, you’re in luck. If you like The Roots, you’re even more in luck. If you like both then you win this game. The Roots cover Wake Up by Arcade Fire, which makes sense because it shares a title with their new album. Check it out. Enjoy.
The Wilhelm Scream by James Blake. Also known as the future of modern music. This guy is doing things nobody else is. Make sure you cozy up on a couch or a bed or something with good headphones or speakers before listening to this. This is too chill for words. It’s way beyond the definition of chill put forth by Jack Johnson etc. This is a more meditative, introspective chill. Enjoy.
Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes from Helplessness Blues
New song from the Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues. It’s the first taste of their new album due out 5/3. Sounds familiar. Hope you enjoy it.
Kick Push by Lupe Fiasco from Food & Liquor (2006). I’m not usually one for rap, but something about the retro feel, especially thanks to the horns, draws me in. Enjoy.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake, off of his debut album, aptly entitled James Blake. Make sure you have a good bass system with whatever you’re listening to. If you don’t, don’t listen yet. Find one. This is actually a cover of a Feist song which is super awesome in its own, more touching, less powerful, way. Check out the original here. For some more James Blake, check out I Only Know (What I Know Now) here. The album is out February 7. Enjoy.
Ghostwriter by RJD2 from their 2002 album Deadringer. The definition of chill. This is basically sex music. Enjoy.
Still Sound by Toro y Moi. Been meaning to post this one for a while, I’m a big fan of this band. Super chill sounds, loving the keyboard solo in the end. They have an album coming out this February, called Underneath the Pine. Not sure what that is on the cover, but it is what it is…I guess. Enjoy.
Cameras by Matt & Kim from http://punkreas.org
Matt and Kim’s Cameras from their November 2010 release Sidewalks. The music video is pretty epic. I’m thinking Mr. and Ms. Smith…or whatever their last name is / will be / would be if they were to be married. Check it out here. The song is pretty standard Matt and Kim, otherwise known as super fun happy music for alternative kids like you and me. Enjoy.
Breaker, Breaker by Peter Bjorn and John from Gimme Some
Peter Bjorn and John are working on a new album, and here we have the first taste. It’s called Breaker Breaker and its from Gimme Some, expected to be released some time in 2011. It’s fast and aggressive, more punk than their previous work. Enjoy.
Home by LCD Soundsystem from This Is Happening
Home by LCD Soundsystem from This Is Happening (2010), my favorite song from a notable album of 2010. It routinely finds itself in top 10 lists, so I felt I had to mention it. Enjoy.
Brought It Out by BRAHMS from DEMO
Brought it Out by BRAHMS, off of a 4 track EP probably signaling a full length LP some time this year. If you’re a fan of Animal Collective, listen up, because this track sounds eerily like Also Frightened, at least in my opinion. A bit more rhythmic, less animal-y. Enjoy.
True Affection by The Blow from Paper Television
True Affection by The Blow from Paper Television (2006). You get an electronic yet sparse beat underneath a gorgeous flowing and breathy vocal part. The girl sounds a bit like Sara Bareilles, but the good kind, where she just sounds pretty instead of trying to create some sort of epic force of sound. I guess that’d be Ingrid Michaelson. That works. Enjoy.
Harvest Moon by Pepper Rabbit from Beauregard
Harvest Moon by Pepper Rabbit, a New Orleans psych-pop band. You can definitely hear some MGMT in there, and they’re touring with Ra Ra Riot, which kinda makes sense. Enjoy.
