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Glasser

I first heard this song on a mix from some website (Stereogum maybe?) last winter, and went on to include it on most every mix I’ve made since then. It took me a while, but I finally got my hands on the whole album, Ring, also Cameron Mesirow (aka Glasser)’s first full-length, and it’s just as good from start to finish. It’s got a warm electronic vibe that feels very intimate, thanks to layered vocals and synths, and though Mesirow gets pretty quirky at times she always seems to reign herself in before it becomes a turnoff.

• 9 plays

Emmylou

First Aid Kit

This Jam of the Day comes to you all the way from Sweden, where these harmonizing sisters hail. I haven’t shared a folky song in a while, since I haven’t been listening to much of anything folky lately, but I have been digging much of First Aid Kit’s second album for the past few weeks or so. This track exemplifies the duo when they’re at their best - no pomp and circumstance, just simple, heartfelt little tunes for warming the cockles of your jaded hipster heart. Awww.

• 11 plays

Heartbeat

Dum Dum Girls

The first thing you will notice when you play this tune is how gosh darn peppy it is. What’s this? An up-tempo song that’s not electronic? Well, I’ll be damned. But by the time the vocals kick in all you’ll be able to think about is ‘holy crap, this chick sounds just like Chrissie Hynde!!’ Indeed she does, my friends, indeed she does. Not always as much as she does on this particular song (I picked the Chrissie Hynde-est of the bunch), but yeah, it’s hard not to focus on the similarities.

This is the Dum Dum’s second full-length, and frontwoman Dee Dee (of course her name is Dee Dee) definitely seems confident about what kind of band she wants to be. Only In Dreams is solid and propulsive throughout, without the experimental departures these darn bands today like to throw in to show how versatile they are. This will be your driving around summertime album of 2012 for sure.

• 0 plays

You Ain't Alone

Alabama Shakes

Do you have any idea how quickly a Jack White show sells out in Detroit? By the time I heard about it the tickets were long gone, and now I get to be even more bummed out about the whole thing because Alabama Shakes are supporting him on the tour, and they are sweet. I guess I’d describe them as a less polished, stripped down Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, or maybe what The Gossip would’ve been if they hadn’t switched to electronic dance music and had actually learned how to play their instruments. That sort of covers it, I guess.

The album, Boys & Girls, is pretty consistent throughout, with bluesy songs and Motown flourishes. You might not like the first track (I don’t), but stick with it. For a first release from young artists it actually boasts some pretty decent lyrics, too. The vocals on this song remind me of Tina Turner’s cover of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” which is obviously a huge compliment.

• 40 plays

Astronomic Club

Air

Early this year, Air made a score to accompany the restored festival rerelease of Le Voyage dans la lune. In case you’ve never taken an Intro to Film class or seen the movie Hugo, Le Voyage dans la lune (or A Trip to the Moon if you’re not all fancy and French) was originally released in 1902 and is widely regarded as the first science fiction movie. If you watch it you’ll probably think to yourself ‘wow, this seems really familiar,’ and that will be because The Smashing Pumpkins based their “Tonight, Tonight” video on it, and they played that video on MTV at least 20 times a day when it came out. Try not to hold that against the movie or its new soundtrack, cuz they’re both very good.

As this is meant to be background music for a film, there aren’t many stand-out tracks. Victoria from Beach House sings on a track, as does Au Revoir Simone. It’s best to listen to the album as a whole, but this’ll give you a little taste. It’s my favorite project Air has done since they took on The Virgin Suicides.

• 0 plays

Seventeen

Youth Lagoon

• 20 plays

Candy Walls

TRUST

Since it’s really feeling like winter around here what with the gale force winds, I figured some wintery tunes were in order. TRUST is a duo from Toronto, so I guess they know a bit about being chilly, too. This tune makes you want to snuggle up under some warm covers with your honey for some slightly dirty action.

Ps: The cover of TRUST’s 7” makes me giggle. See for yourself.

• 0 plays

Cruel

St. Vincent

Pretty much every song on Strange Mercy is fantastic. Though it takes a while, even the seemingly quirky tracks reveal a catchy center and whip smart lyrics. “Cruel” is instantly likable, however, and the first song I fell in love with on the album. Seems like a good place for the uninitiated to start. 

• 20 plays

How Come You Never Go There

Feist

After a long and regrettable absence (look, buying a house is a lot of work in addition to the lot of work I have to do at work) my Jam of the Day has returned. I’ve been loving this one hard core since Metals came out. Mostly it’s the tempo that does it for me; mixed with the backing vocals it reminds me of the beginning of Dumbo when the circus train is traveling in the rain. And since no one will know what the hell I’m talking about with that reference, how bout you just go ahead and give it a listen? I thank you, Feist thanks you. If I don’t post a new song tomorrow you have permission to badger the hell out of me. Good day.

• 0 plays