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[2016 Recap] A Few Of My Favorite Things
bless Topsters for assembling this graphic infinitely easier than prior years
Surpriiiiseee!! I'm going to do my year end wrap up differently than most of the ones I've seen. Mostly because I have so many to share, but mostly because I like to let the music do the talking and help you get better connected to the artists themselves. Instead of recaps of each record, I'm going to point you to my favorite tracks so if any of these are new to your ears you'll have the best starting point I can give you.
Personal Observations for 2016
This was a weird year for me in terms of listening/discovery habits. Instead of fighting against music consumption trends, I decided to play along. I dove head first into my Discover Weekly playlist. I even followed some of my friends' in order to see what I would find and set up an IFTTT recipe to archive everything recommended to me so I could go back and reference it later if I wanted. I barely touched my SKOA inbox, which probably upset a lot of publicists. Anyway, according to Last.FM's data (since Spotify never ended up sending me mine), I listened to 1,919 new artists this year, which is ABSOLUTELY INSANE. But really when you think about how much music Discover Weekly puts in front of you, it's really less than what everyone had the potential to check out (which is 1,560 if you figure we get 30 new tracks a week for a year). I am in the 98th percentile in music listening per Last.FM (meaning I listen to more music than 98% of people who still scrobble to Last.FM) and I found myself panicky and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of music that Spotify thinks I can get through on TOP of the music I already love and want to enjoy, or the random rabbit holes I end up falling into that typically bring me great new baby bands. I guess most people approach Discover Weekly differently than I do, letting artists come and go as they please, but knowing the transformative power that music possesses, I'm always wary of passing on an opportunity to be affected and share those experiences with others.
It's crazy to think that 20% of what stuck with me this year was randomly generated by The Algorithm and not delivered to me by humans. I almost said that the human delivery was through cosmic forces, but really, if music finds its way to your ears/hearts by friend or by Algorithm, both are cosmic in a way, no?
This is my struggle at present. I value the connection that happens when a humans experience music together, whether it be by recommendation or attending shows together. I worry this experience will continue to be diminished the more we silo ourselves into our algorithm-based echo chambers. I really hope I'm just out of touch and someone will point me to where this is the opposite, but I can't ignore how self-serving shows feel now every time I treat myself to a Night Out. This has been on my heart/mind too much lately to ignore it, so expect some changes to how things go down on the site (starting with making more time for this now that my new job isn't crazy busy for awhile).
What music moved you this year? Did you like some of these records but different tracks? I'd honestly love to know so please drop me a comment. Also if you want more than favorite tracks out of me for these records, feel free to bug me on Twitter I am happy to share!
My Favorite Things Of 2016
#NewMusicFriday Guide - 04/08/2016
So. Many. Albums. Are. Coming. Out. This. Month. Seriously. I knew that April was going to be awesome, but not this awesome.
If I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up, I imagine you are, too. Since I already do this on a weekly basis for myself and sharing is caring, here is an overview of what I'm excited about that came out this week:
Mayer Hawthorne - Man About Town
After venturing out on various side projects, Mayer Hawthorne has returned to his retrofitted swoonerific sound. I'm still confused why there are so many women moaning on this record, but I guess he does have that kind of effect on the ladies, so I'll allow it. Either way, I look forward to spending some quality time with this record.
M83 - Junk
Everyone on the internet has very strong emotions and opinions about how the followup to M83's 2011 blockbuster of a record, Hurry Up We're Dreaming is supposed to sound. The headlines that I've seen for the reviews of this record indicate that Anthony Gonzalez has made a lot of critics very upset because they didn't get what they wanted. Guys, the record is literally called JUNK. Pretty sure he knew critics were going to thumb their noses at this record. Whatever, I think it's fun...and that's not just because "Time Wind" features Beck.
Wildlife Control - Particles
This is a fun kind of album release because there's an ultra neat way to experience it. The brainiac brothers that are Wildlife Control leveraged Instagram's API and coded up their own tool to search and carefully piece together a hundred or so hyperlapse videos from Instagram as a way to take in their record. I actually got to chat with these guys last night at an intimate party to celebrate their record coming out and boy did we get nerdy. That interview will be coming soon.
Deftones - Gore
Deftones are back! And there was much singing and much rejoicing! There are so many people in my timeline that are SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS RECORD. This includes me. I actually have not kept up with any of the new singles or anything related to this album, so I consider myself kind of hashtag blessed that my first listen of this record is going to be spoiler-free.
Honne (feat. Izzy Bizu) - "Someone That Loves You"
Honne fam dropped a new track! If you are part of my Snap fam you got to hear a loud garbled snippet of this track at their Bowery Ballroom show last month. As much as I like the illusion of premium #content, I'll admit that this professional recording is better than my snippet. Also, Izzy Bizu! I need to spend more time with her music. Her vocals on this track are so sensual. Everything Honne puts out makes you want to practice baby making. These are just the facts, fam.
Digitialism - "Go Time"
This is the fourth track from Digitialism's upcoming album Mirage, which comes out on May 19th. Last week it was on Soundcloud. This week it can be streamed for many micropennies. It is good. #bye
Moving Units - Damage With Care
I am embarrassed because I forgot Moving Units still made music. I took to them very quickly with their debut, Dangerous Dreams, but then they fell off my radar. This is an example of why I'm making this list now. It's just as much for you as it is for me. I have no idea if this is any good, but I really hope it is. They have more albums, too. This might take awhile. Fingers crossed!
Culture Abuse - Peach
You may have diSKOAvered these guys a few weeks back. If you didn't, bummer for you. Either way their album is out and it's fuzzy lo-fi fun times and I like it a lot. For some reason when I listen to Culture Abuse I'm always fighting the urge to not walk around with that signature Mick Jagger pouty/kissy/duck face everywhere I go. You know, this face. It's okay, I don't know either. Anyway, it's nice feeling like a bratty #teen listening to this.
What came out today that's got you rushing to your record store or swift to stream immediately? Let me know in the comments below or @ me!
[Watch] Digitalism - "Falling" (Official Video)
German electro duo Digitalism have taken a page from Simian Mobile Disco's book (see: the official videos for "Put Your Hands Together" and "Cerulean") with their new visuals for "Falling". The video, which features on the duo's brand new DJ-Kicks compilation, sees old school animations of kaleidoscopes and moving geometric shapes juxtaposed with old stock footage of children's TV shows and kids doing odd things. It's like Kids Say the Darndest Things meets acid. Watch it above.
[Listen] The Rapture - "Sail Away" (Digitalism Remix)
German electronic duo Digitalism have offered up a remix of The Rapture's 2011 single "Sail Away". Taking the original track the duo add a big beat and wrap it around the original vocal track. Synths then begin to break through in the latter half of the track adding that extra bit of kick you need on a Monday morning. Check it out below.
[News] Digitalism Announces North American Tour
Further supporting the release of their second studio LP I Love You, Dude, German electronic duo Digitalism have announced another round of North American tour dates. The tour, which is sponsored by Jägermeister, will start near the end of November and take the duo throughout the continent until mid-December.
You can check out all of their remaining 2011 tour dates after the jump.
Further supporting the release of their second studio LP I Love You, Dude, German electronic duo Digitalism have announced another round of North American tour dates. The tour, which is sponsored by Jägermeister, will start near the end of November and take the duo throughout the continent until mid-December.
You can check out all of their remaining 2011 tour dates after the jump.
Digitalism 2011 Tour Dates:
10/20 – Stockholm, SE @ Strand
10/21 – Malmo, SE @ Inkonst
10/23 – Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller
10/25 – Luxembourg @ Rockhal
10/26 – Cologne, DE @ Gloria
10/27 – Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
10/29 – Manchester, UK @ HMV Ritz
10/30 – Dublin, IE @ O2 Academy
11/02 – Leeds, UK @ Met Uni
11/03 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy
11/04 – Birmingham, UK @ HMV Institute
11/05 – London, UK @ HMV Forum
11/07 – Leipzig, DE @ Werk 2
11/08 – Berlin, DE @ Astra
11/10 – Munich, DE @ Muffathalle
11/11 – Zurich, CH @ Maag Hall
11/14 – Vienna, AT @ Arena
11/15 – Fribourge, CH @ Fri Son
11/16 – Frankfurt, DE @ Batschkapp
11/18 – Hamburg, DE @ Markhalle
11/28 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
11/29 – Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
11/30 – Montreal, QC @ SAT
12/01 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
12/02 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
12/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
12/05- Washington, DC @ U Hall
12/07 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
12/09 – Austin, TX @ Parish
12/10 – Dallas, TX @ Granada
12/12 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up
12/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Music Box
12/14 – San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine
[Sunday Pickup] Daft Punk, Justice, DJ Shadow, Moby, Mark Ronson, Basement Jaxx, Portishead & Many More Essential Mixes Circa 1993
The Essential Mix Series on Radio One dates back to 1993, when on the 30th of October, Pete Tong first put out a mix on the show that became the first of hundreds that would grace the airwaves. Nearly 18 years on and they're still going strong as UK phenomenon James Blake put in a great sounding mix featuring just yesterday in the early hours debuting some brand new material from himself along with a wide spectrum of other musical genres. After posting the JB Mix I received a tweet from some friends over at Another Whiskey For Mister Bukowski sending me in the direction of 900+ Essential Mixes dating way back to 1993! 1993!
In the space on two hours I'd gone from one end of the Essential Mixes history with the latest guest spot, way back to the first ever one from Pete Tong himself. I'd of been but a little 4 year old back in 1993, dressed in a Thunderbirds outfit jumping off of my drum kit trying to fly before subsequently falling through the snare drum my Mum had just moments before told me I'd break. I may not of been aware of the vast array of electronic that the club scene was thriving on in the 90's, but, through the joy of ageing and the magical times that we live in we can check out a vast array of music we may have missed whilst trying to fly as a child via the internet.
This bumper sized Sunday Pickup contains Essential Mixes from some of the biggest DJ's the world has ever seen. Sets from the likes of Daft Punk way back in 1997. Fitting after we just 2 days ago got to hear their previously unreleased track from 1994, "Drive". Other mixes come from Justice, Flying Lotus, Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, DJ Shadow, Moby (1994), Digitalism, 2 Many DJ's, Mark Ronson, Magnetic Man, Portishead. I could go on to list all 900+ mixes but that would be pointless as you are all at home having a lazy Sunday (maybe), so spend it listening to some classic tracks dating back to 1993 right up until 2007. Have a scroll below and happy listening it should take you about 109K plus hours to get through it all. Better get started! (After the jump there's a few track numbers to help you find the sets in the title eg DAFT PUNK at 743!)
The Essential Mix Series on Radio One dates back to 1993, when on the 30th of October, Pete Tong first put out a mix on the show that became the first of hundreds that would grace the airwaves. Nearly 18 years on and they're still going strong as UK phenomenon James Blake put in a great sounding mix featuring just yesterday in the early hours debuting some brand new material from himself along with a wide spectrum of other musical genres. After posting the JB Mix I received a tweet from some friends over at Another Whiskey For Mister Bukowski sending me in the direction of 900+ Essential Mixes dating way back to 1993! 1993!
In the space on two hours I'd gone from one end of the Essential Mixes history with the latest guest spot, way back to the first ever one from Pete Tong himself. I'd of been but a little 4 year old back in 1993, dressed in a Thunderbirds outfit jumping off of my drum kit trying to fly before subsequently falling through the snare drum my Mum had just moments before told me I'd break. I may not of been aware of the vast array of electronic that the club scene was thriving on in the 90's, but, through the joy of ageing and the magical times that we live in we can check out a vast array of music we may have missed whilst trying to fly as a child via the internet.
This bumper sized Sunday Pickup contains Essential Mixes from some of the biggest DJ's the world has ever seen. Sets from the likes of Daft Punk way back in 1997. Fitting after we just 2 days ago got to hear their previously unreleased track from 1994, "Drive". Other mixes come from Justice, Flying Lotus, Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, DJ Shadow, Moby (1994), Digitalism, 2 Many DJ's, Mark Ronson, Magnetic Man, Portishead. I could go on to list all 900+ mixes but that would be pointless as you are all at home having a lazy Sunday (maybe), so spend it listening to some classic tracks dating back to 1993 right up until 2007. Have a scroll below and happy listening it should take you about 109K plus hours to get through it all. Better get started! (After the jump there's a few track numbers to help you find the sets in the title eg DAFT PUNK at 743!)
Personal picks:
Daft Punk: 743
Justice: 201
DJ Shadow: 420
Flying Lotus: 122
Mark Ronson: 223
Moby: 873
Fatboy Slim: 650
2 Many DJ's: 329
Digitalism: 196
Skream: 200
The Rapture: 391
Basement Jaxx: 705 / 628 / 26
Portishead: 838
DJ Yoda: 228
Diplo: 187
Hot Chip: 172
Crookers: 146
Deadmau5: 142 / 129
Chase & Status: 138
Mr Scruff: 112
Toddla T: 100
Friendly Fires: 97
Major Lazer:93
Simian Mobile Disco: 68
Magnetic Man: 41
Beardy Man: 16
[Watch] Digitalism - "Circles" (Official Video)
CoS points us in the direction of this brand spanking new visual offering from Digitalism for their track "Circles". The video manages to capture the energy and feel of the duos live show by cutting from fans truly immersed in the music to the bands onstage chemistry. Add to this the gif like chops of reel to add a jilted effect to the video and it creates a mind altering visual of live music. I'm gonna have to check these guys out next week at Leeds Festival after watching this. Their sophomore album I Love You Dude, is out now if you want to grab a copy.
CoS points us in the direction of this brand spanking new visual offering from Digitalism for their track "Circles". The video manages to capture the energy and feel of the duos live show by cutting from fans truly immersed in the music to the bands onstage chemistry. Add to this the gif like chops of reel to add a jilted effect to the video and it creates a mind altering visual of live music. I'm gonna have to check these guys out next week at Leeds Festival after watching this. Their sophomore album I Love You Dude, is out now if you want to grab a copy.
Digitalism 2011 Tour:
08/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ Blockley *
08/19 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club *
08/20 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 *
08/26 – Reading, UK @ Reading Festival
08/27 – Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival
08/28 – Ibiza @ Privilege
09/24 – Sydney, AU @ Parklife Festival
09/25 – Perth, AU @ Parklife Festival
10/01 – Brisbane, AU @ Parklife Festival
10/02 – Sydney, AU @ Parklife Festival
10/03 – Adelaide, AU @ Parklife Festival
* = HARD Summer Tour 2011 w/ Jack Beats & Destructo
[Listen] Digitalism - 'I Love You, Dude' (Full Album Stream)
In just a matter of days, German electronic duo Digitalism will be releasing their second studio album I Love You, Dude. The album is their follow-up to the duo's debut album Idealism, which was released in 2007. We've already been given a taste of the album with the tracks "Blitz," "Forrest Gump," "Miami Showdown," and "2 Hearts," but now we have the full album stream of I Love You, Dude for your listening pleasure. You can listen to the full album, which is out on June 21st, after the jump.
In just a matter of days, German electronic duo Digitalism will be releasing their second studio album I Love You, Dude. The album is their follow-up to the duo's debut album Idealism, which was released in 2007. We've already been given a taste of the album with the tracks "Blitz," "Forrest Gump," "Miami Showdown," and "2 Hearts," but now we have the full album stream of I Love You, Dude for your listening pleasure. You can listen to the full album, which is out on June 21st, after the jump.