I'm already giddy. Four weeks separate today from the start of the year-end music season. Four weeks until the Interwebs explode in a rush of blogs nominating their favourite songs, artists and albums of the year. Also known as a fertile ground for trawling for my favourite music of next year:) Granted, I've been getting better lately at actually catching waves before they crash on the shore, but still, it's a great time to fill in some gaps. I'll also run my list out there, for anyone who is interested. Given that my annual views will maybe reach 500 by New Year's (is that more than I had expected? Less? I'm not actually sure. I'd lean toward more…), I assume there might be a couple. My monthly posts have at least laid the groundwork for the big countdown - most of my favourite songs of the year are covered in those blog entries. So, to maybe throw out a few final spoilers, here are 10 songs that I've added to my personal rotation since the summer.
10 - "Tough Love (Cyril Hahn remix)", Jessie Ware
I'm always excited for new Jessie Ware material. "Tough Love" is the title track from her latest release and this remix is my favourite version that I've heard so far. The second single is another track from the album that has caught my ear: "Say You Love Me" (co-written by the ubiquitous Ed Sheeran). Both songs have been moderate hits in the UK, charting in the 20-30 range. Not sure if she'll ever have her big North American break at some point. Both of her albums hit the top half of the Billboard 200, which probably means sales in the thousands. Looking forward to hearing what's next. And FYI, Cyril Hahn is from Vancouver, BC.
9 - "Options", Brika
As far as I can tell, Brika is from Miami and "Options" is the third of four songs she has released. "Mumbai" came first earlier this year, followed by "Expectations" before summer and more recently, "Gold". Allegedly, she cites Coldplay as her main influence. Can't say that I can see it. Regardless, there's something refreshing about the smoky voice, the harmonies and minimal instrumentation at the start of the song. The back end is not as strong, but it's still a good listen. By the way, "Expectations" is cut from the same cloth.
8 - "Wonder (featuring The Kite String Tangle)", Adventure Club
This is one of my internet finds that I've been most surprised to hear on the radio this year. I've been listening to The Kite String tangle since "Given the Chance" erupted in Australia last year. The first track of Adventure Club that I remember hearing was their complete reimagining of Alexisonfire's "To a Friend". I loved both of these songs so when I heard that they were featured together on the same track, I bought stock. It turns out that the song got a bit of run on Canadian radio and hit the top 30 recently. A solid electronic track.
7 - "Hey Mami", Sylvan Esso
I mentioned this track a few months ago when I posted "Coffee". While "Coffee" was an instant revelation for me, "Hey Mami" was a slower burn. I love the background noise that comes through as if they recorded this on a street corner. The appearance of the electronic backing track is surprising and adds a whole new dimension to the song. Sylvan Esso has definitely got my attention.
6 - "I Need My Girl", The National
This summer, The National joined the pantheon of bands I've seen at least twice in concert. I was fortunate enough to see their 17-song set at this fall's Folk Festival…an impressive show. Look for a couple of tracks from last year's amazing Trouble Will Find Me to make an appearance on my year-end list.
5 - "Looking too Closely", Fink
Next up, a track that peaked at #89 in the Netherlands!! Fink, a.k.a. Finn Greenall, has been around for a decade and a half…first as a DJ and now as an indie folk artist. What's really weird is that I have a Fink-as-DJ track called Independent Introduction on a Ninja Tune compilation album, Fungkungfusion from wayyyy back in the day…who knew that 16 years later, his folkie alter ego would reappear in my life? Nope, not me.
4 - "Stolen Dance", Milky Chance
Strangely, I stumbled onto this song last September when I discovered The FlicFlac edit of Bedouin Soundclash's "Brutal Hearts". FlicFlac had done a couple of remixes at the time, including one of "Stolen Dance". For whatever reason, the song didn't catch my attention enough to listen to twice, nor did it intrigue me enough to track down the original mix. Now that these German dudes have taken over alternative radio (is CHR next? Is this the next "Safe and Sound"?), I find myself sucked into the vortex. Another darkish song that sounds much happier than it is. As a bonus, I'm embedding the FlicFlac edit I first heard oh so long ago...
3 - "Mess is Mine", Vance Joy
Well, my wife and I had the opportunity to hear Vance play the local college a couple of weeks ago but we ended up taking a pass. Oops. It turns out that was probably one of our last shots to hear him on a small stage, now that Taylor Swift has tapped him to open for her on her next tour. Remember what happened to the last guy she did this to? That Ed Sheeran fellow? Yeah, future's bright for Mr. Joy.
2 - "Hunger of the Pine", alt-J
There seems to be a bit of a love/hate thing going on for the Miley Cyrus "4x4" sample laced into this song. Personally, I love it. This is All Yours is growing on me, but more slowly than expected. This seems to be the album's shining star, although "Every Other Freckle", "Lovely Day" and "The Gospel of John Hurt" are all solid as well. Time will tell if this album turns out to be one of my faves next year.
1 - "Days With You (featuring Sinead Harnett)", Snakehips
This post's championship belt goes to Snakehips and Sinead Harnett. This is a fantastic piece of pop music! These two guys (and one woman, of course) released this track in August and it has not taken long to become my #1 ear worm. Snakehips hail from Camden, London, UK and have been in existence for a couple of years now, mainly doing remixes for other artists like Banks and Bondax ("Gold" was one of my faves from this year). They will be doing some shows around New Year's in San Diego, L.A. and Miami. Not sure what the future holds for Snakehips, but I'll be listening.
