Category Archives: 2013

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.6.13

December 6, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

If you’re not hooked on this track after 10 seconds in, you should get your hearing checked. This track is off the fantastic self-titled EP the NY duo dropped not too long ago, which should (briefly) tide you over until their next full length, Voices, is released, which is supposedly right around the corner…

♩ Phantogram – Black Out Days [from Phantogram EP]
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Son Lux blew me away this year. He’s got such a cool sound and his latest album, Lanterns, doesn’t disappoint one bit. Hands down one of my favorite albums of 2013 and i’ll never get tired of this track.

♩ Son Lux – Lost It To Trying [from Lanterns]
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In late 2012, this Portland five-some almost threw in the towel, but they carried on and their perseverance definitely paid off. I can’t wait to hear more from Wild Ones, I believe they have a bright future ahead of them. In the meantime, enjoy my personal favorite track (“Curse Over Me”) from their fantastic debut album, Keep It Safe (along with a little bonus remix of “Rivals”, courtesy of Trails and Ways).

♩ Wild Ones – Curse Over Me [from Keep It Safe]
♩ Wild Ones – Rivals (Trails and Ways remix)
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What is (31) Days of Good?

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.5.13

December 5, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

“Flight Facilities have dipped down from the heavens to gently drop this smokey gem of funkified gold. Mickey Green’s vocals polish this stone cold groover to perfection as the song twists and winds around FF’s slowly building beats.” via The Burning Ear

♩ Flight Facilities – Stand Still (feat. Mickey Greene) [from Stand Still EP]
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“London’s own Ebony Bones, born Ebony Thomas, just uploaded the new single ‘I See I Say’ from her upcoming two-part album Behold, a Pale Horse, and it punched me in my face. From the arresting titular vocal loop that drives the song from start to finish to the swelling orchestral strings that add some sinister sonic depth, this genre-eluding electronic ballad pulses with ominous energy.” via Indie Shuffle

♩ Ebony Bones! – I See I Say [from Behold, a Pale Horse]
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“RAC is pretty much unstoppable at this point. He recruited Bloc Party vocalist Kele and MNDR (the voice on Tokimonsta’s excellent ‘Go With It’) for ‘Let Go’. This song has been on repeat for a week now. I can’t get enough of it.” via Rachel Reynolds, KCRW Music Blog

♩ RAC – Let Go (feat. Kele & MNDR) [from Don’t Talk To EP]
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What is (31) Days of Good?

2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.4.13

December 4, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

A few of my favorite Summer 2013 jams…

James Murphy co-produced this track and even though it didn’t make the final cut for the band’s 2013 LP (Dynamics) it’s still a must listen. In my opinion, the track is so good, it deserved it’s own separate release.

♩ Holy Ghost! – Teenagers in Heat [single]
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Ever wonder how to make a good track great? Have The Weeknd remix it is one way. I really wish Kavinsky and The Weeknd will team up for a full length. Make it happen boys.

♩ Kavinsky – Odd Look (ft. The Weeknd) [from OddLook EP]
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“Get Lucky” gets all the love, and it’s a great track as well, but I don’t think i’ll ever get tired of this particular track, which features Panda Bear (Animal Collective) on vocals.

♩ Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (feat. Panda Bear) [from Random Access Memories]
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Probably my favorite cover of 2013. Personally, I find Soulja Boy’s original uninspired, but this track is anything but. The production and vocals are spot on. Honestly, Purity Ring could cover One Direction and I’d love it.

♩ Purity Ring – Grammy (Soulja Boy cover) [single]
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The average age of this foursome is 18.5, but don’t let that fool you. These Chicago rockers carried a well deserved buzz from 2012 into a breakout 2013. I first heard this song on NPR: All Songs Considered, while in the middle relocating from Southern to Northern California. There’s really nothing good about an 8 hour drive, but this song definitely made it better. No joke, I probably listened to this track at least 20 times in a row on that trip.

♩ The Orwells – Who Needs You [from Who Needs You EP]
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And speaking of the aforementioned 8 hour drive, 10 minutes of good ole’ fashioned metal does wonders.

♩ Deafheaven – Sunbather [from Sunbather]
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2013, 31 days of good, best of 2013, music

(31) Days of Good: 12.3.13

December 3, 2013 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

The City and Horses released their third studio album (Strange Range) last June, and like previous releases, it was packed to the brim with fun, quirky indie pop. No track better represents the band’s signature sound (and the awkwardness of growing up) quite like “17”. Fun fact about this track…it all started in a pocket. “Marc wrote the first single, “17”, with GarageBand on his iPhone and used much of the what he recorded in the final version. He also plugged his iPhone directly into the console and used it as an instrument on a number of tracks.” (via)

♩ The City and Horses – 17 [from Strange Range]
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Oakland’s Trails and Ways are one of my favorite discoveries from the past couple of years. You could simply describe their music as indie pop, but I prefer the band’s own description – “bossa nova dream pop.” I saw them live last year in LA and they really put on one heck of a show. In fact, that show is where I first heard this track and i’ve loved it ever since. And as a little bonus, enjoy their incredible cover of my favorite Frank Ocean track, “Lost”.

♩ Trails and Ways – Tereza [from Tilingual]
♩ Trails and Ways – Lost (Frank Ocean cover)
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X PRIEST X is the project of vocalist Madeline Priest and producers Dave Kazyk and Chandler Strang. ”Samurai” is their debut track and it’s fantastic — dreamy, synth-pop at it’s best.

♩ X PRIEST X – Samarai (demo)
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2013, music, on repeat

[on repeat] The Killers//Christmas in L.A. (feat Dawes)

December 2, 2013 Concrete Opinions 1 Comment

I love holiday music and every year I look forward to the latest holiday single from The Killers. This year marks the 7th holiday release for the band, and like previous years, 100% of song proceeds will go towards (RED).

https://vimeo.com/80767423

“Christmas In L.A.” (feat. Dawes) is available now on iTunes and the Killers’ greatest hits album Direct Hits is out now via Island/Mercury.

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