Category Archives: music

2015, 31 days of good, best of 2015, music

(31) Days of Good//12.11.15

December 11, 2015 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

Hot Chip is one of my all time favorite live acts. Was lucky enough to catch this rendition live this year and it was SO SO GOOD. Only an act like Hot Chip could mashup the boss with LCD Soundsystem and make it work so well.

♩ Hot Chip – Dancing In The Dark [from Dancing In The Dark EP]

[hotchip.co.uk]

Beach House proved, once again, that they’re the ones to beat when it comes to ethereally, dream pop. And I would have been completely satisfied with one new LP, but the Baltimore duo treated fans this year with TWO solid full lengths (released a mere two months apart I should add).

♩ Beach House – Space Song [from Depression Cherry]

beachhouse-thankyourluckystars-900px_n3mupp

♩ Beach House – Elegy To The Void [from Thank Your Lucky Stars]

[beachhousebaltimore.com]

“With ‘Ghosts,’ Made In Heights is aiming for buzz band designation. The track kicks off with energy and bounce before Bulkin’s light sensuous vocals hit like a lover’s whispers. Deep synthesizers dig in before the chorus lightens the song up, with Bulkin singing about ghosts filling cups with her tears. Meanwhile, Sabzi mixes in a range of samples and riffs reminiscent of 90s rap, lending the track a nostalgic vibe at moments. In all, the song sounds like something by Little Dragon but with more energy and fantastic elements. With ‘Ghosts,’ it’s clear Made In Heights has found their sound.” (via EARMILK)

♩ Made in Heights – Ghosts [from Without My Enemy What Would I Do]

#31days2015

2015, 31 days of good, best of 2015, music

(31) Days of Good//12.10.15

December 10, 2015 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

If you haven’t already heard of Lung Dart, you have now and you’re welcome.

♩ Lung Dart – B. Ok [from Ebbs]

[lungdart.tk]

“Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott, the two guys behind the band Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., have grown up a lot since forming the band in 2009. This year they changed their name to the abbreviated JR JR, and are back with this introspective pop gem on the passage of time and growing old.” (via All Songs Considered)

♩ JR JR – As Time Goes [from JR JR]

[jrjrmusic.com]

Love at first listen. Lovely vocals and the perfect blend of piano and percussion.

♩ Amason – The Moon As a Kite [from Sky City]

[http://amasonband.com]

“Described as ‘secret New Jersey treasures’…There’s no denying the strength of this track, and it’s easy to understand why this band have become so revered in their native New Jersey.” (via Josh Henderson, Turntable Kitchen)

♩ Roadside Graves – Gospel Radio [from Acne/Ears]

[roadsidegraves.tumblr.com]

#31days2015

2015, 31 days of good, 35mmbeats, best of 2015, music

(31) Days of Good//12.9.15

December 9, 2015 Bfay Leave a comment

Song of the summer (‘15) right here, love the homage to MJ. Almost sounds like ’83 Quincy Jones was in the studio. (bren)

♩ The Weeknd – Can’t Feel My Face [from Beauty Behind The Madness]

[theweeknd.com]

I am still continually listening to Disclosure’s debut album Settle, but the brothers from across the pond didn’t fall into the sophomore slump with Caracal at all. This record is a more straightforward pop/dance record compared to the soulful house music we all came to know and love but I love it. Miguel is one of the better artists working in R&B today and he lends his voice to this moody dance track. With big collaborators like Sam Smith, Lorde, and The Weeknd,this track might get overlooked but it might be my personal fave from the album.

♩ Disclosure ft. Miguel – Good Intentions [from Caracal]

[disclosureofficial.com] + [officialmiguel.com]

Fresh off his new Age of Transparency album, the follow up to his spectacular 2013 album Anxiety. “Panic Room” is an intense soul song with the same abstract production that we have come to know from Arthur Ashin. The Brooklyn producer also shares an incredibly awkward yet hilarious video for “Panic Room”.

♩ Autre Ne Veut – Panic Room [from Age of Transparency]

[autreneveut.com]

My favorite song right now…with my favorite female vocalist and a rad producer. Also check out the Chet Faker cover of “No Diggity” if you haven’t already

♩ Chet Faker ft. Banks – 1998 [single]

[chetfaker.com] + [hernameisbanks.com]

#31days2015

2015, 31 days of good, best of 2015, music

Favorite EPs of 2015

December 8, 2015 Concrete Opinions 1 Comment

15 – A Sunny Day In Glasgow//Planning Weed Like It’s Acid / Life Is Loss

♩ Hey, You’re Mine

[asunnydayinglasgow.com]

14 – Frankie Cosmos//Fit Me In

♩ Young

[ingridsuperstar.bandcamp.com]

13 – Annie//Endless Vacation

♩ Cara Mia

[anniemelody.com]

12 – Florist//Holdly

♩ Vacation

[florist.life]

11 – Clark//Flame Rave

♩ Silver Sun

[throttleclark.com]

10 – Diet Cig//Over Easy

♩ Breathless

[dietcig.bandcamp.com]

09 – FKA twigs//M3LL155X

♩ Figure 8

[fkatwi.gs]

08 – Tropic of Cancer//Stop Suffering

♩ Stop Suffering

[facebook.com/tropicofcancerband]

08 – Lung Dart//Ebbs

♩ B. Ok

[lungdart.tk]

06 – Big Grams//Big Grams

♩ Fell in the Sun (via youtube)

[biggrams.com]

05 – Panda Bear//Crosswords EP

♩ No Man’s Land

[pbvsgr.com]

04 – Cloves//XIII

♩ Don’t You Wait

[facebook.com/Clovesdot]

03 – Class Actress//Movies

♩ High on Love

[classactress.com]

02 – Sharon Van Etten//I Don’t Want to Let You Down

♩ I Don’t Want to Let You Down

[sharonvanetten.com]

01 – Porcelain Raft//Half Awake EP

♩ Half Awake

[porcelainraft.com]

Check back 12/15/15 for my favorite LPs of 2015 and tune in this Saturday night (12/12/15) for our (31) Days of Good: 2015 radio show. 7:30-10pm on kzfr.org/90.1fm.

#31days2015

2015, 31 days of good, best of 2015, music

(31) Days of Good//12.8.15

December 8, 2015 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

One of my son’s favorite jams. You put this song on in my house and you better be ready to get down. I dare you not to dance to this song. (p.s. I need to learn Kim’s moves before the next wedding season arrives)

♩ Matt & Kim – Hey Now [from New Glow]

[mattandkimmusic.com]

“Urgh, damn these talented teenagers, for they inspire in us rather confusing feelings of envy and adoration. It’s mainly the latter for 19 year-old Aussie Kaity Dunstan, who under the guise of Cloves gives us another jolt of her talent.” (via pressplay)

♩ Cloves – Don’t You Wait [from XIII EP]

[facebook.com/Clovesdot]

Unorthodox pop at it’s best.

♩ Grimes – Flesh Without Blood [from Art Angels]

[grimesmusic.com]

“These days, Frank Turner is a positive person. Each song he writes is a charismatic singalong, and ‘Get Better’ from Positive Songs For Negative People is perhaps his most anthemic of them all. Urgent and exciting, it’s sure to make even the most negative person crack a smile.” (via All Songs Considered)

♩ Frank Turner – Get Better [from Positive Songs For Negative People]

[frank-turner.com]

#31days2015