Fresh Track: Xylos “Summerlong”
Last summer there was a certain feel that Dirty Gold’s “California Sunrise” offered to my rotation. This track was fresh and it’s top down approach provided me with an anthem to heal the burn of countless hours in the summer sun. As I spent a recent afternoon thinking about this track I sat and wondered what was going to be offered to me in the same capacity this year to put my summer mind at ease. Enter Xylos “Summerlong”.
Xylos are five-piece electro-pop group from Brooklyn and their recent track “Summerlong” offers a similar quality to “California Sunrise”. The track enters with singer, Monika Heidemann’s smooth vocals and then quickly pops over to a healthy vibe that is baked with layers of powerful synthesizer riffs. I have been playing this song non-stop and feel like it can serve as the perfect elixir for anyone that regularly adopts a case of summer time blues.
While I look for the next summer time track to stick I will lean heavily on the “Summerlong” whenever I am looking for a quick moment of summer escape. If you are looking for a weekend extender then make sure you turn this one up loud as you get to your desk on Monday. I hope this is the first of many get a ways that I can introduce as the temperatures heat up.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Fresh Track: Crocodiles “Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)”
San Diego’s Crocodiles are set to release their third studio album, Endless Flowers, on June 4th and I can’t tell you how excited I am for it to hit. These guys cover themselves with a layer of indie rock nostalgia where snippets of Spaceman 3 or My Bloody Valentine can be heard in their tracks. For the unfamiliar modern day listener, I would pair these guys with Pains of Being Pure at Heart in terms of their reverence to their forefathers. Early adopters who jumped on the Summer of Hate bandwagon in 2009 seemed to buy in because their sound triggered memories of old. Bands like Crocodiles provide long time indie rock listeners comfort and provide purpose behind the work of those who paved the road.
Crocodiles continue to captivate me due to their ability to pull from the lowest fidelity possible and make my ear drums bleed. While these guys know how to pay homage to their elders, they also possess the uncanny knack of making it their own. Embrace the noise pop. Listen and download the single “Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)” below. Pre-order your copy of Endless Flowers.
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Written by Brett McGrath
Fresh Track: Ra Ra Riot “Valerie” (Steve Winwood Cover)
On Record Store Day 2012, Ra Ra Riot released a 7” collaboration with Delicate Steve. Side A featured the two covering Steve Winwood’s classic “Valerie”, which you can stream below. I have to say, as much as I am a fan of the violin infused Ra Ra sound, the group has some seriously fabulous 80’s vibe flowing out of this track…so great that I wouldn’t be opposed to the group dabbling a bit more in this sound on future albums. Is this the way to go in the post Alexandra Lawn era?
Regardless, this song is just the thing needed to make your Wednesday just a bit better. So whether you’re hanging out in your cubicle tapping your foot or dancing in your living room, enjoy.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 