A New Wave: Choice Tunes of 2015 so far

 

"Best Of The Year So Far” lists: they’re always flying around this time of year. As inevitable as midgies or budget flights packed to bursting point with giddy sun-worshippers, and – in the opinion of some – just as irksome. Some who feel that you should keep your powder dry until December, once everything has come out; that it’s lazy, filler journalism. I have some sympathy for these points of view. However, I am compelled to bring you this playlist of the best sounds (available on Spotify) I’ve heard so far in 2015 – compiling together tracks which I’ve written about on here and ones which I should have brought to your attention but was too busy/lazy – because everything moves so fast  and so much stuff (crucially, so much good stuff) is released in a six month period that things do get played a few times then forgotten about, and others slip under the radar completely.

Press play below and you’ll hear ace music from AOIBTW faves (Tame Impala, Father John Misty, Monophonics, Cat’s Eyes), reliable old-hands (Paul Weller, Hot Chip, Laura Marling), impressive first-timers (Danny James Etc, Leon Bridges, Natalie Prass), career-best releases (Kendrick Lamar, Errors, Sufjan Stevens), independent spirits (Ela Orleans, Sacred Paws, Andy Gabbard), new projects (Bop English, Drinks, FFS), returning heroes (D’Angelo, Sleater Kinney), those building on the promise of successful debuts (Alabama Shakes, East India Youth, Django Django), and sooooo much more.

Personal highlights and tunes to keep a particular ear out for along the way? Young Guv’s “Ripe 4 Luv” is power-pop perfection, its approachability made all the more surprising and pleasing when you learn that the Guv is a fully-paid-up member of Fucked Up. 
Panda Bear’s debt to Brian Wilson has never been greater than it is on the gorgeous “Lonely Wanderer”, while The Weather Station are coming on Joni on “Way It Is, Way It Could Be”. If the idea of a modern-day Syd Barrett trapped inside the last third of mbv is a compelling one, then look no further than “March of Progress” by Viet Cong. 

Eaves’ over-earnest, Jeff Buckley-influenced LP did little for me, sadly, but “Spin” is easily one of my songs of the year: voice and acoustic guitar spun slowly into gold over five magical minutes. Pumped-up and dimed-out, both “Fatal Flaw” and, err, “Dimed Out” bode very well indeed for the imminent new Titus Andronicus album, and if Grimes has more where “REALiTi” came from then the second half of the year could well belong to her.

Binge, dabble, shuffle, and share with friends. New Favourite Songs and Artists are ripe for discovery here.