Depeche Mode - Little 15

Little fifteen
Why take the smooth with the rough
When things run smooth
It's already more than enough
She knows your mind
Is not yet in league
With the rest of the world
And its little intrigues
Do you understand
Do you know what she means
As time goes by
And when you've seen what she's seen
you will

Usually for TMIS, I try not to post the most popular of the classic alt tunes because we've all heard them thousands of times already. And with DM there are scores of not-singles or B-sides, and of course remixes that I love, making the unconventional choice still a smorgasborg. (But my other unwritten rule is to not post 8-minute-plus songs, so that cut it back down to size, ha!) Anyhow, I went with a track off of Music for the Masses, the 6th album and many critics fave, but a slow, steady, sweat song that I first heard when I was about 13... Ahhhh, Dave's voice back then! And now I have 15 & 13 year olds of my own, which is awesome and bittersweet. (And if this seems like a downer track for late July, buckle-up because I've been deep diving Joy Division lately...)

RIYL: You don't need me to do this for Depeche Mode, do you? But here's one anyway: Bastille

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Declan McKenna - Why Do You Feel So Down

So don't lie to me
I know I'm not as cool as I try to be
But why do you feel so down?
Again, I know I'm not a very good friend
Why do you feel so down?
Sure, that's not something I'd stick around for
Why do you feel so down?
Oh God, I know you think I'm safe and sound, I'm not
Why do you feel so down?

Declan finally released his full LP! This is the ninth track and I read it's one of the first he wrote/recorded. He's rather apologetic about it, claiming he was "a confused baby" when starting on the album and referring to this as "an almost pisstake dance tune" so I guess expect less of this mood going forward ha! But I think the sentiments here fit with all the rest we've heard from him so far - and he should cut himself a little slack, as I'm impressed with the thoughtfulness of his lyrics (speaking of all his songs collectively) and certainly don't mind if I can dance to them. 

RIYL: Sundara Karma, Lewis Del Mar, Day Wave, Atlas Genius

Moon Taxi - Two High

When you feel the world around you
Spinnin' out of control
You can find someone around you
To bring you out of the cold
But you don't ever have to hide
What you really feel inside

So put 'em up
Two high
We can walk together with our hands up in the sky
So put 'em up
Tonight
We can come together
We won't give up on the fight

It's a new single and a slightly popier new sound for Nashville quintet Moon Taxi. I'm completely distracted now, at the mention of Nashville, as we just booked our first ever visit to Music City for this September! (Of course we're there at the exact time Moon Taxi plays here, womp.)

RIYL: Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Grizfolk, Hippo Campus

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Imagine Dragons - Dancing in the Dark

Most days I'm keeping to myself
Living in my little bubble
Throwing my weight and moving my body through the sea
You could come join me
Moving like the weekend
I don't need nobody

I got a text from my Seattle SIL yesterday raving about this song and I was at a loss. See, I was a big fan of ID's debut album (and earlier indie EP) and saw them live 2-3 times during that period - they were awesome. But their sophomore album totally turned me off. And new single "Believer" seems like a dull retread (musically) of "Radioactive" so I hadn't given this third album a try. But. Now I have to say, thanks sis! This song is something special.
As an aside: (Obviously) this track shares a name with a Springsteen song - one of his best, IMO. I was both delighted and disappointed that the Imagine Dragon's release didn't turn out to be a cover, ha. (My most-favorite Springsteen? "Brilliant Disguise" hands down.)

RIYL: The Moth & The Flame, OneRepublic, Fall Out Boy

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Halsey feat. Lauren Jauregui - Strangers

She doesn't kiss me on the mouth anymore
'Cause it's more intimate
Than she thinks we should get
She doesn't look me in the eyes anymore
Too scared of what she'll see
Somebody holding me
When I wake up all alone
And I'm thinking of your skin
I remember, I remember what you told me

Said that we're not lovers
We're just strangers
With the same damn hunger
To be touched, to be loved, to feel anything at all

A post-Pride Day song on TMIS, this track from Halsey (the first single from her sophomore album) is a lesbian lovers' song. I really really dig "Ghost" from Halsey's debut (bonus video, you're welcome). I'm not sure if this one will get as much revisiting or not, but I'm looking forward to spending some time with her new album.

RIYL: Flint Eastwood, Zella Day, Lorde, Sia

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